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. If I don't answer your question, either I missed it (it happens) or the rankings are very clear.
Rams versus Jaguars across the pond: Some discussion over whether these international games are lower scoring. Prompted by Jets-Broncos last week. Looking at the history of England games specifically, including that last one, it can be said that we've got an ugly string where only once did both teams score more than 17 points. Previous 9: 21-17, 23-7, 25-20, 24-16, 23-17, 35-16, 32-16, 21-17, 14-11. Prior to those games there were a few in a row where both teams scored in the 20s, and that was in 2022, so not a long-standing history of defensive struggles. Whatever, no one should count on Rams-Jags being 30-27. No Puka, I'm interested in Jordan Whittington catching 5-6 passes. I also like Brian Thomas.
Saints at Bears: Teams are healthy, offenses a little better than defenses, nothing special to add on this one. DJ Moore is I guess the tricky one, you rank him as the No. 2, but hard to feel good about starting him. Running backs looks fine, Caleb too.
Dolphins at Browns: Miami D bad, and weather a possible factor. Running backs look good on both sides (more short receptions than running for Achane. No David Njoku, so Harold Fannin should see most of the targets. With the WRs, best to see what the actual conditions look like before investing too heavily in Waddle or Jeudy.
Raiders at Kansas City: KC is the chalk pick for Survivor Pools. I considered them. Sometimes the Raiders have played them close, including last year. Rashee Rice returns, I'd use him if I had him. Raiders seemingly set to have Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker as their top options, with Brock Bowers expected to miss another game (he's "Doubtful" but should be ruled out today) and Jakobi Meyers iffy.
Eagles at Vikings: So Philly has lost two straight and should be focused here, but Carson Wentz has revenge on his mind and there's that angle, too. Hard to know what you'll get from the Eagles offense and hard to count on Devonta and A.J. Brown. I like Barkley here and Vikings wideouts, iffy on the other choices. Jordan Mason seems OK.
Panthers at Jets: No Garrett Wilson. Mason Taylor makes the most sense as a receiver to consider for New York, but after getting burned last week I have a big of a grudge. For Carolina, I'm thinking 60-40 or 65-35 Dowdle versus Hubbard. So I'll pass on Chuba and start Dowdle as ranked. Tetairoa, sure, Sauce and all. Breece Hall too.
Patriots at Titans: Went with New England as my survivor pick. Tennesse might get a small boost from the new coach, but the old coach Mike Vrabel facing the team that fired him seems like the better intangible to invest in. And the Patriots are just quite a bit better on offense and defense, if we care about that kind of thing. Hard to recommend any of the running backs in this game. Drake Maye and probably Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry seem best.
Giants at Broncos: Broncos should be good here, but nobody who watched last week's Jets game can be confident. I do think their defense will cause problems for Jaxson Dart, and of course New York looking at Wan'Dale Robinson as its No. 1 wideout. Cam Skattebo sure, but mostly in PPR (not expecting big rushing numbers). Like J.K. Dobbins some here, and Sutton and Engram too.
Colts at Chargers: Should be a good game and an important one for the AFC. Not fully sold on Indy and I think this defense will slow them down somewhat, but as noted the Chargers haven't been quite as tough as last year. Kimani Vidal, if you have him I think you're probably using him, but I'm not exactly a believer yet. Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren the no-doubters for me. Quentin Johnston returns, but that's a negative in giving LA three wideouts who could all be the No. 1s this week. Trust the rankings is my advice here. should be a good game, I wonder if Philip Rivers will show up.
Packers at Cardinals: I'm expecting a comfortable Green Bay win, and that the clock is ticking on Jonathan Gannon. He's had some bad luck and stuff. Might be mismanaging the Kyler Murray situation somewhat, or Murray a coach-killer, I don't know. Sounds like probably Jacoby Brissett. Honestly whoever starts is going to struggle, I think. I'll sign off Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison, but that's it. For Green Bay, Love-Jacobs-Kraft and maybe Doubs-Golden. Some of us have to start a Cardinals running back but don't expect much.
Commanders at Cowboys: Schwing. Offenses should be ahead of defenses here. CeeDee says he's fine, I'm starting him. We also have George Pickens and Deebo Samuel really high, hopeful Deebo's fully healthy, that's one to monitor the Sunday morning updates on. Matchup couldn't be better, apparently Trevon Diggs is out after being injured...at his home? Zach Ertz yes, and Luke McCaffrey as at least a viable option. JCM (I'm trying to make JCM a think for Jacory Croskey-Merritt, I hate typing out the whole thing and lukewarm on his Bill nickname too).
Falcons at 49ers: Falcons getting a little more primetime run than I personally would like. San Francisco, I guess they merit it, but a lot of backups on the field, schedule makers didn't know that. Whatever. Bijan, Drake, yes, Kyle sure, George Kittle also returns. San Fran wideouts: Bourne yes, Jauan Jennings I'll pass. Have to use Mac Jones somewhere and he's ranked favorably, but in general if I have someone ranked similarly I'd probably use the other guy.
Bucs at Lions: Also know as the Monday night game people will be watching, especially those of us on the East Coast. Mike Evans uncertain. Probably playing, but not 100 percent sure (and it's Monday, so your pivoting options are slim). I wouldn't use Tez or Cameron, but would use Sterling Shepard and Cade Otton. Detroit healthy facing a vulnerable pass defense. Not crazy about David Montgomery here.
Texans at Seahawks: Starts at 10 p.m. Eastern on Monday night. Around my house that's called bedtime. Also both defenses pretty good. Nico Collins and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the only no-doubt starters in this game. Everyone else can be debated and probably left on benches, yes including Kenneth Walker. Enjoy this one, those of you who can stay up for the thing.
Enjoy the games.