What You Need to Know From Week 1

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DAL @ TB

• Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper are more than fine after missing extended time during camp and the preseason. Prescott didn’t look completely comfortable but was able to get the ball where it needed to be against a tough defense.
• Michael Gallup was placed on injured reserve after suffering a calf strain in this one. Cedrick Wilson will replace him in the lineup and is worth a pickup in deeper PPR leagues.
• Dalton Schultz was ahead of Blake Jarwin in every important stat category. Perhaps it’s just Jarwin knocking off the rust after ACL surgery, but it looks like neither Cowboy tight end is going to be dependable.
• Ezekiel Elliott didn’t look much more spry than he did last year, and not more spry than Tony Pollard, who was more involved in the passing game. There was reason for the team to go light on Elliott against the league’s best run defense, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to return top 6-8 pick value this year. It might be time to get out if you can get 80-90 cents on the dollar.
• Speaking of Tampa’s defense, they will continue to be a defense that induces more passing from their opponents, so break ties in favor of Kyle Pitts, Calvin Ridley, and Matt Ryan this coming week.
• Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown found the fountain of youth in the offseason and looked like the prime versions of themselves. Both look like big hits, although the Dallas defense could be magnifying that and making it look larger than it actually is.
• Chris Godwin was a focal point of the offense but Mike Evans was not. Godwin was the better pick, but Evans will still have some major outburst weeks in him because of the quality of this offense. Don’t sell low with Atlanta up next.
• The backfield is going to be as frustrating as expected for Tampa. Ronald Jones II lost a fumble and rode the bench, but apparently, he’ll start again in Week 2. Leonard Fournette got the load after that but also had a screen pass clank off of his hands for an interception. Giovani Bernard was barely used, but perhaps that was because he was coming in nursing an ankle injury. Without an injury, this backfield will be one to stay away from at lineup setting time.

SEA @ IND

• Russell Wilson was a fantasy success, although he only threw 23 passes. This new Shane Waldron offense was humming and could be a lot more efficient than previous Seattle offenses, although we won’t know for sure until the Seahawks face a tough defense, which won’t happen next week with Tennessee coming to town.
• Rashaad Penny went down with a calf injury that will cost him at least Week 2, and Chris Carson looked every bit the part of a lead back. He would go higher in drafts today than he did last week.
• Gerald Everett left one split tight end role in Los Angeles to be part of another in Seattle, this time with Will Dissly. Both are just desperation plays, but with upside this week against the woeful Titans.
• Carson Wentz was dinking and dunking and the Colts offense was lukewarm at best in a middling matchup. Next week brings the Rams and another likely wasted fantasy day for the Colts passing game.
• Zach Pascal did rise above with two touchdowns. If you have to carry a Colts receiver, he’s probably the best one to roster. Michael Pittman didn’t live up to his summer hype. Drop him in short bench leagues, but ride out his tough matchup with Jalen Ramsey in longer bench leagues to see if he can get going against Tennessee in Week 3.
• Nyheim Hines had 34 snaps to Jonathan Taylor’s 42. Hines had 15 touches to Taylor’s 23. That’s a fine workload for Taylor, although he isn’t going to dominate touches a la Joe Mixon or Derrick Henry, dinging his weekly upside, and Hines looks like an every-week flex and sometimes RB2 in PPR leagues.

