With 12 games on the slate tomorrow, here's the biggest fantasy-related "thing" (I can't think of a better descriptor) I'm following for each team. As most of you know, I don't play favorites. Sometimes the "thing" is bracing for an RB on my fantasy team losing enormous value. And sometimes I hype a player I'm competing against that week. The thing is the thing.
Falcons vs. Bears -- A three-headed backfield. Talented. Messy. And if Atlanta had a top-5 offense, it might not matter much. But as it stands, I'm wondering how much we can trust any Falcon RB going forward. And David Montgomery: with Khalil Herbert out, can Montgomery be a bell cow again, especially with Justin Fields running wild? I'm watching to see if Montgomery goes back to being the dynamic pass-catcher he once was.
Bills vs. Browns -- Neutral turf game with blizzard in Buffalo. Stinks for me, since I'm starting the Bills DST and am playing against Gabe Davis. But great for football fans who want to see a more interesting game (although playing in blizzard conditions would be fun to watch). For Buffalo, can James Cook solidify his hold on the No. 2 RB job, or more likely, will Nyheim Hines continue to get more work? And I'm interested in seeing how Kareem Hunt's used, especially in a season that's going downhill.
Colts vs. Eagles -- Will Matt Ryan be startable down the stretch? Maybe his benching will re-ignite him and this passing attack. And for Philly, who benefits most with Dallas Goedert out? Presumably A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, since the Eagles have three TEs to rotate in.
Patriots vs. Jets -- How much work will Damien Harris get, and will it matter? For the Jets, is Michael Carter still the 1A, or will James Robinson get more run?
Saints vs. Rams -- As I've been writing for weeks, the sooner New Orleans benches Andy Dalton, the sooner the team can see if Jameis Winston can still get it done. And as Matt Weavil corrected me the other day, they don't have a first-round draft pick next year, so there's zero benefit to losing. Speaking of losing, the Rams in a post-Cooper-Kupp world. Will Allen Robinson become a weekly streamer, or will Van Jefferson or Ben Skowronek (and Tyler Higbee) get the biggest bump?
Giants vs. Lions -- How much longer can Saquon Barkley hold on? He's a free agent in a few months. New York has no reason to ease up on him, as they push for an unexpected playoff berth. He's on pace for 429 touches. At this pace, and with a deep playoff run, he could break the single-season record (yes, I track all this in a spreadsheet). I added Matt Breida a couple days ago. If you have an opening, I'd advise doing the same. And for Detroit, can we trust D'Andre Swift?
Ravens vs. Panthers -- Gus Edwards is expected to return. What will this backfield look like tomorrow? Edwards doesn't catch passes. Will Kenyan Drake playing a Jerick McKinnon role to Edwards' Isiah Pacheco role? And for Carolina, will Baker Mayfield crush any hopes of fantasy relevance for D.J. Moore or Terrace Marshall?
Texans vs. Commanders -- Will Eno Benjamin have any impact, or is he strictly a #3 RB in case Dameon Pierce gets hurt or Rex Burkhead relocates to a Senior Living Community? And as always, Washington's backfield: Antonio Gibson still has more PPR value than Brian Robinson. Will that pattern continue?
Broncos vs. Raiders -- There won't be better matchup for Russell Wilson or his receivers. If they underwhelm tomorrow, I'd drop Wilson in 14-team leagues and probably drop Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy in 10-team leagues. For L.A., the same deal with Derek Carr. Vegas could ditch him after this season without much of a penalty. He's somehow worse than last year on most key metrics. Can he somehow break through against Denver's elite pass D?
Vikings vs. Cowboys -- Game of the week. For Minnesota, I remain on the fence with the aging Adam Thielen. He's too good to ditch, but is no longer a go-to option, especially with T.J. Hockenson in the fold. And Michael Gallup is a solid buy-low guy in deep leagues. Dak Prescott needs a strong #2 WR; it can't just be CeeDee Lamb, and Gallup has the track record.
Steelers vs. Bengals -- Is Najee Harris "back"? Or was last weekend a fluke? I'd like to think they regrouped during their Week 9 bye, retooled, and will operate better on offense going forward. For Cincy, was I completely wrong about Joe Mixon this preseason? Is last week a sign that he's once again elite or near-elite? I'm not convinced, but we'll see.
Chargers vs. Chiefs -- Almost game of the week, if the Chargers show up. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will determine if Justin Herbert can be a top-5 QB going forward, or if he's benchable in shallower leagues. And for K.C., I was wrong about Kadarius Toney. With JuJu Smith-Schuster an Mecole Hardman out, he has an opening to shine as the team's #1 WR. Oh, and don't sleep on Justin Watson in very deep leagues if you're WR-desperate.
