As always, here's the biggest fantasy angle I'm following in tomorrow's games. "Fantasy angle" means someone's likely to bolster their fantasy value, or else it'll change pretty dramatically. If we're not paying attention, we might miss out on an impending riser, or else get stuck with someone whose value plummets before we have time to trade him away.
Bears vs. Texans -- Chicago might not get many better opportunities to get the most (or at least "more) from Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. I'm expecting 12+ combined targets for these two. Anything less, and one or the other could be in for a very long season. And is Dameon Pierce startable in fantasy? He's a pressure-point RB: a starter who might not score enough or get enough looks to be dependable.
Titans vs. Raiders -- If Derrick Henry can't get going, then what are we waiting for? Most of his matchups from Weeks 4 to 13 are between "challenging" and "pretty brutal." He's averaging less than 3.0 YPC in his last five games. Dontrell Hilliard looks like a goo bet to return. Is Henry simply a glorified Rashaad Penny at this stage? And with Hunter Renfrow out, can Mack Hollins step up and solidify not only the #3 WR job, but also deep-league streamability going forward?
Colts vs. Chiefs -- Are the Colts in or out on Nyheim Hines? After averaging 9.5 touches per game two years ago, he dropped to 6.2 last season. Now he's at 7.0 through two games. Will he be streamable at 9-10 touches, or continually benchable at 6-7? And is Clyde Edwards-Helaire for real? If he can stomp over the Colts, he'll be in the best depth-chart posision he's been in since entering the league.
Dolphins vs. Bills -- Are Chase Edmonds or Raheem Mostert unstartable? I've been saying yes the past couple weeks, and nothing I've seen has changed that. But if Mostert is the "better" back, we shouldn't be the surprised if Miami goes with the hot hand. And similarly, I'm wondering if Devin Singletary will scuffle his way through half a season or more, just like last year. Not his fault, it seems. Buffalo seems content to keep three RBs engaged.
Vikings vs. Lions -- Can we give up on Adam Thielen, or will he reach 1,000 yards and eight TDs by virtue of being the clear #2 receiver in a pass-friendly offense? He's older now, but I'm still banking on him to break through. Similarly, D.J. Chark is either rosterable or droppable. I think the former; some think the latter. Tomorrow we'll have more clarity.
Patriots vs. Ravens -- Damien Harris vs. Rhamondre Stevenson. So far, Harris remains the 1A. Curious whether this is the way it's going to be. And what will the Ravens' backfield do -- specifically, if J.K. Dobbins returns? And if he sits again, can anyone step up as a reliable #2?
Jets vs. Bengals -- A lot of folks are now on the Garrett Wilson bandwagon, for good reason. A few weeks ago, some couldn't stop talking about Elijah Moore, for good reason. And then there's Corey Davis. Will there be a pecking order before we exit September? And I'm still watching Joe Mixon closely.
Commanders vs. Eagles -- Curtis Samuel: wow. Never saw it coming. Hard to bet against him. But three straight seems like a longshot. Philly will be ready. And can we trust DeVonta Smith as a weekly fantasy starter?
Panthers vs. Saints -- What do we do with D.J. Moore? From where I'm sitting, it looks like Baker-OBJ all over again. A fantastic receiver rendered useless in fantasy because of his quarterback. And will Chris Olave or Jarvis Landry step up as the #2 behind Michael Thomas (assuming Thomas is the #1)?
Chargers vs. Jaguars -- We don't yet know if Justin Herbert will play. Either way, a lot more pressure on an underperforming Austin Ekeler. And can Marvin Jones outperform Zay Jones, or will they continue to cancel each other out?
Cardinals vs. Rams -- If Greg Dortch plays well again, what do we do with Rondale Moore? And does this completely undercut Marquise Brown and (eventually) DeAndre Hopkins? For L.A., Cam Akers or Darrell Henderson? My money's still on Akers.
Seahawks vs. Falcons -- Is any Seattle RB startable? I keep saying no. Let's see what happens against a beatable Atlanta D. And can the Falcons finally get Kyle Pitts going? I believe yes.
Buccaneers vs. Packers -- How dominant will Leonard Fournette be? I continue to be wary. And Romeo Doubs has an opening, though the matchup will make things tough.