JAX @ HOU

• The Jaguars might be the worst team in the league. Urban Meyer didn’t appear to have his team prepared against the team we thought was going to be the worst team in the league.
• Trevor Lawrence and his wide receivers were still good for fantasy on the back of garbage time production, which could be a regular feature, but is still tough to count on.
• James Robinson got almost twice as many snaps as Carlos Hyde (47-25), but Hyde had 11 touches to Robinson’s eight. It’s going to be tough to trust any Jaguars running back this year.
• Meyer said he doesn’t want Lawrence throwing 51 times, but if that becomes a regular occurrence, there might be something there with James OShaughnessy in tight-end premium leagues. He had six catches on eight targets.
• We can’t count on Brandin Cooks, Mark Ingram, or Tyrod Taylor to be this productive for fantasy until they face the Jaguars defense again. Denver’s offense gets to feast on this unit next week while the Texans come back to earth against the Browns.
• Ingram got the most carries he has had since 2014, but only because of the game script. Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson also scored and have roles in the backfield that might be larger in games that the Texans trail.
• Nico Collins was on the field a ton and Pharaoh Brown was productive in the lead receiving tight end role in two items to file away in deeper leagues if this offense is better than we thought it would be.

PHI @ ATL

• Jalen Hurts wowed in this one and looked like a franchise quarterback, although he didn’t test the Falcons secondary downfield. Tampa will get to light up Atlanta and Hurts will be able to be judged more accurately against the 49ers this week even though they lost their best corner, Jason Verrett, to an ACL tear.
• Miles Sanders looked good, but Kenny Gainwell is the clear #2 back and in a bit of a committee with Sanders, getting about â…“ of the snaps and touches. Gainwell should be carried in all but the shortest bench leagues.
• Quez Watkins was the #1 target to open the game, but quickly receded into the background, and rookie Devonta Smith shined while the game was in question. Jalen Reagor had a score late to boost his confidence after a tough rookie year and offseason.
• Dallas Goedert was more valuable in Week 1 than Zach Ertz, but Ertz had a hamstring issue, and Goedert’s touchdown was iffy even though it wasn’t overturned by replay. This is still a situation that is going to be tough to pin down for fantasy.
• Kyle Pitts was out in a pass route most of the time and did tie for the team lead in targets, which is your silver lining in a game where he had some trouble shaking Avonte Maddox, the Eagles nickel back. He’ll get even more targets against the Bucs this week.
• Cordarrelle Patterson is the clear #2 back and he outproduced Mike Davis on less than half of the snaps. He should be rostered in deeper leagues.
• Arthur Smith isn’t going to fix this offense overnight. The red zone play calls and execution were both problems. Philadelphia’s defense isn’t *that* good, so it could be a bumpy underachieving ride for this unit for a while.
• Russell Gage was the clear #2 receiver, but he is fourth in the pecking order for targets in an inefficient offense, so he’s not an essential hold.

LAC @ WAS

• There was no sign of a sophomore slump for Justin Herbert against a fierce Washington front. He will support the value of his offensive pieces.
• Austin Ekeler scored on a first-and-goal carry but didn’t get any targets. He’s a good player in a good offense and is a buy on the disappointing result.
• Sixth-round pick Larry Rountree is the #2 back ahead of Justin Jackson, who was the #3, and Joshua Kelley, who was a healthy scratch. He’s worth carrying in typical leagues.
• Mike Williams was inconsistent, but Herbert stuck with him and he came through. Consider him an upside WR3/Flex against the Dallas, and err on the side of playing him this week.
• Jared Cook was ahead of Donald Parham in the passing game and he’s a viable pickup/play if you were depending on someone like Mike Gesicki or Evan Engram or you’re still looking for an Irv Smith replacement.
• Taylor Heinicke came in for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will miss around eight weeks with a dislocated hip. The offense actually came alive with Heinicke, who was solid against the Bucs in the playoff last year, so don’t worry about what this will do to your Football Team fantasy players.
• J.D. McKissic got most of the third-down snaps but didn’t do much in the passing game. He’s droppable outside of deeper PPR leagues. Antonio Gibson dominated running back touches, but he’ll remember a fumble that basically cost his team the game. We will monitor his ball security going forward.
• Third-round pick Dyami Brown was the #2 receiver, but did little with his opportunity. Drop him for a hot waiver wire pickup if you used a late-round flyer on him, but watch him Thursday night against the Giants to see if he turns it around.

