Week 1 Takeaways – Razzball Fantasy Football
11 min read
Fantasy football is back. NFL RedZone and NFL Sunday Ticket were sorta back for select subscribers; hopefully you were a lucky one like myself! Razzball Sunday Sit/Start Live is back. NFL Takeaways are back.
It’s all back, and we’re all here for it at Razzball. Let’s go over my Week 1 takeaways as we look forward to Week 2.
Picking up where he left off in the 2025 postseason, Williams was one of four quarterbacks to compile four total touchdowns in Week 1. The performance was even more impressive considering Carolina allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Williams also added 65 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, reminding fantasy managers why his rushing ability gives him such a high ceiling. The Bears get Minnesota in Week 2, so we’re not slowing down now.
Josh Allen dominated Houston, the top defense from 2025, with four total touchdowns — two passing and two rushing. Allen continues to make matchup-proof quarterback play look easy, and another exceptional season appears to be in store regardless of the opponent.
Trevor Lawrence took care of business in Jacksonville’s home opener, becoming the only quarterback in Week 1 to throw four touchdowns. He did it against a Cleveland defense that allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Without Myles Garrett, Cleveland could become a defense to target, with Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay coming to town in Week 2.
Bryce Young might actually be for real after throwing for 361 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score against Chicago. The game script was clearly in his favor, so we’ll want to see more before fully believing. Atlanta is next in Week 2, giving us another opportunity to see whether Young’s breakout is real or simply the product of a favorable game environment.
Lamar Jackson and new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will be a storyline all season. Jackson had not thrown for 300-plus yards since 2024 before doing so in Week 1, finishing with 324 yards while maintaining his rushing prowess with 40 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Saints should provide another interesting test in Week 2.
Joe Burrow wasn’t terrible, but fantasy managers were hoping for more from one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. The Bengals get Houston in Week 2, giving Burrow and this passing game a chance to rebound before anyone starts hitting the panic button.
Tyler Shough’s sleeper status should officially be removed after another top-10 fantasy QB performance. Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit, although another favorable game script helped inflate the numbers. Still, the Saints should have plenty of opportunities to put points on the board all season, as Sky and I have been saying all offseason.
Malik Willis flashed the rushing upside we wanted, but the Dolphins managed just 13 points in a loss to Las Vegas. Willis finished with 220 passing yards, an interception and a rushing touchdown while taking five sacks. He’ll need to do more than provide garbage-time rushing juice to become a reliable fantasy starter.
The debut of the Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel partnership did not exactly go according to plan. Herbert managed just 209 passing yards and one touchdown against an Arizona defense that looked like a matchup to attack, while the Chargers scored only 14 points in the loss. The good news is the underlying talent and offensive environment haven’t disappeared after one game. Herbert remains a bounce-back candidate, but fantasy managers would like to see the Chargers generate more explosive plays.
Jordan Love managed to throw for 387 yards and two touchdowns despite the Packers completely melting down in the second half. Green Bay leaned heavily on Love’s arm without their starting RB. The volume makes Love a borderline QB1 until further notice.
Kyler Murray lasted just five pass attempts before leaving with a concussion. Carson Wentz entered and promptly threw three touchdowns, helping Minnesota overcome a 12-point deficit with 29 unanswered points. Wentz becomes very interesting if Murray doesn’t clear the concussion protocol ahead of Week 2 against Chicago.
Running Backs
- Player: Derrick Henry
- Game: at Indianapolis
- Stats: 24 carries, 144 rushing yards and three rushing TDs
Doyle should help the rushing attack in addition to the passing game, evident by Henry’s rushing totals. If the Ravens’ wide receiving injuries linger into Week 2, I would expect a higher dosage of Henry against the Saints, who allowed Jahmyr Gibbs to become SuperSonic.
Notables:
Jahmyr Gibbs was given the workhorse role with 29 rushing attempts and five receptions. With David Montgomery in Houston, the Lions appear poised to hand him the keys with career highs in touches and rushing attempts. Buffalo is next in Week 2, who allowed his former teammate, Montgomery, to score three TDs.
The Bears backfield of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined for more than 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns against a Panthers front that allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025. We’re looking at the new Sonic and Knuckles duo in the Windy City. Swift remains the lead option, but Monangai’s immediate involvement makes a worthy RB2/Flex moving forward.
Bijan Robinson is the only Falcon we can confidently rely on until Atlanta gets more stability at quarterback. Robinson led all running backs in Week 1 with eight receptions on 10 targets, giving him an elite PPR floor even if the rushing efficiency isn’t always there. The receiving usage is exactly what fantasy managers wanted to see.
Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury concerns were immediately forgotten, finishing with 23 carries for 102 yards while adding six receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. The volume was excellent, although Mike Washington Jr. handled the Raiders’ goal-line work. Jeanty is an elite fantasy asset, but the short-yardage rotation is worth monitoring.
