Week 1 Takeaways
4 min read
The NFL season’s Week 1 is in the books, and we are off and running! It was great to start seeing real play (even if these first few weeks still seem more pre-season than mid-season form). Seeing things come to fruition that we anticipated in the offseason, disappointed with others but let’s keep in mind…it is just 1 game. So how does the start look for the 2026 Fantasy Football Season?
Week 1 Takeaways
First thoughts and reactions to the initial week of the NFL season, from a Fantasy Football perspective.
- Seattle Seahawks – JSN is they guy no matter the QB. Hoping for Jadarian Price, Rasheed Shaheed and AJ Barner to get used more in Week 2. With backup QB looking to start temper expectations.
- New England Patriots – looking like a rougher start (and possible year) for this team as their key acquisition at WR is out for a month or so.
- Los Angeles Rams – Kyren Williams and Blake Corum look to set the pace for this team. Puka Nacua will get his followed by Davante Adams. Expect increased team points next week!
- San Francisco 49ers – defense looking better than recent years! Purdy looked good for Game 1. Expecting Deebo and Evans to get most Targets initially and ease in Kittle back to form. Easing the workload for CMC keeps rookie Kaelon Black relevant for now. Hoping for the best with rookie Stribling!
- Cincinnati Bengals – hoping it’s preseason rust that Ja’Marr Chase is shaking off initially. Nice start for Chase Brown, Mike Gesicki. Expect all to increase fantasy numbers as the season goes forward.
- Tampa Bay Buccanneers – Egubka, Irving, Godwin and Otton (a little bit). Curious where Gainwell goes (probably up) and expect better days for Baker Mayfield.
- Detroit Lions – Gibbs and Amon-Ra are studs. Expect more from Goff, Jamo and LaPorta going forward.
- New Orleans Saints – it took a half, but Shough did get it going. Olave great start! and Johnson Touchdown!
- Tennessee Titans – Expected more from the defense.
- New York Jets – Good to see Breece getting it done.
- Indianapolis Colts – Jonathan Taylor leading the charge! Good to see Pierce out there working in.
- Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson!! Starting the year right!
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Won’t be an explosive offense, but a nice start for Freiermuth getting the Touchdown.
- Atlanta Falcons – Bijan got it done! Worried for Drake London and Kyle Pitts moving forward.
- Carolina Panthers – Coker, cooked and the points were a plenty in this one! Could be a fun year for Bryce Young if this keeps up!
- Chicago Bears – fantastic start for a team looking to score the most points in 2026! Hoping Loveland gets his moving forward.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Rock and roll Trevor Lawrence and Parker Washington! Brian Thomas Jr., Bhaysul Tuten, Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange look to all be involved.
- Cleveland Browns – Ugh to that start! Boston and Judkins some bright spots to start for the team.
- Houston Texans – David Montgomery starting the season well! Nico doing his thing and they kept it close with a good team.
- Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen led the charge, and many fantasy options came through as anticipated. Good win against a pretty good defense.
- Las Vegas Raiders – No Bowers no problem! Jeanty gets his Touchdowns.
- Miami Dolphins – bad start for most, hoping for improvement but scared. Achane you start but the others need to prove it for fantasy lineups.
- Minnesota Vikings -hoping for the best for Kyler. Carson Wentz stepped in admirably and led the team while Jefferson, Hockenson, Mason, and Jones helped their fantasy teams!
- Green Bay Packers – hello Christian Watson, Matthew Golden! Tight End Tucker Kraft should see ramp up period as he gets going!
- Philadelphia Eagles – took care of business, Jalen Hurts did well. Goedert enjoyed the Touchdowns this game. Expecting more from DeVonta Smith moving forward.
- Washington Commanders – they kept things close and almost pulled out the Win. Strong start for rookie Antonio Williams. JCM leading the backfield.
- Los Angeles Chargers – did not look ready to play this one. Hopefully they are working out the kinks and get up to speed soon! Hampton and McConkey got their Touchdowns!
- Arizona Cardinals – seemed to be the surprise of the weekend. Controlled the game and McBride was great. Hello Kendrick Bourne! Does this continue?
- New York Giants – stuck to the gameplan and really looked great from start to finish. Likely, Dart, Skattebo and Nabers starting well!
- Dallas Cowboys – Javonte Williams with 2 Touchdowns, and CeeDee got one! Hopefully more opportunities for Pickens and Ferguson in the future.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Its Ken Walker’s world! What a start! Mahomes and Kelce came through and keep an eye on rookie Emmett Johnson.
- Denver Broncos – gotta believe better days for Bo Nix, decent start for Engram and Bryant. Hopeful for more Jaylen Waddle in the future.
Waiver Wire Pickups
- QB – Malik Willis
- RB – Kaelon Black
- WR – Deebo Samuel
- TE – Michael Mayer
- D/ST – 49ers DST
Week 1 Takeaways Final Thoughts
Take note of what is happening but remember, it’s just Week 1. The offenses are still working through things, and the defenses had a bit of time to get ready for their first opponents. Continue to consider Ability, Availability, Opportunity, Consistency, Advantage/Upside and Matchup for your players. Who has opportunity for Targets? Who will have the chance for Touchdowns? If you believe a player is in line for either, you know I would be interested in them!
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Targets and TDs Fantasy Football
Find players with: Ability – Availability – Opportunity – Consistency – Advantage/Upside – Matchup
Players on an offensive team that can get many Targets and Touchdowns, you know I would be interested in them! Statistics courtesy of The Football Database , a great resource for your NFL players statistics. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).
Enjoy the journey throughout the 2026 Fantasy Football Season