PIT @ BUF

• The Steelers offense is going to be even more conservative this year, denying Juju Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson of the volume inflation they got in a pass-heavy offense last year. Chase Claypool’s upside is also going to be hurt by the less bold approach that relies on the defense to keep things close.
• Najee Harris got every running back snap and touch, but the line wasn’t opening any holes for him, he wasn’t involved in the passing game, and looked ordinary by NFL standards. He could be a sell low.
• Josh Allen was predictable and didn’t make much headway as a runner or a downfield passer. He could have a Lamar Jackson 2020 correction where the league has caught up to him, or it could just be that the Steelers defense is going to be a tough out against after getting Devin Bush back and adding Melvin Ingram III and Joe Schobert (they get the Raiders next). Brian Daboll needs to change things up with a tough Miami defense up next.
• Devin Singletary was one of the best things about the Bills offense and he deserves more work. Zack Moss was a healthy scratch. The Bills need to force defenses to honor the run, and Singletary might be the best path to that. His value is trending up.
• Cole Beasley was the #2 target, exploiting the Steelers' instability at nickel back. Gabriel Davis had the biggest play and the score for the Bills wide receiver group, but his role is still the #4 receiver.

SF @ DET

• We want to start everyone against Detroit this year. Jimmy Garoppolo was outstanding, which will delay Trey Lance’s arrival, but let’s see what he does against the Eagles this week before penciling him in as the starter for the long haul this year.
• Trey Sermon was a healthy scratch, leaving fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell to lead the backfield, and Mitchell looked good doing it. Be bold in your waiver wire bids for Mitchell, but don’t drop Sermon. You want to hold any back with a chance to get half or more of this valuable backfield.
• Deebo Samuel was too much for the Lions secondary, while Brandon Aiyuk was treated like a rookie who needs to prepare better to have a larger role in the offense. Don’t drop Aiyuk, but don’t start him against the Eagles. Samuel could be a huge hit if he stays healthy and Aiyuk doesn’t get the message.
• Jared Goff was a garbage time king along with DAndre Swift and Jamaal Williams. All three could have persistent value as the Lions' woeful defense also lost their best corner, Jeffrey Okudah, to an Achilles tear.
• The Lions' wide receivers were as underwhelming as expected, which funneled targets to T.J. Hockenson, who was a factor even during the short time the game was in question. He looks like a top-three tight end in the making.

MIN @ CIN

• Kirk Cousins threw 49 times, something that Mike Zimmer doesn’t want, but Zimmer also seemed checked out as the defense got pushed around. This could end up being a pass-heavy team by necessity like they were at times last year.
• K.J. Osborn is the clear #3 receiver and will have some value in deep PPR leagues if the Vikings defense continues to struggle. With Arizona up next, Osborn is a decent Week 2 deep sleeper.
• Tyler Conklin dominated tight end snaps and targets with Irv Smith out. Chris Herndon will take some time to get up to speed, so Conklin is at least an upside desperation play against the Cardinals.
• Joe Burrow was strong in his return from a catastrophic knee injury and his connection with Ja’Marr Chase is still strong. Forget about the talk of Chase’s summer struggles. He led the team in wide receiver snaps, catches, and yards and looks like a hit at ADP for those that believed in him. Tyler Boyd wasn’t a big factor as the Bengals offense was balanced, but he could have some big PPR games in him when the Bengals need to pass more - which might not be this week against the limited Bears offense.
• Joe Mixon looked every bit the part of a workhorse, but you can’t help but feel like it’s not going to last forever. Samaje Perine was the clear backup and should be rostered in all but short bench leagues.

