Quick question: What was weirder, NFL Reality Week 1 or NFL Fantasy Week 1?
Welp, suffice it to say that the Buffalo Bills’ historical Sunday night comeback was weird, but Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones finishing the week as the league’s fantasy QB3 was weirder. So for our NFL Week 1 weirdness, fantasy gets the nod over reality.
(Oh, and speaking of those Buffalo Bills, in my “friends fantasy league,” I had a 20-plus point lead after the Sunday late afternoon slate, and was gonna cruise to an easy opening day dub — that is, until Josh Allen started doing Josh Allen things and crushed my early-season dreams. That wasn’t weird. That was just annoying.)
Anyhoobs, all we can do in the Land of Starting and Sitting is try to mitigate the weirdness. So let’s get mitigating.
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(Editor’s note: For our 2025 start/sits, we’re blowing off D/ST and kickers. Realistically, it’s a freaking dart-throw, and, let’s be honest, folks, who has the time?)
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 2
We'll go position by position for our Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 2, with QB, RB, WR, and TEs covered. Let's get into it.
Quarterbacks: Start ‘Em
Patriots QB Drake Maye
Patriots @ Dolphins – 1 p.m. ET
I tabbed Maye as a start candidate last week, and that didn’t go well, as he only managed 15.8 fantasy points, finishing the week as QB18, just behind Green Bay’s Jordan Love and just ahead of Cleveland’s Joe Flacco.
That’s about as mediocre and mediocre can get, but this week, the second-year man travels to Miami, where he’ll face a Dolphins defense that’s about as dreadful as dreadful can get, something with which Colts QB Daniel Jones will happily agree. And speaking of Mr. Jones and me…
Drake Maye Projection via PrizePicks: 216.5 pass yards
Giants QB Daniel Jones
Giants @ Cowboys – 1 p.m. ET
Much to my credit, I also tabbed Jones as a starter last week, and I’m planting my flag again, despite the fact that the Colts will be staring down a Denver defense that allowed only 12 points to the Tennessee Titans, and bullied rookie QB Cam Ward into a 54.5 passer rating.
But Jones is on a heater, so I’m rolling with him, stats be damned.
Daniel Jones Projection via PrizePicks: 210.5 pass yards
Jets QB Justin Fields
Bills @ Jets – 1 p.m. ET
With a whopping 29.5 fantasy points (QB2), Fields was a fantasy beast on Sunday. Facing a Bills D that was torched by the Ravens — and is on a short week — the beastliness shall continue.
Justin Fields Projection via PrizePicks: 183.5 pass yards
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Quarterbacks: Sit 'Em
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Patriots @ Dolphins – 1 p.m. ET
Wait, what’s that noise coming from the southeast? Easy: The sound of Tagovailoa being dropped by every fantasy player everywhere. Throw him on the waiver wire until further notice.
Tua Tagovailoa Projection via PrizePicks: 1.5 pass TDs
Bears QB Caleb Williams
Bears @ Lions – 1 p.m. ET
Despite his concerning second half against the Vikings on Monday night, the Bears signal-caller finished the week as QB9 (24.2 points). But that was mostly due to a couple of chunk runs, and based on Williams’ cringeworthy third and fourth quarters, Chicago HC Ben Johnson will change things up on Sunday against his former team, potentially meaning quick, safe passes. And fantasy players hate quick, safe passes.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Browns @ Ravens – 1 p.m. ET
In season-long fantasy, you never, ever, ever, ever sit Lamar Jackson. But DFS-wise, against a Browns D that held Bengals QB Joe Burrow to 8.8 fantasy points (QB28), you’re better off eyeballing a Maye or a Fields.
