Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own brief take on what I think will happen, as well as touching on significant injury news since our Weekly came out. I'll check in over the course of the day to answer questions, too.
What follows is a brief look at all the games with how I'd react in my own lineups to injury developments or other news. The official rankings are the ones in the Weekly. Those take precedence. But sometimes players are very close, and in those cases I'm glad to offer opinions on how I'd approach those situations. Sometimes I like certain players more or less than Ian, and sometimes I have different risk tolerance with injuries etc.
Falcons at Jaguars: A reminder, this game starts at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday, make sure to set your lineups in time. Jags have been a little better defending the run than the pass. Falcons have been so-so against both. I think there have been examples of higher-scoring and lower-scoring games in England, but in general I feel like it should keep scoring down. But Jacksonville's passing game will get going eventually, and Kirk and Ridley (against his former team) have some appeal. Etienne, Robinson, sure.
Dolphins at Bills: I'm betting the over and using key players from both teams. Tua and Mostert have been too good to sit down the way they're playing, if healthy. Achane is a trickier case but if I had him I'd have a hard time sitting him coming off last week. You don't get credit for last week's points but it's painful to sit the hot hand and get it wrong. Diggs, Cook, Waddle, yes.
Vikings at Panthers: Bryce Young returns, which makes me a little less enthused about Adam Thielen, but I'd consider him against his former team in deeper leagues, he should see some targets. Miles Sanders (groin) officially questionable, risky to use him. Will the Vikings give Cam Akers some run? I definitely wouldn't use him but makes me a little less eager to use Alexander Mattison, besides the fact Mattison isn't very good.
Broncos at Bears: Like in the above game, one of these teams is also headed for 0-4, and the Broncos fans I know are already hoping it's them so they can draft an early quarterback next year. But bad as the Bears have been defensively, I have some interest in Denver's key offensive players -- Javonte, Courtland, Jeudy, mebbe even Wilson. For Chicago, well, Denver's defense is also bad, but I'm not sure who to recommend.
Ravens at Browns: Game should be lower-scoring. Some injured players on both sides. Sounds like Deshaun Watson will play, but maybe not well. Lamar Jackson, for his running, Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are the only Ravens I'd be considering. Both Gus Edwards and Justice Hill should play, making neither viable (and the Browns are just shutting teams downs). Amari Cooper and to a lesser extent Jerome Ford are the usable Browns. Bet the under.
Steelers at Texans: I'm a Najee Harris apologist, I'll mention that up front. I'm starting him and think this is the week he gets in the end zone. In general I like Pittsburgh's offense here. George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth too. For Houston, the passing game looks fine, though I expect it will go a little tougher for C.J. Stroud with the pass rush he's facing (though I've underestimated Stroud to this point and maybe am again). Cool on Dameon Pierce.
Rams at Colts: Anthony Richardson returns. I'd use key Colts, which are basically Richardson, Moss and Pittman, maybe Downs, and then most Rams too -- Kyren and Puka and Atwell, possibly Stafford (though most have higher-ranked options). Higbee has an injury concern, best avoided.
Bucs at Saints: Lower-scoring contest, at least based on the over-under. But if you have Kamara, you're probably using him. Derek Carr is questionable. I don't really understand how a quarterback with a sprained throwing shoulder is supposed to play. There is zero chance that I would consider him. The key receivers should be OK with Jameis Winston. For the Bucs, lesser situation for the offense all the way around.
Commanders at Eagles: I avoided the Eagles in my Survivor pool because Washington sprung an upset in Philly last season. But that might just make the Eagles less likely to look past this team, and certainly they're gonna be all over Sam Howell. Not the best week to use Brian Robinson either. If you've got D'Andre Swift, you're probably using him, and the main wideouts. Those of us with Dallas Goedert have to keep sending him out and hoping for the best too.
Bengals at Titans: You know the drill, Bengals passing game should be productive, Joe Mixon is usable for his work as a receiver, the Titans look terrible, you can use Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins but not with a lot of confidence.
Raiders at Chargers: Game should be higher-scoring. I am using, but not recommending, Joshua Kelley. He was lousy in his other two fill-in games and I can't even guarantee they won't work in some other back in this one. But I don't have a better option, so hopefully he punches in a 1-yard touchdown at some point. I'll also be using Joshua Palmer in a couple spots, and most key Raiders (Jacobs and the wideouts).
Patriots at Cowboys: I put down an anytime touchdown bet on Ezekiel Elliott. What the heck. Belichick has done this type of thing before, Elliott will be pumped and hey he's been running better than Rhamondre Stevenson anyway. Otherwise, I'm not too interested in New England's offense. For Dallas, Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb, and everyone else looks sketchy. Maybe Jake Ferguson.
Cardinals at 49ers: Went with the 49ers in my Survivor pool. They've looked like the league's best team so far. Cardinals upset Dallas last week but I'm not seeing it two weeks in a row. Blown out in both of last year's meetings. Offense should struggle. Deebo Samuel questionable for San Francisco and I'm wary enough that I'd sit him for a player that's too far below him in the rankings. If I were hoping to use him, I'd be watching the morning shows closely tomorrow. Risky. Thumbs up on Aiyuk and Kittle.
Kansas City at Jets: Hasn't taken long for Kelce-Swift talk to go from humorous to tedious. Anyway, Kansas City's offense should be fine, despite the tough matchup, I'd use Mahomes-Kelce-Pacheco and maybe McKinnon. For the Jets, er, Garrett Wilson and cross my fingers. That be it.
Seahawks at Giants: I live in New York, and I have no idea why the Jets and Giants are monopolizing the primetime games early on. The Jets were supposed to be good, OK, but this is the Giants' third primetime game in the first four weeks of the season. Why? Game seems like it would be higher scoring, and I'd use the key Seahawks. For the Giants, Saquon Barkley might play. If he's active, I suppose I'd use him, but prefer a fully healthy player. Darren Waller yes and Daniel Jones sure, matchup is fine.
Enjoy the games.