Our panel of NFL experts predicts Week 2's biggest upsets, fantasy football flops and potential sleepers, plus makes a few predictions on the season.
Dive into what our analysts think of the Cowboys' offense, the Eagles' defense, the Browns' surprising home loss and more.
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What's one surprising thing from Week 1 that will continue to play out this season?
Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Dak Prescott's passing-game production. With new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore pulling the strings, the Dallas Cowboys looked much more aggressive throwing the ball in Week 1. Toss in some tempo, play-action and vertical concepts? Yeah, the Cowboys have something going here, and Prescott also has two big-play targets in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
Jason Reid, The Undefeated senior NFL writer: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will continue to shine for the Kansas City Chiefs. His speed just jumps off the film. Watkins had the best game of his career in the season-opening victory over Jacksonville -- a nine-catch, 198-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece. A Chiefs coach told me in the offseason that Watkins was getting rave reviews in the building for his approach and focus. Watkins has said he thinks this will be his best season. After his season debut, who could argue?
Aaron Schatz, editor of Football Outsiders: The defensive struggles of the Atlanta Falcons. Every year, we talk about the raw talent that's supposed to be on this defense, but every year they come out as subpar. In particular, they play poorly early in the season, then improve near the end, getting everyone excited about the possibility they'll be better ... only to be worse again in the next season. Atlanta's rank in our defensive DVOA ratings the past three years: 31st, 22nd and 26th.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Ejections. Three players were disqualified from games, two for unsportsmanlike acts and one for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Many fans might have been surprised to see it; as recently as 2015 the NFL ejected four players for the entire season. But ejections have trended upward since then, as the league has tried to rein in poor sportsmanship and reduce concussions. Senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron has the power to make the call from New York, and this trend isn't going away.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: For those who were surprised by the Tennessee Titans defense's manhandling of the Browns in Week 1, don't be. This is a group defined by toughness and physicality and that thrives off being a group that many don't seem to discuss frequently. Cameron Wake might not be human.
OK, what about the inverse -- what's a surprising thing from Week 1 that you consider a fluke?
Bowen: The Chicago Bears' lack of running-game volume. Given the inconsistent play of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in Week 1, I anticipate coach Matt Nagy dialing down on the rushing attack this week at Denver. The Bears running backs totaled just 11 carries in the 10-3 loss to Green Bay. Rookie David Montgomery needs to see more touches on the ground, and the Bears can't come out of another game without Tarik Cohen getting a single carry.
Reid: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield stinking up the joint. There's no sugarcoating this: Mayfield was awful in a 43-13 loss to the Titans, throwing three interceptions while being thoroughly outplayed by his counterpart, Marcus Mariota. The once-lowly Browns now have bull's-eyes on their backs, as much for how the uber-confident Mayfield runs his mouth as the significant improvements general manager John Dorsey has made to the roster. But Mayfield and the Browns are too talented to stay stuck in the place they were in Week 1.
Schatz: The poor defensive play of the Philadelphia Eagles. They allowed Case Keenum to put up a 77.1 QBR, but there's plenty of reason to believe we should stick with our prior assumption: that the Eagles will improve from last year when they were just 15th in defensive DVOA. They added talent and should experience some rebound to their 2016-17 level, when they were among the best defenses in the league. Regression means they're likely to have better health and more takeaways than a year ago. One game isn't enough to change this likely narrative.
Seifert: The Minnesota Vikings throwing only 10 passes. There is no doubt that coach Mike Zimmer wants to balance his offense between the pass and run. But the unique start to this game -- two defensive three-and-outs, a blocked punt and two drives opening in Falcons territory -- severely skewed that ratio. Quarterback Kirk Cousins actually dropped back on four of the Vikings' first six plays, after which the Vikings led 14-0. The way the game flowed, there was no reason to throw much thereafter.
Yates: The Atlanta Falcons are way too talented not to figure things out offensively. They ran into a buzzsaw of a Vikings defense ready to prove that 2018 was a letdown season. Expect Atlanta to bounce and get back on track going forward, especially Julio Jones. There's no way he's being held to anything close to 31 yards a game going forward.
What's your top upset pick for Week 2?
Bowen: Saints (+2.5) over Rams. Going back to the Week 9 film from 2018, and the NFC Championship Game, I'm looking at Sean Payton's ability here to scheme up specific matchups for Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas versus Wade Phillips' defense. Quick throws for Drew Brees that get his playmakers the ball in the open field. Give me the Saints to win this one on the road.