NYJ @ CAR

• Zach Wilson actually looked good when he got protection, but that wasn’t often and it will get worse with stud left tackle Mekhi Becton sidelined for at least a month. He’s only a desperation play, even in 2QB/Superflex.
• Wilson’s clear #1 receiver in the preseason was his clear #1 receiver in the season opener. Corey Davis caught two scores, including a long one on an extended play. He’s a must-start until he lets us down.
• The Jets have a three-headed RBBC in an ineffective running game. There’s no reason to carry any of them.
• Elijah Moore got a lot of snaps but did little with them. Give him another week or two before dropping him. Denzel Mims was running behind Jeff Smith even though Keelan Cole and Jamison Crowder were out.
• Don’t think that Carolina has an outstanding pass rush or defense on this result. They will get tested this week against the Saints and we will have a better idea where they are in the league’s power rankings.
• Christian McCaffrey was worth the #1 pick across fantasy leagues. He’s still the centerpiece of the offense and was the top PPR running back this week even though he didn’t score.
• Sam Darnold was solid, not spectacular against a pushover Jets defense. He relied on McCaffrey and D.J. Moore in the passing game, but also hit his old teammate Robby Anderson on a deep touchdown.
• Terrace Marshall should have had a score, but Darnold missed him. Don’t move on from him yet unless it’s for one of the most compelling waiver wire options.

ARI @ TEN

• Kyler Murray made it look easy. We’ll see how much that had to do with the Tennessee defense in upcoming weeks, but he would probably be the #1 quarterback in fantasy drafts today.
• Chase Edmonds was good enough to be a weekly flex in PPR leagues and should eventually benefit from an improved offense if this pace keeps up.
• DeAndre Hopkins didn’t dominate targets with positive additions at wide receiver this offseason, but he made spectacular plays and was still one of the best wide receiver plays of the week anyway.
• Christian Kirk was almost as good as Hopkins and should be the clear #2 target. Be willing to spend for him if he’s on your waiver wire.
• Rondale Moore was fourth in snaps among wide receivers, but the team has a will to use him when he is on the field. Don’t drop him too unless it’s for someone like Elijah Mitchell or Latavius Murray.
• Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and Julio Jones Week 1 duds can probably be chalked up to Chandler Jones being a one-man wrecking crew, although Jones' poor result is more worrisome because he and Tannehill didn’t seem to be on the same page. If the offense doesn’t wake up and return to the Arthur Smith play-action-heavy game plan at Seattle, then it is time to get worried.

CLE @ KC

• Odell Beckham didn’t feel right in warmups and didn’t play. He’s not a sure thing for Week 2 against the Texans, which is a shame. Third-round pick Anthony Schwartz will get to take advantage in the deep receiver role if Beckham can’t go, not Donovan Peoples-Jones, who generated some hype this summer.
• David Njoku got more opportunities in the passing game and looked like he deserves to be the top receiving tight end over Austin Hooper. Drop Hooper if you have him and consider adding Njoku if you need tight end help.
• Despite some hope for Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Mecole Hardman to do better with a full offseason to develop, this was still the same narrow Chiefs offense that only filled the cups of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. If the Chiefs can build a lead against the Ravens, it could get better for both players, who were still on the field a lot in the loss.

MIA @ NE

• Myles Gaskin had the largest share of an RBBC, so his ADP drop late in draft season looks appropriate.
• DeVante Parker and Jaylen Waddle had solid afternoons with Tua Tagovailoa playing decent, not great football. With Will Fuller returning to the fold next week, this offense might not support a consistent fantasy wide receiver play.
• Even with Fuller out, Mike Gesicki was a non-factor. He’ll have a few big games this year if the past is any indication, but save yourself the indigestion by dropping him instead of trying to predict them.
• Mac Jones was far from overwhelmed and should make this pass offense much more viable than it was last year.
• That pass offense featured Nelson Agholor, Jacobi Meyers, and James White more than the ballyhooed tight-end pickups. We’ll see if Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry can get going against the Jets. Henry was more of a dump-off target, so Smith is the better play.
• Damien Harris dominated running back touches after an early fumble by rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, but then Harris had a fumble that cost the Patriots a chance to win the game. We’ll see if Bill Belichick still trusts him to carry the load in Week 2.