Broncos vs. 49ers -- Is Russell Wilson officially post-prime, or is he still acclimating? And I'm very interested in seeing what Jordan Mason does alongside Jeff Wilson, as well as what impact George Kittle will have on an ascending Brandon Aiyuk.
Bears vs. Texans -- Chicago might not get many better opportunities to get the most (or at least "more) from Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. I'm expecting 12+ combined targets for these two. Anything less, and one or the other could be in for a very long season. And is Dameon Pierce startable in fantasy? He's a pressure-point RB: a starter who might not score enough or get enough looks to be dependable.
Titans vs. Raiders -- If Derrick Henry can't get going, then what are we waiting for? Most of his matchups from Weeks 4 to 13 are between "challenging" and "pretty brutal." He's averaging less than 3.0 YPC in his last five games. Dontrell Hilliard looks like a goo bet to return. Is Henry simply a glorified Rashaad Penny at this stage? And with Hunter Renfrow out, can Mack Hollins step up and solidify not only the #3 WR job, but also deep-league streamability going forward?
Colts vs. Chiefs -- Are the Colts in or out on Nyheim Hines? After averaging 9.5 touches per game two years ago, he dropped to 6.2 last season. Now he's at 7.0 through two games. Will he be streamable at 9-10 touches, or continually benchable at 6-7? And is Clyde Edwards-Helaire for real? If he can stomp over the Colts, he'll be in the best depth-chart posision he's been in since entering the league.
Dolphins vs. Bills -- Are Chase Edmonds or Raheem Mostert unstartable? I've been saying yes the past couple weeks, and nothing I've seen has changed that. But if Mostert is the "better" back, we shouldn't be the surprised if Miami goes with the hot hand. And similarly, I'm wondering if Devin Singletary will scuffle his way through half a season or more, just like last year. Not his fault, it seems. Buffalo seems content to keep three RBs engaged.
Vikings vs. Lions -- Can we give up on Adam Thielen, or will he reach 1,000 yards and eight TDs by virtue of being the clear #2 receiver in a pass-friendly offense? He's older now, but I'm still banking on him to break through. Similarly, D.J. Chark is either rosterable or droppable. I think the former; some think the latter. Tomorrow we'll have more clarity.
Patriots vs. Ravens -- Damien Harris vs. Rhamondre Stevenson. So far, Harris remains the 1A. Curious whether this is the way it's going to be. And what will the Ravens' backfield do -- specifically, if J.K. Dobbins returns? And if he sits again, can anyone step up as a reliable #2?
Jets vs. Bengals -- A lot of folks are now on the Garrett Wilson bandwagon, for good reason. A few weeks ago, some couldn't stop talking about Elijah Moore, for good reason. And then there's Corey Davis. Will there be a pecking order before we exit September? And I'm still watching Joe Mixon closely.
Commanders vs. Eagles -- Curtis Samuel: wow. Never saw it coming. Hard to bet against him. But three straight seems like a longshot. Philly will be ready. And can we trust DeVonta Smith as a weekly fantasy starter?
Panthers vs. Saints -- What do we do with D.J. Moore? From where I'm sitting, it looks like Baker-OBJ all over again. A fantastic receiver rendered useless in fantasy because of his quarterback. And will Chris Olave or Jarvis Landry step up as the #2 behind Michael Thomas (assuming Thomas is the #1)?
Chargers vs. Jaguars -- We don't yet know if Justin Herbert will play. Either way, a lot more pressure on an underperforming Austin Ekeler. And can Marvin Jones outperform Zay Jones, or will they continue to cancel each other out?
Cardinals vs. Rams -- If Greg Dortch plays well again, what do we do with Rondale Moore? And does this completely undercut Marquise Brown and (eventually) DeAndre Hopkins? For L.A., Cam Akers or Darrell Henderson? My money's still on Akers.
Seahawks vs. Falcons -- Is any Seattle RB startable? I keep saying no. Let's see what happens against a beatable Atlanta D. And can the Falcons finally get Kyle Pitts going? I believe yes.
Buccaneers vs. Packers -- How dominant will Leonard Fournette be? I continue to be wary. And Romeo Doubs has an opening, though the matchup will make things tough.
Broncos vs. 49ers -- Is Russell Wilson officially post-prime, or is he still acclimating? And I'm very interested in seeing what Jordan Mason does alongside Jeff Wilson, as well as what impact George Kittle will have on an ascending Brandon Aiyuk.