Reid: Vikings (+3) over Packers. Although I love what the Vikings are attempting to build in the running game with Dalvin Cook, I'm not as down on Kirk Cousins as, apparently, most people who watch the NFL. Without much of a running game last season, Cousins completed 70.1% of his passes for almost 4,300 yards with 30 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. I mean, I get that the Vikings didn't make the playoffs, but Cousins can play. The Vikings didn't need Cousins to do much in their blowout of the Falcons. He'll do more this week. And if Cook also does his thing again, the Packers will go down at Lambeau Field.
Schatz: Lions (+2.5) over Chargers. Detroit ranked ninth in pressure rate allowed last season and should be able to mostly keep Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram off Matthew Stafford. And the strong defensive line led by Damon Harrison should shut down the Chargers' running game. Withstanding the Chargers' passing game is a different issue, but they could pull out a close one.
Seifert: Vikings (+3) over Packers. I like the Vikings' chances of using Cook to possess and move the ball against the Packers' tough defense, minimizing the pressure on Cousins. And I don't see many quick fixes in a Packers offense that had one good quarter in Week 1 against the Bears.
Yates: Lions (+2.5) over Chargers. The Lions imploded in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals, settling for a frustrating tie. But there were some encouraging signs up to that point, and the rugged defensive line should make life more difficult on Austin Ekeler than he had in Week 1.
Who's your pick to be the biggest fantasy flop this weekend?
Bowen: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. In Week 1, Cousins attempted just 10 passes. And while I anticipate an uptick in attempts for him Sunday against the Packers, the Vikings' run-heavy game script limits the ceiling of Cousins versus an aggressive Green Bay secondary,
Reid: Redskins QB Case Keenum. Yeah, Keenum passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. But he couldn't keep Washington moving while it squandered a 17-point lead in an embarrassing loss. The Cowboys' defense is young, fast, physical. Trust me on this one: Put Keenum on the bench.
Schatz: Colts RB Marlon Mack. You might be surprised to learn that the Tennessee Titans were fourth in the league allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs last year, and they kept Nick Chubb out of the end zone in Week 1.
Seifert: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. I see another defensive battle for Green Bay, this time against the Vikings. Rodgers won't get much time to throw against the Vikings' pass rush, which put Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan under pressure on 32.7% of his dropbacks in Week 1.
Yates: Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay. The Bears' defense should swallow up just about every running back it faces this season, which included Green Bay's Aaron Jones in Week 1. I'm not expecting much space for Lindsay to operate on Sunday.
On a scale of 1-10, how worried should Browns fans be about their team's poor start?
Bowen: 3. There should be a sense of urgency within the building after the Browns played sloppy football in the Week 1 loss to the Titans. However, the turnovers and penalties are correctable situations. Lot of talent in Cleveland.
Reid: 2. Come on, people. I get that all anyone wants to do these days is overreact ... but let's not overreact. On both sides of the ball, the Browns are a good team. Just chill.
Schatz: 4. I was arguing in the preseason that the Browns may not be as good as anticipated, particularly on defense. But there's still a limit to how much you should react to a single game.
Seifert: 6. I saw two developments that aren't quick fixes. First, the Browns might have a ton of great offensive skill players, but their line was outplayed by the Titans' front. Second, their 18 penalties was an early warning sign of a predictable lack of discipline. Coaches talk about "cleaning up" unforced mistakes, but that's more of a culture thing than a coaching point.
Yates: 4. There were some discouraging signs and the upcoming schedule is difficult, but for now, substantial panic need not set in. The offensive line was porous, Mayfield was careless with the football, and the defense couldn't hold its ground against Derrick Henry. A sign of mental toughness will be how Cleveland responds Monday against the Jets.
Pick a fringe fantasy player who should be started in Week 2.
Bowen: Lions TE T.J. Hockenson. In his first pro game, the Iowa alum caught 6 of 9 targets for 131 yards and a touchdown. Plus, the Lions set the table for the rookie with specific schemes to get him open in the route tree. Given the volume here, and his role in the Detroit offense, Hockenson can be started in deeper leagues vs. the Chargers in Week 2.
Reid: Cowboys WR Michael Gallup. Did anyone watch the second-year player's performance against the Giants? Also, the Cowboys play Washington and the Dolphins the next two weeks. Go get him.
Schatz: Ravens TE Mark Andrews. He led Baltimore in receiving yards in Week 1. Meanwhile, Arizona allowed Detroit tight end T.J. Hockenson to set an all-time tight end record for receiving yards in an NFL debut.
Seifert: Vikings WR Chad Beebe. The Vikings are going to have to throw more than 10 times to beat the Packers, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cousins look quickly in Beebe's direction.
Yates: Bengals WR John Ross III. I'll take the bait: I think what Ross did in Week 1 is the start of something good. He played 81% of the snaps and secured a pair of touchdowns on 12 targets. It was a breakthrough game, and Zac Taylor has infused this offense with a massive dose of creativity and energy.