DEN @ NYG

• Teddy Bridgewater looked as good as he has since his catastrophic knee injury. Even without #1 target Jerry Jeudy for a month or more, he’s a viable QB2/Superflex against a weak early schedule.
• Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams split the backfield basically 50/50 in a bad sign for fantasy consistency. Gordon’s 70-yard run was the only bright spot.
• Noah Fant will benefit from Bridgewater’s precision and the targets freed by Jeudy’s injury. He’s a strong start going forward.
• Tim Patrick is the more consistent receiver, but KJ Hamler has more big-play upside. Both will get an increased opportunity with Jeudy out. Hamler dropped an easy long touchdown, but more opportunities should be there against the Jaguars this week.
• Daniel Jones is going to continue to lean on Sterling Shepard, although the Broncos also tried to cover him too often with a linebacker. Shepard is good depth in PPR leagues nonetheless.
• Saquon Barkley was eased in as expected. Bold fantasy players who benched him were probably rewarded for the move, but he should get more work on Thursday against Washington.

GB @ NO (in Jacksonville)

• The Packers offense had a miserable day, but we shouldn’t judge them by this result. Marquez Valdes-Scantling stands out as a potential pickup if he wasn’t drafted or dropped after still leading the team in air yards. The whole offense could explode in a correction against the Lions this week.
• Jameis Winston was accurate and smart with the ball in his first start under Sean Payton. He has strong 2QB/Superflex value and streamer value in 1-QB leagues.
• Juwan Johnson was the better fantasy tight end but Adam Trautman had more snaps and should be more valuable over the long haul.
• Don’t give up on Marquez Callaway too quickly. He was the clear #1 receiver in snaps and Winston only threw the ball 20 times.

CHI @ LAR

• Andy Dalton was as bad as expected against a great defense. If he doesn’t pick it up against his old Bengals team this week, Justin Fields could be in sooner than later.
• David Montgomery looked strong and was the only bright spot in the offense. His second half last year was not a fluke.
• Don’t worry too much about Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney’s results in this tough matchup. Robinson in particular should bounce back against the Bengals.
• Robert Woods was more of a complement than a foundational piece of the passing game. It looks like Cooper Kupp will be the receiver we want from this offense.
• Tyler Higbee was as good as you could have hoped without Gerald Everett there to share snaps and targets. He’s a borderline top five tight end going forward.
• It will take Sony Michel some time to get up to speed, and in that time Darrell Henderson could assert control of this backfield. He was very strong with the vast majority of touches and should be in lineups as an RB2 against the Colts this week.

BAL @ LV

• Lamar Jackson was a strong runner and effective passer, but his two fumbles cost his team the game. He’s still a good fantasy play, but might have to rein it in a bit at the end of runs.
• TySon Williams had better runs, but Latavius Murray was the runner the team trusted with the game on the line. Murray will be worth more if he gets goal-line and game-clinching carries, but Williams could still have more value as the better runner.
• Marquise Brown is more than ok after having hamstring troubles this summer. He caught all six of his targets and should have value even after first-round pick Rashod Bateman returns. Sammy Watkins had a crucial deep catch on a great adjustment, and has deep league value until Bateman comes back.
• Mark Andrews wasn’t a big factor in the passing game. If he doesn’t have a strong game against the Chiefs next week, he might not be a safe start until he gets on track in a reprise of his up and down first half of 2020.
• Derek Carr to Darren Waller was the highest target combination of Week 1 with 19 targets. He could be worth as much as or more than Travis Kelce at this rate.
• Bryan Edwards was a dud for most of the game but came on in the fourth quarter and overtime. He’s a pickup in deep leagues to see if he can build on his confidence and appears to be more valuable than 2020 #12 pick Henry Ruggs III.
• Josh Jacobs scored twice but looked gimpy after some of his touches. Kenyan Drake had 41 snaps to Jacobs' 45 and got more work in the passing game. Jacobs could be a risky play who lets us down when he doesn’t score, while Drake has a lot of upside with Jacobs already dinged.