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!
Saints and Steelers across the pond: First game in Paris. New Orleans can't stop anyone. so I'm interested in key Steelers. Wanted to use No. 2 Rico Dowdle, but after missing time with a toe injury he's now limited with a knee injury, so I'm not certain he's playing. Saints will again have an ugly Alvin Kamara-Kendre Miller tandem at running back. Some civil unrest in Paris these days hopefully not a problem at the game.
49ers at Falcons: On the one hand, I love Brock Purdy and the Niners passing game this week, because Atlanta has shown no ability to stop it this year. On the other hand, San Francisco's top 3 receivers are going to be Brandin Cooks, Christian Kirk (assuming he's activated), and Jordan Watkins, which is a bit of drop from Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. Receiving overs for George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey should be considered. Atlanta won't have Brian Robinson and as we speak Bijan is the only healthy running back on their roster, so he'll be busy. As discussed in the Weekly, my reservation with Cooks is that he was the only healthy wideout for most of last week's game and he caught only 1 pass. Tough to count on him catching 5-6, same deal with Kirk or Watkins.
Bengals at Ravens: I expect Lamar Jackson to play, but it's not a given. Matchup is good, but a guy coming back from a high-ankle sprain may opt to run a little less. Zay Flowers and key Bengals starters look fine. Derrick Henry should be productive this week.
Bucs at Panthers: I considered Carolina in the Survivor pool I'm still alive in this week (half the pool was bounced last week with the Rams losing to the Cardinals). Like them more before Baker Mayfield was slated to return, however. Bucs won't have Emeka Egbuka, making Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Cade Otton and probably the running backs the main receivers. Carolina offense should be good, it has been all year, but the Bucs D has exceeded expectations at times. Thinking about Egbuka (and Mike Evans), this is another year where a striking number of wide receivers are battling injuries while starting running backs are (comparatively) healthy. Weird.
Giants at Texans: I made Houston my Survivor pick. Don't feel great about it, it's a tough week. (Minnesota is my favorite but I've used them.) I like Woody Marks as Houston's healthy running back. C.J. Stroud and the passing game are playing well. Giants turning to J.J. McCarthy, which I think I scoffed at recently. Houston has some defensive injuries, including two starters in the secondary, so McCarthy might have some success, and we know he'll run some. But he'll also probably turn it over and take some sacks. Anything is possible in this one. Including at running back for the Giants, where after being burned badly by both Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris in recent weeks I'm staying well away. If you ask me to recommend Tyrone Tracy, Skattebo or Devin Singletary, I will not be doing so. Nabers and Likely my favorite Giants this week, and this season.
Colts at Vikings: Jordan Mason returns, probably in a committee against a struggling Colts defense. Vikings main receivers also look good. Jonathan Taylor is great and Keenan Allen has been pretty good, but tough defense they face. No Tyler Warren, unfortunately.
Dolphins at Jets: Breece Hall may play, usable if so, Braelon Allen if not. Ollie Gordon for the Dolphins. Caleb Douglas returns, but I'm largely steering clear of the Dolphins passing game if possible. Garrett Wilson yes, other Jets receivers no thank you.
Browns at Titans: Just when you thought Dolphins-Jets was the least enticing matchup this week from a fantasy or any other perspective, we got Browns and Titans. Quinshon Judkins returns. Game should be lower-scoring. Hard to come up with an exciting prospect from this game, especially on the Tennessee side of things. I'm streaming the Titans defense because Deshaun Watson takes a lot of sacks.
Broncos at Cardinals: In several leagues I drafted Trevor Lawrence as my starter and Bo Nix as my backup. So this week I'm starting Nix in multiple leagues, hoping he's way, way better than he's been in any game to this point. The matchup is promising, just, we haven't actually seen it from Denver's offense. They may get Jonah Coleman back, making a two-back committee into three. I believe Coleman should be rostered but not started this week. Arizona won't have Jeremiyah Love, leaving us with a Tyler Allgeier-Bam Knight committee. Not enticing. Hoping Michael Wilson returns to how well he was producing when Marvin Harrison was around.
Packers at Lions: Offensive showcase of the week. I couldn't give Jordan Love away in the offseason in my dynasty league, now he's tearing it up. Josh Jacobs probably returns. I'll rank him favorably because he's the most likely guy to carry the ball and score for Green Bay, but let's keep expectations in check. I think he's played his best football, Green Bay's line isn't very good, and it's a pass-first offense these days against a terrible pass defense. But yeah if I had Jacobs anywhere I'd probably be starting him. Detroit skill guys too.
Rams at Raiders: Speaking of wide receiver injuries. Davante is out and Puka seems pretty unlikely to be available. Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee, those are probably the guys. Raiders could definitely win this game, as the Rams continue to struggle.
Kansas City at Seahawks: No Rashee, no Charbonnet. Should be some defense played this week, though I'll sign off on Kenneth Walker against his former team and Xavier Worthy as the top wideout. Seattle will roll out its Emanuel Wilson and George Holani tandem, mostly Wilson, but not a great matchup. Kind of expect Kansas City to keep things going here. Would likely bet the under.
Cowboys at Eagles: Again: receiver injuries. Seems like the Eagles will be going without DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and maybe Dallas Goedert. No Jalen Hurts of course. Oh, but they might get Saquon Barkley back. Dallas offense comparatively healthy, but has played two poor games in a row and does better in this series at home. Seems like an ugly Monday night game, but I think if you have key Cowboys you're probably starting them, and hoping the Eagles D, beaten down by all the offensive injuries, mails it in.
Enjoy the games.
