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. If I don't answer your question, either I missed it (it happens) or the rankings are very clear. An important note: I have more agency with the rankings than in the past. What this means is that if one guy is ranked 4-5 spots over another, it's very unlikely I'll sabotage the rankings by recommending the lower player. But I will offer thought processes on why one guy is higher or lower. OK, on to the games!
Chargers at Bills: "Why is Justin Herbert ranked so favorably, he's terrible?" The Bills will probably be scoring a ton of points and Herbert will be passing a lot trying to catch up, finishing with solid production if fantasy leagues even if the best thing about him right now is his attractive girlfriend. DJ Moore is iffy, I think he's playing even if he can't raise both arms above his head. Dalton Kincaid looks like Buffalo's No. 1. Ladd McConkey fine. Glancing at weather.com it looks like the worst of the rain and wind potential is after the game, but we'll see.
Panthers at Browns: Will be interesting to see if Cleveland fans decide, hey, we like this Deshaun Watson guy after all! If the Browns win this game. Both offenses a little better than expected so far. Cleveland rookie wideouts look viable, so do a pair of Panthers wide receivers. Chuba Hubbard featured because Jonathon Brooks hurt, sorry man.
Jets at Lions: Look I like Jared Goff. He's a nice best-ball quarterback since he'll have some big weeks. But those will usually come in shootouts, which I don't think the Jets will keep up their end of. Understand that the Weekly rankings are based on stats projections which are explained in the text. We're not just looking at a list of names and saying This quarterback is more talented than this quarterback we'll rank him higher. Some sites or AI rankings might do that, we don't. OK, as for the game, I really want to use Adonai Mitchell with the Jets probably playing catchup for at least some of this, but he's got a finger injury so might be iffy. Receivers need their fingers. I like Kenyon Sadiq as a sleeper tight end, with Mason Taylor out. Lions offense should be pretty good. Even Goff, though I think it'll be more Gibbs.
Texans at Colts: No Nico Collins or Alec Pierce. Colts gotta be having second thoughts about dumping Michael Pittman and giving Pierce big money only to have their top wideouts be Josh Downs and Laquon Treadwell. I like Downs this week. For the Texans I guess it's Kayshon Boutte, Dalton Schultz and Xavier Hutchinson leading the way. Both teams should run a lot.
Patriots at Jaguars: Both offenses have talent but both defenses are good. Cool on the quarterbacks in this specific matchup and not crazy about the backfield tandems either. Parker Washington and to a lesser extent Romeo Doubs as each team's No. 1. And the defenses perhaps. Important game, such as they are in Week 3.
Kansas City at Dolphins: Well, the Dolphins are home, so they've got that going for them. Other than that, Kansas City is the obvious survivor pick of the week, for those who haven't already been bounced. One of my entries was gone on Thursday, thanks Green Bay. Good week to start all Kansas City players. For Miami, there's DeVon Achane. Caleb Douglas is out, leaving the Dolphins with Malik Washington and Chris Bell (he's not 100 percent either). Should be fun for fans of Patrick Mahomes and company.
Titans at Giants: It'll be a clash of giant or titanic players, with a hurricane or Noreaster or whatever the catch phrase is. I live in New York so I can tell you, yes, it's supposed to be rainy and windy. Granted Jameis Winston can throw a bunch of errant passes with no weather at play. I'm using Skattebo and would use Pollard (Spears is iffy, helping Pollard's appeal as more of a full-time guy potentially). Using Nabers and Likely assuming it's possible to pass the ball. We'll have to see Sunday morning, though. Worth looking out the window for those of us who live here and checking weather.com for those who don't. If I don't post about it Sunday morning, it might be because we're sitting around in the dark.
Bengals at Steelers: As if Pittsburgh's offense didn't look bad enough, Michael Pittman and Jaylen Warren are both questionable and Rico Dowdle is out. And the Bengals defense is improved. Other than that, Pittsburgh offense looks great. I like Pat Freiermuth and DK Metcalf, and Warren assuming he's active and stuff. Bengals offense should be fine.
Seahawks at Commanders: Marcus Mariota leads Washington into battle against probably the league's best defense. No thanks. Seattle gets Sam Darnold back, Jaxson Smith-Njigba is tearing up the league, and Washington defense still looks bad. I'll probably be using Jadarian Price where I have him, but yes, Seattle will be using a committee. I am aware.
Cardinals at 49ers: San Francisco defense looks tough but there are a couple of injuries which maybe make using Michael Wilson and Jeremiyah Love viable. Trey McBride of course. For San Francisco, their offense looks great. Mike Evans is the only iffy starter because of him dealing with a couple of injuries as per usual. But Deebo, Kittle, that running back and quarterback of theirs, sure.
Vikings at Bucs: Probably a more defensive-oriented game, but there will be some offense, and guys like Jefferson and Aaron Jones look fine for Minnesota, and I'd try Egbuka and Irving for the Bucs. Bucs desperately need a win, even though I expected 9-8 to win the NFC South (last year of course it was 8-9).
Ravens and Cowboys in Brazil: Zay Flowers is the tricky one. I expect him to be inactive, but we'll see. I wouldn't use him. Baltimore's remaining offense should be good. I have to sign off on Rashod Bateman because he did well last week as the top option, it's just most of the rest of his career that sucks. Dallas offense should be fine at least passing it, and Javonte Williams will be involved as a receiver.
Raiders at Saints: Saints offense looks good, I'm not a Travis Etienne fan per se, but he's healthy and should be the lead back. They paid him a lot of money for some reason, presumably not to let Alvin Kamara go out and averaged a yard and a half per catch and two yards per carry. Brock Bowers the key question here. Expected to return, limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, didn't practice at all on Friday. Klint Kubiak says that was always the plan. I've been following the NFL for a long time and I've never heard of a "plan" which involves keeping a player out of practice on Friday who you're planning on starting on Sunday. So yeah, I'm concerned about Bowers returning in Week 3.
Rams at Broncos: No Puka. No Jonah Coleman for Denver. Should be a good game, with a pair of highly regarded offensive minds overseeing things and a couple of great defenses. Tricky to get too high on players in this game, though, given the quality of the opposition.
Eagles at Bears: So many injuries in this one. It's Week 3. And since it's a Monday, decisions even trickier. Here's the rundown. Eagles won't have Dallas Goedert, otherwise seems like they're OK, although DeVonta Smith has a hamstring injury so would be nice to see him practice fully today. Bears starting Case Keenum at quarterback, most likely, which is a real negative against a tough Eagles defense, making me very cool on all those receivers we loved back in May and August. Revenge game for D'Andre Swift I guess, either way he and Kyle Monangai should be the focus of the offense. Because Keenum is 38 years old and last started a game in 2023.
Enjoy the games.
