Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at San Francisco 49ers)

Entering Sunday’s titanic matchup with Santa Clara, Burrow will have had almost two weeks to rest his (previously) ailing calf. So, yes, the “Joe Cool” who indiscriminately launches deep bombs to Bengals receivers should finally make his glorious return. You bet your bottom dollar that I love Burrow victimizing those sorry 49ers cornerbacks.

WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans (at Carolina Panthers)

I can’t believe I actually missed the Texans on their bye week. What is happening to me? C.J. Stroud and Co. get a soft landing pad matchup against a Carolina defense that allowed 42 points in back-to-back weeks before its own bye. I trust that Stroud will be finding Collins early and often — who has four games of at least 80 receiving yards already and is one of the NFL’s more efficient wideouts as a rookie.

QB Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (vs. New Orleans Saints)

Minshew gets the vaunted Shane Steichen bump. Even without Anthony Richardson, this Colts offense looks like a finely-tuned, royal blue machine. Against the NFL’s No. 1 defense in Cleveland, Minshew (305 passing yards) orchestrated four scoring drives of at least 75 yards. Why should the Saints be any different? We’re talking about a guy who might be a borderline QB1 right now.

WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

For the second time in three weeks, Rice gets to square up with Patrick Surtain and the Denver defense. On the first occasion, he had little trouble in a four-catch, 72-yard performance. And with 34 overall targets this year, it’s readily apparent Rice is no longer just the “default” second option to Travis Kelce in Kansas City’s offense. Rice looks like a young star in the making, and we’ll see more proof in the pudding at Mile High.

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Deebo Samuel’s absence and Brock Purdy’s recent regression back to the mean had to hurt someone most. In this case, it’s Aiyuk, who has just 191 total receiving yards in his last three games after recording two early 120-plus-yard efforts. Until the San Francisco offense can fix what ails it (if it can, that is), you’d do well to start someone else if you have the option.

RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Another victim of an offensive malaise, it’s time to start considering a Cook a safe fade. The Buffalo RB1 has more or less been an anonymous non-factor in two straight uninspiring Bills’ offensive performances. He now faces Tampa Bay, which owns the NFL’s seventh-ranked rushing defense. It’s also especially strong up the middle with Vita Vea, Lavonte David, and Devin White — where the Bills’ offense is arguably its weakest.

Any highly-drafted Falcons offensive weapon (at Tennessee Titans)

Let’s get back to these Falcons. Look, I won’t begrudge anyone for having blind faith in Arthur Smith knowing how to utilize his players. But, with Robinson included, I would qualify any recent Falcons’ top-10 draft pick (Kyle Pitts, Drake London) to be massive fantasy and on-field disappointments thus far. Unless Atlanta makes a surprise move for a real quarterback at the Halloween trade deadline, Desmond Ridder has rendered his teammates with a pedigree as bona fide second-tier fantasy options, at best.

QB Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (vs. New York Jets)

Giants fans/loyal fantasy managers, I am here to be a voice of reason. I am here to tell you to slow your roll about Taylor. Yes, the Giants’ offense has technically looked better with the veteran calling the shots in Daniel Jones’ absence. But let’s not pretend that was a high bar in the first place. Big Blue has scored 23 points total in the last two weeks, folks. Now, the Jets’ monstrous defense is on their plate. Don’t ride the Taylor sleeper wave if you feel it coming on. Let’s just be realistic.

AP Photo/Nick Wass

RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

At this stage, anyone hoping that Harris — a former first-round pick — will finally morph into a star has put the blinders on. He plays the easiest position in football to pick up and excel at quickly. If the plodding runner with a limited change of direction was a consistent difference-maker, he’d already have shown it. BUT these Steelers are quietly frisky. If you’re in a PPR league, leaning on Harris as an RB2 or RB3 as Pittsburgh tries to rely on him for an upset over Jacksonville is worth the risk.

TE Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons (at Tennessee Titans)

The beautiful comedic irony of the Falcons is that while each of their more talented players has relatively floundered, they’ve revitalized Smith into a solid option. (Sorry, Falcons fans. I understand your pain. This is the last mention of their propped-up mediocrity.) Smith is third on the Falcons in targets and second in receiving yards, and he’s played nearly 60 percent of Atlanta’s offensive snaps. Snatch him up as a mid-tier tight end if you still can.

RB Emeri Demercado, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

I’m admittedly wary of trusting Demecardo too much. Especially after Jonathan Gannon showed his usage can be a bit hot and cold in James Conner’s absence. That said, the Cardinals’ offense is a lifeless husk that has to lean on Demercado more than usual. Provided Demercado gets something like 17 touches again against the Ravens’ elite defense, I can easily envision a solid garbage-time performance for the tailback.

WR Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots (at Miami Dolphins)

Mac Jones has been mostly, well, uh, terrible this year. However, one of his better outings came against the Dolphins’ soft defense in Week 2. Bourne is clearly Jones’ favorite receiver by every relevant statistical measure. The logic makes too much sense. Even someone as inept as Jones can help create noteworthy fantasy weapons.