Falcons vs. Bears -- A three-headed backfield. Talented. Messy. And if Atlanta had a top-5 offense, it might not matter much. But as it stands, I'm wondering how much we can trust any Falcon RB going forward. And David Montgomery: with Khalil Herbert out, can Montgomery be a bell cow again, especially with Justin Fields running wild? I'm watching to see if Montgomery goes back to being the dynamic pass-catcher he once was.
Bills vs. Browns -- Neutral turf game with blizzard in Buffalo. Stinks for me, since I'm starting the Bills DST and am playing against Gabe Davis. But great for football fans who want to see a more interesting game (although playing in blizzard conditions would be fun to watch). For Buffalo, can James Cook solidify his hold on the No. 2 RB job, or more likely, will Nyheim Hines continue to get more work? And I'm interested in seeing how Kareem Hunt's used, especially in a season that's going downhill.
Colts vs. Eagles -- Will Matt Ryan be startable down the stretch? Maybe his benching will re-ignite him and this passing attack. And for Philly, who benefits most with Dallas Goedert out? Presumably A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, since the Eagles have three TEs to rotate in.
Patriots vs. Jets -- How much work will Damien Harris get, and will it matter? For the Jets, is Michael Carter still the 1A, or will James Robinson get more run?
Saints vs. Rams -- As I've been writing for weeks, the sooner New Orleans benches Andy Dalton, the sooner the team can see if Jameis Winston can still get it done. And as Matt Weavil corrected me the other day, they don't have a first-round draft pick next year, so there's zero benefit to losing. Speaking of losing, the Rams in a post-Cooper-Kupp world. Will Allen Robinson become a weekly streamer, or will Van Jefferson or Ben Skowronek (and Tyler Higbee) get the biggest bump?
Giants vs. Lions -- How much longer can Saquon Barkley hold on? He's a free agent in a few months. New York has no reason to ease up on him, as they push for an unexpected playoff berth. He's on pace for 429 touches. At this pace, and with a deep playoff run, he could break the single-season record (yes, I track all this in a spreadsheet). I added Matt Breida a couple days ago. If you have an opening, I'd advise doing the same. And for Detroit, can we trust D'Andre Swift?
Ravens vs. Panthers -- Gus Edwards is expected to return. What will this backfield look like tomorrow? Edwards doesn't catch passes. Will Kenyan Drake playing a Jerick McKinnon role to Edwards' Isiah Pacheco role? And for Carolina, will Baker Mayfield crush any hopes of fantasy relevance for D.J. Moore or Terrace Marshall?
Texans vs. Commanders -- Will Eno Benjamin have any impact, or is he strictly a #3 RB in case Dameon Pierce gets hurt or Rex Burkhead relocates to a Senior Living Community? And as always, Washington's backfield: Antonio Gibson still has more PPR value than Brian Robinson. Will that pattern continue?
Broncos vs. Raiders -- There won't be better matchup for Russell Wilson or his receivers. If they underwhelm tomorrow, I'd drop Wilson in 14-team leagues and probably drop Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy in 10-team leagues. For L.A., the same deal with Derek Carr. Vegas could ditch him after this season without much of a penalty. He's somehow worse than last year on most key metrics. Can he somehow break through against Denver's elite pass D?
Vikings vs. Cowboys -- Game of the week. For Minnesota, I remain on the fence with the aging Adam Thielen. He's too good to ditch, but is no longer a go-to option, especially with T.J. Hockenson in the fold. And Michael Gallup is a solid buy-low guy in deep leagues. Dak Prescott needs a strong #2 WR; it can't just be CeeDee Lamb, and Gallup has the track record.
Steelers vs. Bengals -- Is Najee Harris "back"? Or was last weekend a fluke? I'd like to think they regrouped during their Week 9 bye, retooled, and will operate better on offense going forward. For Cincy, was I completely wrong about Joe Mixon this preseason? Is last week a sign that he's once again elite or near-elite? I'm not convinced, but we'll see.
Chargers vs. Chiefs -- Almost game of the week, if the Chargers show up. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will determine if Justin Herbert can be a top-5 QB going forward, or if he's benchable in shallower leagues. And for K.C., I was wrong about Kadarius Toney. With JuJu Smith-Schuster an Mecole Hardman out, he has an opening to shine as the team's #1 WR. Oh, and don't sleep on Justin Watson in very deep leagues if you're WR-desperate.