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Friday, September 10, 2021
Well, that was worth the wait, huh?
In Thursday's season opener between the Buccaneers and Cowboys, Dak Prescott looked incredible, Tom Brady looked just as good, and pretty much every pass-catcher had a great game. That's how you want to start off an NFL season -- unless, you know, you started Ezekiel Elliott or Mike Evans.
It wasn't all good news Thursday, however, as the Ravens took another couple of huge hits, losing starting RB Gus Edwards and DB Marcus Peters with season-ending ACL tears on consecutive plays during practice. That's the third season-ending injury the Ravens have suffered at running back, and it means undrafted rookie free agent Ty'Son Williams is likely to have a huge role, while any one of Latavius Murray, Le'Veon Bell, or Devonta Freeman could eventually emerge as a legitimate difference maker, as all three have signed in recent days. It's a weird situation, one that I broke down here. What you need to know right now is, at least for Week 1, Williams is a solid starting option. Beyond that? Anyone's guess. 
You can read about more Week 1 injuries in my game previews further down, but first, let's recap Thursday's opener before I give you some lineup help, a Vegas perspective, and something to watch for every game on the NFL schedule in Week 1. And if that doesn't answer all of your lineup questions, send them my way at Chris.Towers@CBSi.com with the subject line "#AskFFT" and they'll get included in my Sunday morning mailbag — plus, you can catch our YouTube stream Sunday morning at 11:30 am where Adam Aizer and I will be answering all of your lineup questions. 
Get ready for Week 1 with all of our preview content here:  
And here's what the rest of today's newsletter has in store to help you get ready for Week 1:
  • 🏈TNF Fantasy Recap: Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 29
  • 🔍Week 1 Game Previews: Vegas notes, lineup decisions, and injury updates
🏈TNF Recap: Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 29
The Cowboys went punch for punch with the defending champions, and would have won with better execution in the red zone. Or better kicking:
  • The big takeaway: Dak Prescott looked fine. More than fine, actually. There were a few moments when he looked a little rusty early -- and more than a few where he looked surprisingly slow while scrambling -- but Prescott was terrific in this one, passing for 403 yards on 42 of 58 passing and three touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb was his favorite target early, but Prescott really shined when he was looking for Amari Cooper , who finished with 13 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets. I'm sticking with my prediction that Cooper is the 1a and Lamb is the 1b, but the takeaway here is that Prescott looks more than capable of supporting two potential top-12 WRs. And there's still room for the likes of Dalton Schultz (six targets) and Michael Gallup (seven) to be relevant. Dan Schneier and I broke down the game on Friday's episode of the Fantasy Football Today In 5 podcast, so go check that out and subscribe via  SpotifyApple or anywhere else you get your podcasts. 
  • Winner(s): There was so much to be excited about in this one, but we'll start with the big one: Antonio Brown looked incredible. He caught five of seven targets for 121 yards and a long touchdown. He's been drawing rave reviews from practice, and while the seven targets is a little disappointing, the production wasn't. He should be viewed as an easy top-30 WR moving forward ... Rob Gronkowski also turned back the clock, going for 90 yards and two scores on eight catches and eight targets. He played 56 of 64 snaps while Cameron Brate played 18 and O.J. Howard played just six. Don't overreact to this one game, but this was a very good start with a lot of positives to take away ... Dalton Schultz was involved early and ended up out-snapping Blake Jarwin while catching six passes for 45 yards. I think Jarwin is the better player, but right now, Schultz looks like the one to target as a streaming TE ... Oh, yeah: Tom Brady was awesome. Picking up right where he left off last season. 
  • Loser: Ezekiel Elliott was probably a victim of game planning and a tough opponent, as the Cowboys wisely abandoned the run very early on in this one. Early on, it felt like Tony Pollard was playing an alarming amount, but Elliott played three times as many snaps, including most of the pass plays, so I really didn't see anything alarming here ... Leonard Fournette got the start and dominated playing time, especially after Ronald Jones fumbled. The Buccaneers continue to give Jones absolutely zero margin for error -- a standard Fournette certainly isn't held to, as evidenced by his significant role despite a bad drop that turned into an interception. He played nearly two-thirds of the offensive plays and had a bigger role in the passing game than even Giovani Bernard. I think this backfield is going to be a mess all season, but Round 1 goes to Fournette. 
