Normally I'd be doing DFS 50/50 predictions on Sundays. But as I've said before, this is an unusual season with the potential for impossible-to-predict, late-morning breaking news. Strained hamstrings aren't contagious; COVID is.
So rather than toss out a 50/50 that could miss out on a sudden 10am "out" designation for a team's bellcow, creating a perfect-storm RB1/2 opening for a terrific handcuff, I want to briefly talk through what, to me, is the most interesting fantasy implication of each Sunday game:
Bears vs. Giants -- Is David Montgomery the preseason bargain I thought he was, and will I remain ticked off that an opponent snagged him one pick before mine? I believe the answer is yes, and that's why I've been trying to buy low (but my opponent wisely won't budge). And is Darius Slayton officially a weekly starter? Or will Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and especially Saquon Barkley (not to mention a healthy Golden Tate) keep Slayton out of the all-important top 25?
Cowboys vs. Falcons -- Is Amari Cooper the clear-cut #1 receiver? As shared previously, I have serious doubts. Similarly, is Calvin Ridley poised to supplant Julio Jones as the #1 fantasy wideout in Atlanta? Imagine a scenario where CeeDee Lamb or Michael Gallup is a top-16 WR and Ridley is top 8? Entirely possible, and would that mean Amari and Julio would lag behind?
Packers vs. Lions -- In Aaron Rodgers' heyday, he had at least two exceptional receivers to throw to. Last year, it was largely Davante Adams or bust. Could Marquez Valdes-Scantling be that reliable #2--an 80/950/7 receiver? This week his picture will get clearer. And can Adrian Peterson lead Detroit's backfield this season? We've all learned not to bet against AP. But still, Kerryon Johnson and D'Andre Swift aren't exactly UFDAs.
Titans vs. Jaguars -- With A.J. Brown sidelined, can Corey Davis's brief revival continue? He's talented enough to take back the #1 job from Brown if Brown's healthy. First he needs to prove Week 1 wasn't a fluke. Meanwhile, in recent seasons the Jags have almost never had the same #1 receiver from one year to the next: Cecil Shorts (2013), Allen Hurns (2014), Allen Robinson (2015 and 2016), Keelan Cole (2017), Dede Westbrook (2018), D.J. Chark (2019). Will Laviska Shenault undercut Chark in 2020?
Colts vs. Vikings -- Can we assume Jonathan Taylor is now a top-14 RB? I believe so. And is there any reason to worry about Dalvin Cook? Despite posting terrific fantasy numbers last year, he exceeded 3.4 YPC only once in his final six games of 2019 (a 3.7 YPC effort), and Alexander Mattison has looked better on the ground.
Dolphins vs. Bills -- Will any Miami RB be fantasy relevant this year? And will we get a better read on the RB battle in Buffalo (I'm still betting on Zack Moss).
Jets vs. 49ers -- Is Frank Gore the #1 RB, and can he somehow earn a tighter grip on the (temporary?) job while Le'Veon Bell's sidelined? For San Francisco, who will emerge as Jimmy G's #1 target with George Kittle out?
Eagles vs. Rams -- I want to see if Miles Sanders is really an RB1. Too soon to know, obviously. But this game will offer some clues. And the Rams' backfield is a fantasy mess, so I want to know if Malcom Brown is capable of holding off two more highly touted youngsters.
Steelers vs. Broncos -- James Conner vs. Benny Snell for Pittsburgh. A huge battle. And will Melvin Gordon shine without Phillip Lindsay?
Buccaneers vs. Panthers -- Who's the 1A in Tampa Bay's backfield--not just this week, but the next few weeks at least? As for Carolina, can Robby Anderson continue to stake a claim as the #1 receiver?
Cardinals vs. Washington -- Christian Kirk will rebound. He has to. If he doesn't, what not? And this is another backfield that needs some shaking out, fantasy-wise. Antonio Gibson doesn't profile as anything close to a bellcow.
Chargers vs. Chiefs -- Can Tyrod Taylor be capable? I believe he can be more than that. But he needs to prove it soon with Justin Herbert waiting in the wings. And is Sammy Watkins ready to return to the 60-catch, 1,000-yard club for the first time in five long years? Really, who would have thought back in early 2016 that we'd be saying this today?
Texans vs. Ravens -- Who will be Deshaun Watson's #2 wideout? Houston supposedly has plenty of options. My vote is a healthy Brandin Cooks. As for Baltimore, can J.K. Dobbins begin to overtake Mark Ingram?
Seahawks vs. Patriots -- Will Carlos Hyde keep Chris Carson out of the RB1 tier? And can N'Keal Harry be the reliable #2 wideout Cam Newton and Bill Belichick desperately need?
Good luck today.