Jonathan Taylor rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns against Baltimore. The Ravens remain one of the tougher defensive matchups in fantasy, making Taylor’s production even more encouraging. His workload and goal-line role keep him firmly in the RB1 conversation despite the lack of excitement surrounding the Colts.
Ambiguous Committee Backfields:
- Panthers: Chuba Hubbard dominated Carolina’s backfield but Jonathon Brooks flashed with limited work, including a 48-yard reception. Brooks’ 21.3% snap share is concerning, although his first regular-season game in nearly 22 months gives me reason to expect his role to grow. Hubbard remains the clear starter, but Brooks is an intriguing stash.
- Buccaneers: Bucky Irving remains the leader of the Tampa Bay backfield, but Kenny Gainwell was more involved than expected. The two backs were used somewhat interchangeably rather than having completely defined roles. Irving should remain the preferred fantasy option, while Gainwell is more of a low-end flex until his workload grows. Cleveland is on tap for Week 2.
- Steelers: Rico Dowdle won the snap battle 39-25 over Jaylen Warren, but Warren won the fantasy battle with 10 carries and six targets. This is a true committee, but I prefer Warren because of his receiving role, which gives him the higher fantasy ceiling.
- Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten led Jacksonville with 15 carries for 66 yards, but Chris Rodriguez remains a threat to steal valuable touches, particularly near the goal line. Tuten has the higher ceiling, but Week 1 did not produce the workhorse role we were hoping for.
- Saints: Travis Etienne played only 59% of early-down snaps and split nine carries with Kendre Miller, despite Alvin Kamara being inactive. Etienne retained the goal-line role, but if this was his ceiling without Kamara, fantasy shareholders should be nervous.
- Commanders: Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains the lead back, rushing 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown, but Rachaad White added seven carries, four receptions, and Kaytron Allen drew goal-line work. Croskey-Merritt has the rushing edge as the lead back, but White’s receiving role and Allen’s involvement make this a backfield worth monitoring against Dallas in Week 2.
- Vikings: Jordan Mason led Minnesota with 16 carries while Aaron Jones had 12, with both backs scoring in the 39-22 comeback win over Green Bay. Mason has the rushing advantage, while Jones remains the better receiving option. With Kyler Murray’s concussion potentially impacting Minnesota’s Week 2 game script, the backfield could be relied upon more against Chicago.
Wide Receivers
- Player: Jalen Coker
- Game: vs. Chicago
- Stats: 8 receptions, 138 receiving yards and 2 TDs on 9 targets
I’ve been on the Jalen Coker bandwagon all offseason, but even I didn’t expect him to open the season as Carolina’s WR1. I still prefer Coker over Tetairoa McMillan in the Panthers’ WR hierarchy, although McMillan was heavily involved as well. These two could become a weekly 1A/1B situation, especially with limited proven pass-catching options behind them. Coker’s real test will be whether the Panthers’ passing volume carries over when the game script isn’t quite as friendly.
Notables:
The breakout finally arrived for Christian Watson, who scored twice against Minnesota and looked like Green Bay’s clear perimeter difference-maker. The matchup gets tougher with the Jets next week, but Watson’s role is now impossible to ignore. The Packers’ passing game showed it can support multiple fantasy options, but Watson’s downfield role gives him the highest ceiling.
Justin Jefferson reminded everyone why he’s still fantasy royalty, finishing with 8-92-2 against Green Bay. Even with Kyler Murray leaving early, Jefferson remained the focal point of Minnesota’s passing game. The Bears are next, making another big game very much in play.
Amon-Ra St. Brown remains the alpha, hauling in 10 catches and two touchdowns while playing 100% of Detroit’s 11- and 12-personnel snaps. Jameson Williams also compiled a 100% snap rate in 11- and 12-personnel, but the production wasn’t there. Better days should be ahead for Williams with that kind of playing time.
Zay Flowers was absolutely cooking before a hamstring injury ended his day: 5-150-1 in limited action. The big concern is now health, especially with the Saints coming to Baltimore next week. Monitor the hamstring before assuming another WR1 performance.
Olave exploded for 10-182, while Vele established himself as New Orleans’ clear No. 2 receiver for Tyler Shough. The problem? Baltimore is next after limiting Indianapolis WRs to 130 yards. Olave remains a must-start, while Vele gets a much tougher test before we crown him a weekly flex starter.
DJ Moore couldn’t have drawn up a better Buffalo debut: 5-100-1 against Houston, with an 81.3% route participation rate. Detroit is next, so Moore enters Week 2 looking like a locked-in starter after immediately establishing himself as a major piece of the Bills’ passing game.
