What You Need to Know From Week 1

Photo: Joe Nicholson, USA Today Sports

BUF @ LAR

• Josh Allen started out in MVP form, and his hookup with Stefon Diggs made you wonder who was in Jalen Ramsey’s uniform
• The Allen to Gabe Davis hookup is in effect, and Davis is looking like a win at ADP
• Devin Singletary led a three-headed backfield, but James Cook fumbled on his first NFL touch and Zack Moss looked slow. Moss is at least back on our radar in fantasy leagues.
• Isaiah McKenzie had a touchdown and had an interception go in and out of his hands. Jamison Crowder also played a role. The Bills slot receiver role might not give us a consistent play.
• Dawson Knox wasn’t that involved, but this offense will be very good. His big games will come.
• Matthew Stafford’s elbow wasn’t a problem, but his offensive line was, and they lost another starter. The Bills got pressure all night without blitzing. If this continues against Atlanta, it’s time to get worried.
• Cam Akers was well behind Darrell Henderson, and Kyren Williams is out for a while with an ankle injury that required surgery. This is Henderson’s backfield, but Akers problems seem to be more mental than physical, and he will continue to get redemption opportunities by necessity. Henderson isn’t known for his durability, especially under a heavy workload. Don’t close the book on Akers yet.
• Allen Robinson was getting open downfield, but Stafford didn’t have time to find him. He’s a classic buy low after a disappointing Week 1.

NO @ ATL

• The whole Saints offense looked like preseason lasted three quarters into the regular season. Jameis Winston and the passing game came alive in time to get the win. Winston’s arrow is pointing up with much better receivers than last year.
• Michael Thomas is back and can be trusted in lineups. He might be one of the biggest values of 2022.
• Jarvis Landry could be more valuable than Chris Olave, and he was riffing with Winston, including a 40-yard catch on a ridiculous throw by Winston that set up the game-winning field goal.
• Alvin Kamara left the game with a rib issue that doesn’t sound like it will limit him in Week 2.
• Marcus Mariota played with urgency, including as a runner, and will have value in Superflex leagues and maybe as a Dak Prescott replacement.
• Damien Williams left with a rib injury and fifth-round pick Tyler Allgeier was inactive, so Cordarrelle Patterson was the only show in the backfield. He was outstanding, posting the first 100-yard rushing game against the Saints in the last 20. He was a big value at ADP.
• Kyle Pitts got some deep targets, but none connected. So he was a Week 1 dud. His ADP might have been too aspirational.
• Drake London made a few plays, but Olamide Zaccheaus and KhaDarel Hodge did. This isn’t going to be a high-flying pass offense. However, London could be a solid WR3, and the receivers could do enough to keep Mariota viable.

CLE @ CAR

• Jacoby Brissett was functional as a passer. But he only supported a decent game from Donovan Peoples-Jones, and David Njoku and Amari Cooper were worthless. It’s best to not count on a Browns' passing game target until Deshaun Watson returns in Week 13.
• The Browns smartly ran their offense through the backfield. Kareem Hunt looks great and picked up where he left off last year regarding touchdown efficiency, buoying his fantasy value back to RB2 status. Nick Chubb was a beast and shouldn’t have been falling to the third round.
• Baker Mayfield had a touchdown run and a 75-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Anderson to briefly get the Panthers back up from a 13-point deficit, but rookie Cade York hit a 58-yard kick to win the game. The offense wasn’t remarkably better than last year’s version, but Anderson is at least worth a pickup as the team’s leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
• Christian McCaffrey wasn’t involved enough but looked like his old self. He’s a buy low.
• D.J. Moore only had six targets in a game the Panthers trailed most of the way. His fantasy teams might feel some of the pain teams with Odell Beckham felt in recent years.

SF @ CHI

• This game was played in terrible conditions, so there aren’t a lot of good takeaways about the passing game. Don’t worry about any pass-catcher or quarterback on either side yet, although Trey Lance might be one step further out on the plank after the loss.
• Elijah Mitchell went down with a knee injury that will cost him two months. Jeff Wilson and Deebo Samuel will get the most touches, but rookies Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price could get a shot to be fantasy relevant.
• Khalil Herbert got most of the touches down the stretch and clearly looked more effective than David Montgomery. This backfield is trending in Herbert’s direction.
• Darnell Mooney was a forgotten man, but Fields had some success in the deep passing game. Let’s hope Mooney goes off on our bench against Green Bay and everything is ok.
• Cole Kmet was kept in to block and slow down Nick Bosa. We’ll learn more about his actual fantasy prospects in Week 2 at Lambeau, but his upside isn’t compelling enough to hold him at all costs.