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.
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.
Bears versus Jaguars across the pond: Game starts at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, make sure to get your players in or out of lineups before then. Teams are relatively healthy, at the skill positions anyway. Bears secondary a little banged-up, while Jaguars are just weak against the pass. Theoretically game should be higher scoring. I think Jaguars will be using a tandem backfield, and both have value.
Commanders at Ravens: Game of the Week, potentially, I'm sure they're very upset they have it buried in the early window. Brian Robinson (knee) being called a gametime decision. Between that and the tough matchup, I'm not using him. Commanders defense has struggled against both the run and the pass (Cleveland's offense doesn't count), so I'm in on Zay Flowers and would consider Likely, indeed I'm using him somewhere due to byes and whatnot. But with the Ravens putting 3 different tight ends on the field, there's some risk. Game most interesting for the QB battle.
Cardinals at Packers: Seems likely to be higher-scoring. Thumbs up on the main receivers and running backs for both. Cardinals have been surprisingly plucky in most games, but I don't think their defense will fare well against Jordan Love et al. Reed and Doubs (yes, actually) are the wide receivers I'd trust in this one from Green Bay.
Texans at Patriots: No Nico Collins, so I'm in on Diggs and Dell. Patriots defense has a rep but it's banged-up and I don't think it will limit Houston too much. Houston running backs, though, are complicated, with Dameon Pierce returning; could be him or Akers or even Dare Ogunbowale who's best. Unless Joe Mixon returns. So yeah, complicated. If Mixon is active, he's the only one I'd use. Patriots won't have Rhamondre Stevenson, so Antonio Gibson should play close to full-time, him I'd use. Drake Maye starts, some rushing potential, but passing probably won't go well.
Bucs at Saints: My son goes to South Carolina, so I watched a lot of Spencer Rattler last year. I'm hopeful for him, but not optimistic. Not keen on the Saints' passing game (but in fairness, I wasn't with Derek Carr either). Bucs are calling Rachaad White doubtful, last I knew anyway, so thumbs up on Bucky Irving as a likely full-time player; I'm using him. And typical Bucs pass catchers. I even have to use Mayfield and cross my fingers, bye week issues.
Browns at Eagles: Eagles a popular Survivor pick (for those few still alive in such pools). Doesn't seem like much hope for the Browns until they pull the plug on Deshaun. Philly defense not good so I'm sure some will be trying (by choice or probably lack thereof) Amari Cooper and/or Jerome Ford, but hard to feel good about the offense. Am using all Eagles starters, for sure, and their defense.
Colts at Titans: Very complicated situation with the Colts. Apparently Anthony Richardson returns at quarterback. But officially he's questionable. Same for Michael Pittman (back) and Josh Downs (toe). Not sure how I can recommend any of these guys on Saturday, so I won't be. No Jonathan Taylor, shocker; he has a high-ankle sprain, I don't know why they couldn't just say initially he's going to miss several weeks. Competitive advantage or whatever I guess. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson backfield. Tennessee, Tony Pollard yet, but hard to recommend wide receivers with DeAndre Hopkins playing sparingly to this point. Presumably the bye helped him get healthy, but you'd like to see it. Matchup makes him somewhat appealing, quarterback doesn't.
Chargers at Broncos: Low-scoring affair. No Gus Edwards, helping J.K. Dobbins and getting people excited about Kimani Vidal (too bad I dropped him already in the league I drafted him in and won't get him back). Regardless, Dobbins is the only Charger I'd recommend. For the Broncos, Javonte Williams and Courtland Sutton are the possibilities.
Steelers at Raiders: Russell Wilson will apparently be active for this game. Justin Fields apparently starts. Kind of a tricky situation; Mike Tomlin doesn't strike me as in-game switcher of QBs, but you never know. Offered up George Pickens for Nico Collins in dynasty. Probably not, but a win-now guy might think about it. Matchup good for Steelers, but the actual offense isn't. Najee Harris viable but unexciting, especially since Jaylen Warren will apparently return. For the Raiders, they're starting Aidan O'Connell at quarterback and probably Alexander Mattison at running back, and their current No. 1 wideout (Jakobi Meyers) is banged-up. Er, Brock Bowers seems like the lone good choice here .
Falcons at Panthers: Should not be much defense in this game, so I like the top running backs and receivers for both sides. And Kirk Cousins, sure. Not sure that Kyle Pitts will build on his good game, but I guess he's a starting option.
Lions at Cowboys: Game should be high-scoring with lots of good starters for both sides. Teams relatively healthy, with Detroit coming out of its bye, although Dallas defense banged-up (which again, is good for scoring potential). Start 'em if you got 'em, including Jalen Tolbert and even Rico Dowdle (Lions tough on the run, but Rico should get most of the work).
Bengals at Giants: Sad they couldn't flex this game out of primetime. Bengals have lots of stars but the Giants won't have their main one, Malik Nabers. New York may not have Devin Singletary, but they might, and with this being the night game, hard to know what to do with Tyrone Tracy. I'd like to use him if Singletary sits. Am using Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale, with the Bengals defense not playing well. And key Bengals offensive players, including both running backs, who are reportedly good to go despite being on injury report. Bengals are 1-4 and could/should be at least 3-2, we all have fantasy teams like that.
Bills at Jets: Important game, will be interesting to see if Saleh being fired gives the Jets a boost. Seemingly not a well-liked coach. Both defenses have struggled at times against the run. Bills won't have Khalil Shakir (I'm pretty sure) and might not have James Cook. That's a tough one, you want to use him if he plays I think, but we might not know until Monday. Ty Johnson seems like the best bet as a fill-in, although Ray Davis will also play. Dalton Kincaid my favorite Bill to use if both those guys are out.
Enjoy the games.