After months of speculation, Week 1 brings clarity.
Well, probably not clarity.
The Patriots are unlikely to be one of the worst teams in football after a performance that mirrored their Week 1 loss to Las Vegas in 2025. The Rams will not play every game with the enthusiasm of the usual office the Friday before a holiday weekend.
But it brings data. The first meaningful opportunity to assess stances entering the season.
Across the league, where do we want answers?
Is Parker Washington or Brian Thomas Jr. the top receiver in Jacksonville? How does the backfield split shake out between Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr.?
Jacksonville (-8.5) vs. Cleveland, Total 40.5
The Jaguars are the most debated team this offseason. Coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence create an offensive environment worth targeting. If either situation tilts hard toward one player, leagues shift.
What does Minnesota with Kyler Murray and Green Bay without Josh Jacobs look like?
Minnesota (-1.5) vs. Green Bay, Total 46.5
With starting quarterbacks, the Vikings and Packers averaged 56 points and 802 yards in two 2024 matchups. With Clayton Tune and J.J. McCarthy starting games in 2025, those numbers were 24 points and 505 yards.
The Vikings were an elite fantasy offense in 2024. They were a frustration in 2025. Murray has been an elite fantasy quarterback when healthy and faces a Packers defense lacking Micah Parsons.
The Packers still wait on Jacobs' immediate future in an offense that has leaned on the run to the frustration of all fantasy managers. Jordan Love ranked second in 2025 quarterback EPA per play, per Sumer Sports. He was QB21 in fantasy points per game. More volume vaults him and receiving options Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft. Packers camp drum beats have treated Kraft like the top option, but optimism for a full Watson breakout is warranted.
The drum beats have also suggested a committee backfield with Marshawn Lloyd first up, Chris Brooks on passing downs, and new arrival Kaleb Johnson seeing some work as he gets up to speed. Jacobs' status remains a question. He could return as an elite fantasy option many drafted at a discount. Or he could be part of an established committee with young players who broke out when given an opportunity.
What if Ken Walker III is something a Patrick Mahomes II offense has never seen?
Kansas City (-2.5) vs. Denver, Total 43.5
Quick, who was the last Chiefs back to rush for 1,000 yards?
The Chiefs have not seen a 1,000-yard back since 2017. Kareem Hunt's rookie season. Mahomes took over as the starter in 2018. In eight seasons since, the Chiefs' leading rusher has averaged 709 yards. Walker could fly by that number by Halloween. He could be the skeleton key that opens the entire offense.
Can we please just have Brock Bowers?
Las Vegas (-3) vs. Miami, Total 39.5
The runout to the NFL season has been brutal. Hours before kickoff, we learn about Brock Bowers' injury. Then, A.J. Brown and Sam Darnold go down in Game 1. De'Zhaun Stribling followed in Game 2.
Fantasy is a constant reminder to continuously reassess.
We will be wrong.
Terrance Ferguson probably will not be the NFL MVP after all. He will eventually have more yards than Clayton & Joey.
We will also be right.
Enjoy the victories and learn from the losses.
Dave Kluge runs through each game's injury situation in his weekly must-read, NFL Week 1 Injury Report.
Sixteen games stand on the schedule; Week 1 is the first Fix.