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.
Lions at Ravens: Jahmyr Gibbs returns and should get most of the work in this one, with Craig Reynolds (assuming he plays) the other part of the committee in a tough matchup with a really good defense. If I had Gibbs I would probably use him, but expectations should be modest (which applies to Reynolds, who’s questionable with a hamstring injury). Amon-Ra, Zay Flowers and the tight ends are the compelling players in this matchup. Lamar Jackson too. And that's about it. Jared Goff will need to lead the offense, but unlikely he posts big numbers. Six teams on bye and a bunch of backups starting, though, you could do worse than Goff.
Raiders at Bears: Speaking of worse than Goff. Or at least lesser-known. Las Vegas will reportedly go with Brian Hoyer in hopes of game-managing a win over the Tyson Balent-led Bears. I'm comfortable using the Raiders' various top players. For Chicago, I'll sign off on DJ Moore and maybe Cole Kmet (Balent looked capable in August), and D'Onta Foreman (starting again with Roschon Johnson still out two and a half weeks after suffering a concussion, which is obviously not a good thing to hear). I will make mention of my Survivor Pool here. I'm not using the Raiders, but with them starting a veteran and playing better defense than expected, they're an intriguing possibility in a rough week.
Browns at Colts: Deshaun Watson will apparently return, which is a plus for Cleveland's offense. Kareem Hunt is banged-up and iffy, so Jerome Ford gets a boost, ranked appropriately in the Friday update. I don't have any good answers for the Colts backfield but I'll continue to leave Zack Moss on the bench. They're paying Jonathan Taylor good money, presumably not to be a committee back for much longer. Gardner Minshew is fine for the prospects of Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.
Bills at Patriots: The Patriots have been blown out a couple of times, so some might scoff at the idea they still have a good defense. But some of the scoring against them has been other teams' defenses, and short fields and whatnot. Whatever, no one should be thinking about benching Josh Allen or Stefon Diggs, but I also wouldn't go crazy using Gabe Davis and either tight end. James Cook will get most of the carries and has a pass catching role, most will be starting him. For the Patriots, well, it's a tough defense they're facing, and their offense isn't doing much. Rhamondre is the closest there is to a highlight, but it's a low bar.
Commanders at Giants: Neither defense has been great. But the Giants have been worse against the run and I'm using Brian Robinson (while conceding they haven't always committed to him, so I'm not calling him a must-start or anything). Washington worse versus the pass than the run, but Saquon Barkley is far and away New York's best player, so he's the one I'd start. Darren Waller and maybe Wan'Dale Robinson too.
Falcons at Bucs: Battle for supremacy in the NFC South? Somebody has to win the division, and the Bucs have exceeded expectations. I considered them as a Survivor pick, but hard to get on board with Baker Mayfield. Bucs have played well defensively, but I'd use the key Falcons starters. Key Bucs (Godwin, Evans, mebbe Rachaad White for volume) too.
Steelers at Rams: If I were using a Rams running back, it would be Zach Evans. But in general, given the uncertainty and 3-4 reasonable candidates, best to be careful using a Rams running back. I like their passing game more. For the Steelers, both wideouts and to a lesser extent both running backs make sense, with 6 teams on bye. No Pat Freiermuth.
Cardinals at Seahawks: I went with the Seahawks as my Survivor pick. Don't feel great about it but they're home, they're better, the Cardinals don't have a running back. But not a pick I'll sign off on dramatically more than the other candidates. DK Metcalf a gametime decision, best avoided if you have a comparably ranked option. Maybe Joshua Dobbs' last game as a starter in Arizona, though we'll see.
Packers at Broncos: For a team that reportedly is open for business the Broncos are kind of dragging their feet. They've still got Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton around, they'll be using a committee at running back. Packers have the nicer matchup, but Aaron Jones is apparently still not 10o percent from his hamstring injury, perhaps another setback, making him a little risky (and needs to be confirmed he's active). I like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs here.
Chargers at Kansas City: So the Kansas City defense seems to be legit. Not to overrate them shutting down the Broncos in their last game, but they've been playing well all along. I think the game will be higher scoring but can't assume a 34-28 type of game, either. But am definitely using key Kansas City starters, and Herbert-Ekeler-Allen and maybe Palmer for the Chargers.
Dolphins at Eagles: Game of the Week, and I think a start-em-if-you-got-em type of game. Sometimes there are surprises with defenses rising up and all, but two talent-laden offenses and I think it's a week to use all 4 wide receivers, and presumably you're using both starting quarterbacks and running backs anyway. Sunday night has had some duds (quick thought, maybe don't put the Giants and Jets there every week), but this should be a lot more fun to watch.
49ers at Vikings: It feels like the Viking are catching the 49ers on the wrong week, and I'd be using key starters for San Francisco. The big question is at running back, where Christian McCaffrey's availability can't be taken for granted, and since it's a Monday night game you need to make a decision on him before knowing for sure. Ideally you also have Jordan Mason, and can use him if necessary, or can put McCaffrey in a flex spot and sub in some Vikings wideout or something if need me. Or we'll have full clarity by tomorrow afternoon. Decent Monday game at least.
Enjoy the games.