NFL Week 1 Recap

1. The Highlights

Week 1 of the NFL season was packed with must-see action that set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a thrilling season. Whether you're celebrating your first win or shaking off your first L of the season, here's some note worthy highlights:

• Baker Mayfield stole the spotlight with four touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 37-20 victory over the Commanders, making him an early waiver wire target.
• In a surprising turn of events, the Patriots pulled off a gritty 16-10 upset over the "Chase-less" Bengals, showing that New England might have more fight in them than expected.
• Josh Allen also made a statement, tallying four total touchdowns, two of which were rushing, to lift the Bills over the Cardinals 34-28 in what was a high-scoring game to no one’s surprise.
• Tyreek Hill the Cheetah had some off field issues prior to the start of the Dolphins first game which didn't slow him down one bit on the field, as he ended the day with 19 pts and an iconic td celebration.

2. Laggards & Stalwarts

In this section, we’ll highlight Stalwarts—the fantasy players who consistently rise to the occasion and deliver strong returns—and Laggards, the players who lag behind expectations.

Week 1 of the NFL season saw some fantasy stalwarts live up to their reputations, while others lagged far behind, leaving fantasy managers scrambling for answers. Let’s break down the most notable performers who either carried your team or left you counting losses.

Stalwarts:

• QB Josh Allen (BUF), 31.18 pts
• RB Saquan Barkely (PHI), 31.2 pts
• WR Jayden Reed (GB), 29.1 pts

Laggards:

• QB Joe Burrown (CIN), 8.06 pts
• RB D'Andre Swift (CHI), 5 pts
• WR DK Metcalf (SEA), 2.9 pts

Note: Points (pts) shown are for standard scoring. Data referenced from Yahoo Fantasy.

3. Waiver Wire Watchlist

If you missed out on top waiver claims already, don’t panic. It’s still early, and opportunities will continue to emerge. Keep a close eye on emerging stars, especially as injuries and breakout performances open new doors. Don’t forget to follow us on X for our weekly Waiver Wire picks and real-time updates that could make all the difference in your upcoming week 2 matchups.

4. Injuries to Monitor

Injuries are already shaking up the fantasy landscape. Keep tabs on these key players and adjust your lineups accordingly:

• Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers) - There's some uncertainty around his calf/Achilles injury. While there's some confidence he might play, there's also concern about a potential re-strain or more severe injury, suggesting a possible return in Week 3-4.
• Jordan Love (QB, Green Bay Packers) - Suffered an MCL injury. His status has not been ruled out for Week 2, but there's mention of leaning towards a return in the following weeks.
• Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams) - Placed on injured reserve due to a knee sprain, expected to return around Week 7 after the team's Week 6 bye.

5. Tweet of the week:

Speaking of Twitter (sorry Elon it just rolls off the tongue), Steve's post above caught our attention, highlighting an unusual trend: 2024 Week 1 had the fewest passing touchdowns since 2019. With just 35 touchdowns on the board, could it be opening-week jitters or the start of a new trend? Time will tell, but this interesting stat definitely has us at MoneyLeaguers wondering.

The Bottom Line

Week 1 is just the beginning, MoneyLeaguers. Stay ahead of the competition by subscribing to our newsletter and supporting the site. Make sure to follow us on X for real-time updates that keep you in the know. Whether you’re looking for your first win or locking down win number two, being a MoneyLeaguer means always playing smart. Thanks for rolling with us, and cheers to a big season ahead.