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!
Ravens at Bills: Lamar Jackson returns, helping the Ravens offense look better. Bills have both DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid questionable. In general I expect them to play and am using them, but if debating similarly ranked players, I'd go with the healthier one. Although there aren't a lot of them right now, it seems. Game should be higher-scoring, at least based on last year's 41-40 game, and the way both offenses (and the Bills defense) have performed.
Titans at Bengals: No Tyjae Spears or Carnell Tate for the Titans. As a result I'm interested in Tony Pollard more than usual, and perhaps Wan'Dale Robinson. Would not go down the road of starting Calvin Ridley or any other components of the Tennessee passing game. Bengals a popular Survivor pick, even though I got bounced last week with the Texans over the Giants, which I didn't really want to go with but did it anyway, that's how to not win Survivor Pools. Bengals offense should be good, Tennessee traded away its franchise defensive player last week.
Cardinals at Cowboys: Probably not gonna be a defensive struggle. Jeremiyah Love returns, and I'd probably use him, hoping he's not going to hobble off with an aggravated ankle injury. AZ may opt to employ a three-back committee, that's the negative. George Pickens questionable but I expect he'll play.
Viking at Lions: Interesting matchup. Shutdown defense versus high-powered offense. Struggling offense versus terrible defense. I think in general you're starting stars, wary of mediocre guys. Vikings have a tandem backfield, at least the defense they're facing can't stop anyone.
Colts at Jaguars: Jacksonville another Survivor pick this week. Colts have been bad and the fire sale began last week, hard to see that inspiring the players who are left. Josh Downs wants to be traded. Sure man you've put so much great stuff on film this year it'll be a hot market. Tyler Warren returns, might be their top receiver. Jaguars might not have Jakobi Meyers, which may have some people excited about Travis Hunter. I mean, yes, he's one of several possibilities to have a good game, along with Josh Cameron, Brian Thomas, Brenton Strange and of course Parker Washington. I like Hunter's talent but I'm not gonna recommend a guy who played 9 offensive snaps last game, even though he was great with them.
Raiders at Jets: I'm interested in the Jets starting running back, once we find out who that will be. Which will be tomorrow at around 11:30 Eastern, which will feel like 12:30 Eastern, if I've got Daylight Savings Time straight in my head. Neither defense good so there should be some production from offensive guys.
Browns at Steelers: These teams played a higher-scoring game not too long ago, but no one believes it I guess because the over-under is like 39.5. Good game last week for Quinshon but I'm not sure it will happen again against the Steelers. Jaylen Warren good, I'm interested in the main wideouts for each team.
Falcons at Bucs: No Emeka Egbuka, leaving Tampa Bay with Chris Godwin and a couple of youngsters as their main wideouts against a lousy Falcons pass defense. Gotta recommend Godwin I guess, but the Bucs will probably be throwing to running backs and tight ends and trying to work the run. Falcons, Pitts and London and Bijan, sure. NFC South, not the prettiest division, yet again.
Chargers at Rams: Speaking of not pretty. Chargers have a healthy Ladd McConkey and probably Tre Harris, that helps. But still a broken offense with little reason to think it will get better here. Rams offense should be very good, although the receiver injuries are tricky. Will they have a viable 2nd wideout, or go with 3 tight ends again? Can they go with 3 tight ends with Colby Parkinson iffy? I would use both Rams running backs this week and Higbee IF Parkinson inactive.
Kansas City at Broncos: Rashee Rice returns, he and Kelce and Kenneth Walker all viable this week. Mahomes too. Denver defense gets Patrick Surtain back, but has some other key injuries on that side of the ball, with Hufanga out and Zach Allen questionable. On offense, no RJ Harvey, who apparently injured a knee in practice. A significant loss I fear, but a reason to be higher on Jonah Coleman, who should get most of the passing downs chances. Jaylen Waddle (chest) may not play. I would like Denver's chances more in this game if they were healthier. A Kansas City win all but secures the AFC West at midseason.
Patriots at Dolphins: A.J. Brown trade working out great for the Patriots so far. He's questionable with knee and ankle injuries and didn't practice yesterday, so it seems poor for his odds of playing. Pats should win, because it's the Dolphins, and I like Rhamondre here. For Miami, gotta use a youngster as productive as Ollie Gordon has been with nothing around him.
Eagles at Commanders: Why we have to get this eyesore in primetime is beyond me. What's the rationale for Flex scheduling only being available later in the year? If there's a primetime showcase in Week 8 that looks god freaking awful, move it out of the night time window. Please. Saquon Barkley should play, and he'll be busy with the Eagles otherwise being gutted by injury. Washington's offense doesn't have Terry McLaurin and its backfield will be Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy Freaking McNichols, which is what I would call a lousy group for running the ball (but I do like White here, since he should be featured, given the alternatives). Dallas Goedert and Makai Lemon are the interesting Eagles receivers, Stefon Diggs and to a lesser extent Antonio Williams for Washington. Because both defenses suck.
Bears at Seahawks: Should be a lower-scoring Monday night game, I know Caleb Williams is great, so is Seattle's defense. Chicago won't have Kyle Monangai, again, it seems. Seattle backfield even hazier, with Emanuel Wilson a definite but Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price both uncertain (and may not be clear if they'll be active at all until Monday). Yeah, I think that's it. Oh yeah, Colston Loveland (neck) uncertain too.
Have some candy tonight, and enjoy the games.