  • One thing you might have missed: It was a very disappointing game for Mike Evans , who caught just three of six targets for 24 yards. That brought back unwelcome memories of Evans' start to 2020, when he had 41 or fewer yards in five of his first seven games and was only Fantasy viable because of touchdowns. Of course, maybe he just ran into a tougher matchup than we expected: Trevon Diggs shadowed Evans on 39 of 47 routes, limiting him to one catch on those 39 routes. Could be something to watch in future games against the Cowboys. 
🔍Week 1 Game Previews
There's something to watch in every game on the NFL schedule every week, even if you have to squint to see it sometimes. This week, however, there are so many unanswered questions that it's hard to settle on just one thing for each game. Here's a look ahead at every Week 1 game, with some notes on what Vegas is expecting to see, some lineup help and one thing to watch for from each game:
All odds are via William Hill Sportsbook. 
Jets at Panthers
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Panthers -4.0; 44 O/U 
  • Implied totals: Panthers 24.25-Jets 19.75
We don't quite know what to expect from either team here, with a new starting quarterback in place for each, but the Jets are the bigger unknown with a new coaching staff in place as well. The expectation is they'll look at least a little bit like the 49ers, with an emphasis on the running game and putting the ball in the hands of playmakers in space in the passing game. Zach Wilson is a wild card, but if he hits the ground running, the Jets could give the Panthers more than they bargained for. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Elijah Moore -- Sit in 12-team leagues. And probably 14-team leagues. I love his potential, but we're just not sure what his role is going to be -- especially if Jamison Crowder (COVID) is able to play. 
  • What we're watching for: There's so much to watch here. Can Sam Darnold remain aggressive while limiting turnovers, something he couldn't do with the Jets. Is Wilson ready to be an NFL starter? How much will he lean on Corey Davis -- Davis was targeted nine times on 13 routes in the preseason and could be a very good Fantasy starter. And will Michael Carter have a big enough role to be Fantasy relevant? Outside of Christian McCaffrey, we kind of have questions about everyone in this game. 
  • Injuries: Jamison Crowder (COVID) -- Crowder will need to be asymptomatic for 48 hours and then return two negative tests 24 hours apart to be cleared for Sunday. At this point, we don't know what part of the process he's in, but this could be a game-time decision ... La'Mical Perine (foot) -- Limited at practice Wednesday, but is expected to play and could be the short-yardage back here. He has very little Fantasy appeal until we see how valuable his role is, however. I'm not expecting it to be valuable. 

Eagles at Falcons 
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Falcons -3; 48.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Falcons 25.75-Eagles 22.75
We're looking at the debut of two of the most hyped skill players of this rookie class in Kyle Pitts and Devonta Smith. Both of these offenses could be very good, and this one could turn into a shootout, but both offenses also have a lot of questions to answer as well. I'm viewing both quarterbacks as top-12 options for this week.
  • Toughest lineup decision: Devonta Smith -- Sit. I don't think the Eagles are going to throw it much, and I'm not sure how much they're going to throw it to Smith, at least early on. I expect Hurts to lean on his tight ends pretty heavily from what we heard in training camp
  • What we're watching for: We know Jalen Hurts can run, but with a healthy Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert and the addition of Smith, we're gonna learn how well he can pass this season. In a game where they might be trailing points, this should be a good test. On the Falcons side, we want to see how much Mike Davis dominates the RB work, because the best thing he has going for him in Fantasy is projected volume. If Wayne Gallman is cutting into that, it could send him tumbling down the ranks. We also, obviously, want to see how Pitts is used in his first NFL game -- expect him to look a lot more like a wide receiver than a tight end, which is fine by us.
  • Injuries: No notable injuries on either side to report as of now.
Cardinals at Titans
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Titans -3.0; 52.0 O/U
  • Implied totals: Titans 27.5-Cardinals 24.5
It's mostly status quo for these two teams in the big picture, but the Titans addition of Julio Jones (and the loss of Jonnu Smith and Corey Davis) could alter their approach. They'll never be a high-volume passing game, but if Jones and A.J. Brown are healthy, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to make sure they're heavily involved.