Nico Collins finished with 6-117 and once again looked like the only Texans receiver fantasy managers can fully trust. Cincinnati is next, and the Bengals should have plenty of reason to roll coverage his way.
Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers established Jacksonville’s top three receivers, but Washington’s 72% route participation was particularly encouraging. The Jaguars face Denver next week, providing a much better test of how this WR hierarchy develops against a formidable defense. I cannot overlook Washington’s 6-145-1 against Denver last season.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both disappointed relative to their fantasy draft capital in Week 1. Houston is next, who allowed two 100-yard pass catchers in Week 1.
Luther Burden is the takeaway, not Kalif Raymond. Burden played 95.1% of Chicago’s 11-personnel snaps and ran a route on 71.1% of pass plays, while Raymond’s 8-84 line feels difficult to repeat with Rome Odunze’s limited snap count. Minnesota is next, and Week 2 should tell us more about how this Bears WR corps will shake out.
Ladd McConkey was productive (5-82-1) before leaving with a chest injury late in the third quarter, making his health one of the biggest questions heading into Week 2. If he’s cleared, McConkey remains a strong play against the Raiders. If not, Tre Harris becomes a player to watch.
Arizona’s WR rotation was fairly defined in Week 1, with Marvin Harrison Jr. at X and Michael Wilson at Z, but Kendrick Bourne led the WR room with 8-78 on eight targets. The bigger issue is target distribution, so I’d keep this as a wait-and-see group heading into Seattle rather than chase the Week 1 production.
Terry McLaurin clearly led Washington’s WR room with 92.1% route participation, while Stefon Diggs ran routes on just 65.8% but commanded a hefty 36% target rate when on the field. That makes McLaurin the safer volume play even though he flopped with 2-14 line. Diggs remains dangerous heading into Dallas in Week 2.
Dontayvion Wicks immediately stepped into A.J. Brown’s old X role, playing over 90% of the snaps and producing 2-73-1, while DeVonta Smith also played over 90%. Makai Lemon played 92.1% of Philadelphia’s 11-personnel snaps but didn’t see the same overall usage, making Wicks the more intriguing waiver target heading into Tennessee.
The Dallas WR duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens was underwhelming in their season debut despite a favorable game script on SNF. Lamb finished with 5-44-1, while Pickens managed just 3-28 on six targets. Both should have better days ahead, starting with a favorable home matchup against Washington in Week 2.
Tight Ends
- Player: Dalton Kincaid
- Game: at Houston
- Stats: 5 receptions, 130 yards, 6 targets
The breakout looks to be upon us. Kincaid led Buffalo in receiving yards and was one of seven pass catchers, and the only TE, to surpass 100 yards in Week 1. With Joe Brady now calling the shots and Kincaid seeing increased usage across personnel groupings, he has a favorable matchup against the Lions in Week 2.
Notables:
The box score was ugly, but the usage was anything but. Colston Loveland ran a route on 92.1% of Chicago’s pass plays, making him an obvious buy-low after a catchless Week 1.
Mark Andrews quietly had one of the most encouraging usage games of the week, running routes on 80% of Baltimore’s pass plays after averaging just 63.5% last season. The 4-49 line wasn’t spectacular, but the expanded role makes Andrews a legitimate weekly starter again.
Tucker Kraft’s modest Week 1 production came with a limited role as he works his way back from a torn ACL. He played just over half of Green Bay’s 11-personnel snaps, but his heavy usage in two- and three-TE sets suggests his workload could grow.
Trey McBride remains a locked-in fantasy starter after catching 9-of-13 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. Seattle presents a tougher matchup in Week 2, but his 33% air-yards share and elite target volume keep him firmly in the TE1 overall conversation.
Juwan Johnson’s 84.4% snap rate was a major step forward, with the Saints using him as an every-down tight end in virtually every personnel grouping. The increased role makes Johnson an intriguing TE1/streamer heading into San Francisco.
Harold Fannin Jr. continues to play an impressive role in Cleveland, logging all 12 personnel snaps. The usage remains more encouraging than his Week 1 box score, keeping him in the TE1 conversation for now.
Dallas Goedert was a major part of Philadelphia’s passing game, catching 4-of-5 targets for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The two scores will draw the attention, but the volume and role are what matter most heading into Tennessee in Week 2.
Mike Gesicki’s Week 1 production was modest, but his role is worth monitoring. Cincinnati continues to use him primarily in passing situations, making him more matchup-dependent than an every-down option, but the receiving role gives him some appeal in deeper leagues heading into Week 2.
Isaiah Likely will be the talk of New York with an 8-78-2 performance on SNF. He quickly established himself as Jaxson Dart’s No. 2 passing option, but the 50% snap rate is worth monitoring. Likely is a potential sell-high candidate before his role inevitably grows.
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