Week 1 Fantasy Preview

NFL Football is back, so here is your Week 1 Fantasy preview:

🚨 Injury Updates

• Khalil Shakir (BUF, WR): High Ankle should play, but won’t be 100%

• Matthew Stafford (LAR, QB): Will start week 1, but as he is getting older, his back will be something to monitor all season long.

🛡️ Defenses to Stream

• Cardinals @ Saints – The Saints are kinda a mess right now, and I just don’t expect them to be able to put together drives and score much this week

• Bengals @ Browns – The Browns gave up the most points to defenses last year and and the roster hasn’t improved much since then.

• Jets vs Steelers – This game has the lowest total score of any game, week 1, sitting at 38.5. This game will be a battle of the defenses with very few points.

🔀 Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em

Start ‘Em

• Michael Penix (ATL, QB) – Penix will be playing the Falcons in week 1, and this provides multiple benefits for him in fantasy. Not only did they give up the 2nd most points to QBs last year, but their defense was very good against the run, which might make the Falcons favor the pass in this one.

• Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX, RB) – The Jaguars will be facing the Panthers in week 1, who gave up the most points to RBs last year, and it wasn’t even close. They even gave up 25% more rushing yards than any other team last year. Etienne is well-positioned to have a great game.

• Emeka Ebuka (TB, WR) – This rookie out of OSU has looked great all summer. Not only is Chris Godwin out, but the Buccaneers are also playing the Falcons, who gave up the most points to WRs last season. It should be a great debut for Ebuka.

Sit ‘Em

• J.J. McCarthy (MIN, QB) – Look, I love J.J. McCarthy this season, but not only is he missing his WR2 due to suspension, but he is also playing the Bears, who gave up the second-fewest fantasy points to QBs last year, so maybe leave him on the bench for week 1

• Omariom Hampton (LAC, RB) – Week 1 against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo is not an ideal start for Hampton’s NFL debut. The Chiefs give up the fewest points to fantasy RBs, and he’ll still be splitting snaps with veteran Najee Harris. As much potential as he has, this might not be the week for him.

• DK Metcalf (PIT, WR) – I already never liked Metcalf with Aaaron rodgers because Rodgers prefers precise route runners, and historical DK Metcalf isn’t one, so it will take time for them to get used to each other. But they are also playing the Jets week 1, who gave up the 4th least fantasy points to WRs in 2024.

📝 Final Fumble

Week 1 is finally here. All the draft prep, mocks, and preseason takes don’t matter anymore — it’s time for real football. Remember: don’t overreact to one week, but don’t ignore it either. Stay sharp, set those lineups, and enjoy the chaos. Let’s fumble our way to a championship.