Lamar Jackson Projection via PrizePicks: 48.5 rush yards
Running Backs: Start 'Em
Cowboys RB Javonte Williams
Giants @ Cowboys – 1 p.m. ET
When I’m wrong about something, I’ll admit it. Wait, let me rephrase that: When I’m wrong about a football prognostication, I’ll admit it, whereas in the rest of my life, it’s like 50/50. So today, I’ll stand up in front of the fantasy world and say, “I blew it with Javonte Williams!” In Dallas’ opening night loss to the defending champion Eagles, Williams looked healthy, smart, and quick, and he should keep it up against a Giants D that was gashed for 220 rushing yards by the Commanders in Week 1.
Jets RB Breece Hall
Bills @ Jets – 1 p.m. ET
And speaking of RBs who looked healthy, smart, and quick in Week 1, say hello to Breece Hall.
The Iowa State product threw down 107 yards on the ground, the third-highest total of the week, and against a Bills D that was embarrassed by Ravens RB Derrick Henry to the tune of 169 yards on the ground, a repeat performance is eminently possible.
Cardinals RB James Conner
Panthers @ Cardinals – 4:05 p.m. ET
Death, taxes, and the Panthers being lousy, amirite? Last Sunday, the Carolina D made Jags RB Travis Etienne Jr. look like Walter Payton — 156 total yards, 15.6 fantasy points — and last time I checked, Conner was way better (or at least way more consistent) than Etienne.
The Panthers D won’t make a Week 2 jump, so Conner will tear it up in Arizona’s home opener.
James Conner Projection via PrizePicks: 68.5 rush yards
Running Backs: Sit 'Em
Bears RB D’Andre Swift
Bears @ Lions – 1 p.m. ET
Swift is tied with Sam Darnold for the Alan Goldsher Biggest Fantasy Fade of 2025 award, and barring a miracle of epic proportions, neither underachiever will find their way into any of my lineups, be it season-long or PrizePicks.
(Note: Darnold overachieved in Minnesota last year, but taking into account last week’s bust debut with Seattle, he’s reverted to being his underachieving self.)
Lions RB David Montgomery
Bears @ Lions – 1 p.m. ET
It was all but a given that the Lions offense would take a hit when John Morton replaced Ben Johnson as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, but based on Detroit’s nightmare performance in Green Bay, the blow could be more painful than anybody imagined.
Monty was among the casualties, managing just 43 all-purpose yards on 15 touches in Morton's less-than-auspicious debut. Now Chicago’s HC, Johnson knew how to get Montgomery going, thus he probably knows how to get him stopping.
David Montgomery Projection via PrizePicks: 44.5 rush yards
Any Giants RB
Giants @ Cowboys – 1 p.m. ET
In their Opening Day clash with the Commanders, the Giants running backs were comically lousy, eking out 30 yards on 15 carries — and I don’t even need a calculator to glean that shakes out to 2 measly yards a carry.
That’s a messy running back room on a messy offense, and Tyrone Tracy Jr., Cam Skattebo, et. al should be avoided until they prove they can do… something.
Wide Receivers: Start 'Em
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka
Buccaneers @ Texans – Monday, 7 p.m. ET
With 19.6 fantasy points, the first-year speedster out-fantasy’d every other rookie receiver… and Justin Jefferson… and Puka Nacua… and CeeDee Lamb… and Ja’Marr Chase.
Matter o’ fact, the only receivers who posted better fantasy totals were Zay Flowers and Quentin Johnson. Looks like Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has himself a shiny new toy.
Emeka Egbuka Projection via PrizePicks: 59.5 receiving yards
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall
49ers @ Saints – 1 p.m. ET
With TE George Kittle on the shelf and QB Brock Purdy possibly out, any Niners pass catcher comes with a big ol’ question mark. But Pearsall flashed some serious wheels in posting 10.8 fantasy points last Sunday (WR16), and could be a slick little DFS play against a New Orleans D that isn’t what we in the industry like to call “frightening.”
Jets WR Garrett Wilson
Jets vs. Buffalo
I have Justin Fields and Breece Hall as start ‘ems, so let’s go ahead and complete the Jets triple-stack. But sorry, NYJ TE Mason Taylor, Jets-fest ends here.