  • Toughest lineup decision: Chase Edmonds - Start. I ended up really talking myself into Edmonds this offseason, though I view him as more of a low-end RB2 to start the season until I see how much of a factor James Conner will be. 
  • What we're watching for:  Is Kyler Murray ready to take another leap? How much will Rondale Moore factor into the Week 1 game plan? His after-the-catch playmaking could help unlock Murray's upside if it frees up DeAndre Hopkins to work down the field more. On the Titans side, does the change in offense coordinator and addition of a 1b alpha wide receiver change their approach at all? I'm still expecting Derrick Henry to lead the league in rush attempts.  
  • Injuries: A.J. Brown (knee) -- Brown did not practice Wednesday, but that wasn't a rarity in 2020 as he managed pain in both knees, so I'm not worried about it ... yet. 
Chargers at Washington
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: PICK; 44.5.0 O/U
  • Implied totals: Chargers 22.75-Washington 22.75
A new coaching staff for the Chargers, a new starting quarterback for Washington, and very good defenses on each side. Expectations are high for both offenses, but this one may not be the shootout we're hoping for. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Austin Ekeler -- Wait for the injury report. If Ekeler is able to play through his hamstring injury, you're going to start him. I expect him to potentially lead all running backs in targets this season if healthy. If he doesn't play, I probably wouldn't start either of Justin Jackson or Joshua Kelley, given that we don't know what to expect from their usage (and don't think either is particularly good). 
  • What we're watching for:  The biggest thing I'm keeping an eye on is Antonio Gibson's third-down usage. He played just one third-down snap in the preseason, and though Washington did scheme up a few targets for him in early downs, his upside is capped if he's still ceding most of the passing downs work to J.D. McKissic. I also want to see what the new-look Chargers offense looks like, especially how Mike Williams gets used after drawing some Michael Thomas comparisons in camp from Joe Lombardi, the new offensive coordinator. 
  • Injuries: Austin Ekeler (hamstring) -- Did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. This is arguably the  key injury to watch this week, and while there have been reports that the injury is not considered serious, I think you have to start making alternate plans if you have him in your lineup ... Curtis Samuel (groin) -- Samuel has been dealing with this injury since May, and he suffered a setback before practice Wednesday and did not participate Thursday either. I'm not expecting him to play, and I'm growing pessimistic about a guy who was arguably my favorite breakout candidate this preseason. 
Seahawks at Colts
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Seahawks -3; 50 O/U
  • Implied totals: Seahawks 26.5-Colts 23.5
The Seahawks head into this game ready to unveil their new offensive system, which is expected to speed up the tempo and put more responsibility on Russell Wilson's shoulders. He's ready for it. The Colts may not be quite ready for the season, though, as Carson Wentz missed much of training camp, first with a foot injury and then with COVID. They also have real questions along multiple spots on the offensive line and are relying on a very green receiving corps. This could get ugly. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Michael Pittman -- Sit. Pittman has a big opportunity with T.Y. Hilton out following neck surgery, but I need to see him thrive as the No. 1 option before I feel comfortable trusting him. 
  • What we're watching for:  This Colts offense could take a step forward from last year, but they need Wentz to rediscover his pre-2020 form. Some signs of that -- comfort in the pocket facing a pass rush, most notably -- would be really nice to see. On the Seahawks side of things, this is our first look at their new offense, which means it's hard to know exactly what to expect. We'll have a better idea heading into Week 2.
  • Injuries: Rashaad Penny (calf) -- Penny could be Chris Carson's primary backup, but he'll need to prove he can stay healthy and be effective first ... Dee Eskridge (toe) -- Eskridge has been battling this injury since June, and the team figures to limit his reps as long as it remains an issue, so don't expect the rookie to make a big impact right away ... Quenton Nelson (foot/back)/Eric Fisher (Achilles) -- Both were limited at practice Thursday, but Nelson is much more likely to play. Fisher is probably not going to be active for Week 1, however the fact that he wasn't placed on IR means a return for Week 3 seems likely. The line is supposed to be a strength for the Colts, but left tackle was a problem spot with Fisher sidelined during camp. 
