Fantasy Football Recap Week 1: 13 Things You Need To Know

We made it! After a very long offseason, the first Sunday of NFL football arrived with a bang. Week 1 lived up to the billing with some eye-popping performances from some familiar faces. Of course, there were those with high expectations that did not meet them and a few players who might just be available on the waiver wire. It is time to sort through the results and see what we learned.

Top Players

Josh Allen rewarded fantasy managers who used an early pick to select him. Although he had to overcome an early turnover to lead his Buffalo Bills back from a halftime deficit against Arizona. The hometown crowd was buzzing as he ran for a pair of scores and threw for two more. He tallied 39 rushing yards to go along with 232 passing yards.

Joe Mixon looked pretty good in his new uniform. The Houston Texans fed the eighth-year back and he ate. Nixon carried the ball 30 times for 159 and a trip to the end zone. He also caught all three of his targets for 19 yards and Houston got past their division rival in Indianapolis.

Tyreek Hill had an unexpected start to his Sunday. He was pulled over for a traffic violation and subsequently forced to the ground and handcuffed with a knee in his back. Hill did not let the questionable incident impact his on-field performance though. In the Miami heat, Hill was hotter streaking down the field for an 80-yard touchdown. It was the longest touchdown of his career. He finished the day with seven catches for 130 yards.

Anthony Richardson may have been the most excited to see Week 1 arrive. After starting his rookie season with promise in 2023, he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5. His return was memorable. He tossed two touchdown passes, including a 60-yard strike to Alec Pierce in the first quarter. In addition to 212 passing yards, Richardson did damage with his legs rushing six times for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Cooper Kupp had a primetime performance on Sunday night. In a game that required overtime to decide, he tied a career-high with 14 receptions. Kupp was able to turn those grabs into 110 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown that gave the Rams the lead.

Cooper Kupp, you’re ridiculous.

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) September 9, 2024

Pop Players

Baker Mayfield put on a show for Tampa Bay. The oft-maligned quarterback could do no wrong against Washington. He completed 24 of his 30 pass attempts and bagged 289 passing yards. He spread the wealth finding three different players on the receiving end of his four touchdown throws. He added 21 yards rushing on three carries.

Jayden Daniels showed why he has been hyped as a dual-threat superstar. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner completed 17 passes for 184 yards, but his rushing ability made his day. Daniels led the Commanders in rushing with 88 yards. He made two house calls on 16 rushes. It was not a bad way to begin an NFL career.

J.K. Dobbins made a big splash in his first game in a Chargers uniform. Carrying the ball 10 times, he compiled 135 yards and scored a third-quarter touchdown. Dobbins showed some of his explosiveness that endeared him to offensive coordinator, Greg Roman. It was encouraging considering how much of Dobbins’ career has been impacted by injury. He caught all three of his targets but only added four yards through the air.

Flop Players

D'Andre Swift struggled to gain ground on Sunday. In a victory over the Tennessee Titans, Chicago failed to score an offensive touchdown. Swift led the team in touches but that is not saying much. He rushed 10 times for 30 yards and did not convert his only target in the passing game.

Drake London was ineffective against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Atlanta’s entire passing offense was lackluster, London is the only piece regularly drafted in the second round of fantasy drafts this year. It may not quite be time to panic, but the young receiver collected just two catches for 15 yards. The hope for the Falcons' rebuilt offense was not on display Sunday.

I drafted Drake London and dk metcalf over Cooper Kupp. I deserve to be shot into the sun

— ravioli ravioli (@mojo_giorgio) September 9, 2024

Amari Cooper looked as bad as the hideous sideline caps worn by coaches in Week 1. He was targeted nine times against Dallas but he only came up with two catches for 16 yards. Fantasy managers will hope for better days ahead.

Drop Players?

Jordan Addison exited the Vikings game against the Giants in the third quarter with an apparent ankle injury. His leg was rolled up while he was being tackled. Head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that it was his right ankle and not the left ankle he injured during the preseason. Addison was seen walking on his own after the game and the injury is not believed to be serious.

#Vikings WR Jordan Addison will have more tests on his ankle injury tomorrow, but my understanding is he is not believed to have suffered a major injury.

Good news for an offense that saw Sam Darnold look effortless — with his only INT coming on a deflected pass after being hit

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2024

Puka Nacua sustained a knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday Night Football. He was initially ruled as questionable to return and he did come back into the game. However, he left the game again and was carted to the locker room. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game in the third quarter.