Garrett Wilson Projection via PrizePicks: 60.5 receiving yards
Wide Receivers: Sit 'Em
Browns WR Cedric Tillman
Browns @ Ravens – 1 p.m. ET
Tillman put up some decent numbers against Cincinnati — 59 receiving yards, 1 TD, 11.2 fantasy points, WR14 — and he might eventually emerge as Cleveland’s WR1. But do you trust QB Joe Flacco and the Browns offense to make hay against a pissed-off Ravens D? Yeah, me neither.
Bills WR Keon Coleman
Bills @ Jets – 1 p.m. ET
Buffalo QB Josh Allen is a legit nice dude, and legit nice quarterbacks like to share the ball, as witnessed by the fact that in their Miracle on Turf win over Baltimore, ten Bills were targeted, half of whom had four-plus catches.
Last week, Coleman led the charge, and this week, it could be, I dunno, Andre Reed. So moving on.
Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp
Seahawks @ Steelers – 1 p.m. ET
Once an elite fantasy option, the 32-year-old is a shell of his former self. His inability to create separation makes him all but unplayable, and the fact that Seattle will be dealing with a cross-country flight won’t help matters. Don’t be afraid to send him to the waiver wire.
Cooper Kupp Projection via PrizePicks: 31.5 receiving yards
Tight End: Start 'Em
Saints TE Juwan Johnson
49ers @ Saints – 1 p.m. ET
Saints QB Spencer Rattler looks like one of those guys who needs a security blanket, and in Week 1, Johnson was just that, garnering team highs in catches (8) and receiving yards (76).
With WR1 Chris Olave banged up per usual, Johnson could see similar volume, and if he’s on your waiver wire now, pounce.
Colts TE Tyler Warren
Broncos @ Colts – 4:05 p.m. ET
As a Bears fan, I’m more than a little irked that a TE who was selected four picks after Chicago’s first round TE Colston Loveland balled out, while Loveland…didn’t. Warren led the team in targets with 7, finished the week as TE7, and is about two more good performances away from becoming a must start. Which doesn’t make me a happy camper.
Tyler Warren Projection via PrizePicks: 44.5 receiving yards
Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Browns @ Ravens – 1 p.m. ET
This one is strictly a volume thing. I don’t see the rookie matching Sunday’s 63-yard performance, but I do see him approaching his 9 targets.
In PPR leagues, the soft-handed Bowling Green product is a good get after he was targeted on 9 of his 31 pass snaps in his debut.
Tight End: Sit 'Em
Bears TE Colston Loveland
Bears @ Lions – 1 p.m. ET
The Michigan product saw a grand total of 2 targets in his Monday night debut, and nothing the Bears did demonstrated they have any interest in immediately integrating the tight end position into their game plan. Where art thou, Tyler Warren?
All 49ers TEs
49ers @ Saints – 1 p.m. ET
49ers TE George Kittle is officially on IR, meaning he'll miss at least the next four games.
TE Jake Tonges did a nice job filling the Kittle-sized hole at tight end after the star went down with a hammy, but now that the league has tape on Tonges — as well as fellow backup Luke Farrell — it’ll make life way more difficult for the duo.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
Chiefs vs. Eagles – 4:25 p.m. ET
Hey, remember last year’s Super Bowl, when the Eagles held Kelce to 4 catches and 39 yards? Well, I sure do, and I have no interest in being saddled with a repeat.
Kelce didn't look much better in his 2025 debut, as he had just 3 targets, 2 catches, and 47 yards — most of which came on his wide open 37-yard catch and walk-in TD.
Note: PrizePicks is offering a Max Discount on Kelce's receiving yards for NFL Week 2 — 1 receiving yard = 1 win! That's 99% off his projection. Can't sit 'em on that one.
Travis Kelce Projection via PrizePicks: 50.5 receiving yards
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