Vikings at Bengals
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Vikings -3; 47.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Vikings 25.25-Bengals 22.25
The Vikings want to run the ball as much as possible. The Bengals probably do too in Joe Burrow's first real game action since tearing his ACL. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Ja'Marr Chase -- Sit. I've got Chase on a lot of my teams because I love the long-term upside he brings to the table. However, I am worried about him getting off to a slow start, and not just because he was dropping passes in the preseason. Most rookies need some time to get going, and that figures to be especially true of a guy who sat out the 2020 season. Be patient with him. 
  • What we're watching for:  How the Vikings go about replacing Irv Smith is one thing to watch, because we could see them lean on Dalvin Cook more in the passing game while also using more three-WR sets -- no team used three-WR less often than the Vikings in 2020. On the Bengals side, I want to see Burrow look comfortable and I want to see Joe Mixon get five targets or more. If he does that most weeks, he's a top-five RB
  • Injuries: Tyler Conklin  (hamstring) -- Was upgraded to a full participant in practice Friday and could be third in the offense in targets. He's an interesting sleeper to watch out for. 
Jaguars at Texans
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Jaguars -3; 45.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Jaguars 24.25-Texans-21.25
Given the way we've spent this offseason talking about the Texans, you might be surprised to see them as just three-point underdogs. If Jacksonville can put together a few good drives early, it's hard to see how Houston can keep up.  
  • Toughest lineup decision: Jacksonville WRs -- Sit. I don't have a hard time seeing how D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, or Marvin Jones can have a good season, but I don't see all three of them playing well in Trevor Lawrence's first game ever. But I have no sense of what the hierarchy might be. I'll let that get settled before I get any of them in my lineup. 
  • What we're watching for: How do the Jaguars use their WR? Does James Robinson get a significant role again like he did last season? And do any of the Texans skill players besides Brandin Cooks get enough touches to matter? 
  • Injuries: No relevant injuries to speak of. 
Steelers at Bills
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: Bills -6.5; 48.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Bills 27.25-Steelers 20.75
It looks like Vegas has the same concerns about the Steelers that I do, which is surprising. The Fantasy industry has an awful lot invested in this offense, so if it struggles it will be especially disappointing. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Chase Claypool - Sit. I'm not saying you have to sit Claypool, because it's entirely possible he really does take that big step forward this season and emerges as a legitimate No. 1 WR. But I want to see this offense move the ball well before I buy into who might be their No. 3 target. 
  • What we're watching for: There aren't many questions about the Bills offense, but there will be reason to monitor the backfield split -- Devin Singletary is my choice for the best option, but I wouldn't view him as a starter. As for Pittsburgh, this is our first extended opportunity to see Matt Canada's new offense in action, with Ben Roethlisberger expected to play under center more often than he has in years. Can he make that transition this late in his career? And how much will the Steelers rely on rookie first-rounder Najee Harris?
  • Injuries: Emmanuel Sanders (foot) — Expect to see Sanders limited at practice throughout the season as the Bills try to keep the veteran fresh, but I expect him to be the No. 2 target for Josh Allen and view him as a potential Flex play.
49ers at Lions
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
  • Line: 49ers -7.5; 45 O/U
  • Implied totals: 49ers 26.25-18.75
Expectations are low for this Lions offense, and rightly so. How low? This is the lowest implied total on the schedule. The 49ers should win easily. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Brandon Aiyuk -- Sit. I really, really like Aiyuk as a player, but I'm not expecting the 49ers to throw the ball much, and I'm just not sure how the hierarchy is going to shake out for the 49ers passing game. I think Aiyuk will see more targets than Deebo Samuel, but I still expect George Kittle to be the No. 1, so I'm not sure I want to trust Aiyuk just yet. 
  • What we're watching for: If Trey Lance is able to play, how much do the 49ers use the No. 3 overall pick in his debut? They've installed a handful of packages for him, and in their last preseason game, he and Jimmy Garoppolo were swapping on and off the field regularly. If that's the case in Week 1, it's going to make this an incredibly difficult offense to predict. On the Lions side, we want to see how T.J. Hockenson fares as the clear No. 1 target and we want to see how D'Andre Swift looks after missing much of camp with a groin injury. If he's fully healthy, how much does he split work with veteran Jamaal Williams?
  • Injuries: Trey Lance (finger) -- Lance has progressed to throwing in his recovery from a chip fracture on his throwing hand, and it looks like he'll be good to go. I'm excited to see him play ... D'Andre Swift (groin) -- Swift has been practicing in full and it looks like he may not have any limitations for this one. 
Broncos at Giants 
  • Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
  • Line: Broncos -3.0; 41.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Broncos 22.25-Giants 19.25
Expectations are moving in opposite directions for these two teams, especially given the Giants injury issues this offseason. I would be kind of surprised if this one was actually this close, given that Broncos defense. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Saquon Barkley -- Start. I understand the concerns about Barkley and his projected workload given how limited he was in camp, but I do still expect him to have enough of a role to be worth using as a No. 2 RB. I don't have the guts to sit Barkley even in a limited role. 
  • What we're watching for: The Broncos have no shortage of playmakers, and we think Teddy Bridgewater should be an upgrade over Drew Lock . But can he do enough -- especially near the end zone -- to help Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Noah Fant live up to expectations? And for the Giants, with Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Kyle Rudolph, and Barkley all expected to be limited, I'm not sure we'll be able to learn much about this offense even if Daniel Jones is able to stay upright behind this offensive line.
  • Injuries: Saquon Barkley (knee)/Kenny Golladay (hamstring)/Kyle Rudolph (foot)/Kadarius Toney  (hamstring) -- All four have been limited in practice this week, but all four are expected to play ... Evan Engram (calf) -- You can't say the same about Engram, who hasn't practiced this week and seems likely to miss the season opener. 
Browns at Chiefs
  • Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
  • Line: Chiefs -5.5; 54.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Chiefs 30.25-Browns 24.25
Well, Vegas isn't buying into the Browns rebuilt defense, at least. I think this unit can play better, but it's asking an awful lot for them to slow down this offense. That being said ... they get the Texans next week, and you might want to stash them if you can.  
  • Toughest lineup decision: Odell Beckham -- Sit. I'm kind of on an island here. All signs point to Beckham making his return from a torn ACL in Week 1, but there seems to be an expectation among beat writers in Cleveland that Beckham's playing time may be limited early on. I think there's potential for him to emerge as a starter this season, but I can't trust it in his first game back. 
  • What we're watching for:  Outside of Beckham's usage, there aren't many questions about Cleveland's offense. And, on the Chiefs side, it's really just about Clyde Edwards-Helaire's usage. If he's still limited in short-yardage and obvious passing situations, he's going to be a disappointment yet again this season.
  • Injuries: Odell Beckham (knee) -- He's been limited in practice still, but is expected to play at this point ... Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) -- He's practiced in full all week and is going to play. No concerns here ... Mecole Hardman (oblique) -- Ditto for Hardman, who was upgraded to full participation Thursday. He's an intriguing flex option as he tries to turn into a third-year breakout as the No. 2 WR for the Chiefs offense. 
Dolphins at Patriots
  • Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
  • Line: Patriots -2.0; 43.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Patriots 23.25-Dolphins 20.25
These should both be pretty good defenses, and with Mac Jones making his first start, smart money might be on the Dolphins. Of course, that might depend on whether Tua Tagovailoa is ready to make a leap himself.  
  • Toughest lineup decision: Jaylen Waddle -- Flex only. I think Waddle is going to end up being the No. 2 option for Miami once Will Fuller is active, but he should see plenty of targets this week, and the Dolphins will probably move him all over the formation and get him the ball in a myriad of ways. There's plenty of upside here, but there are also enough questions in his NFL debut to caution against getting expectations too high. 
  • What we're watching for:  We've heard very good things about Tagovailoa from training camp, and there could be a lot of upside in this offense if he connects on the deep ball as consistently as it sounds like he did in camp. Against a tough defense, it would be nice to see Tagovailoa connect on a few deep shots. We also want to see Myles Gaskin be a true three-down back, something we've grown much less comfortable predicting after a weird preseason that saw Malcolm Brown get the first start. On the Patriots side, we're looking at new starters at pretty much every skill position, so it's hard to know exactly how the targets are likely to be dispersed in Jones' first start. We should see a lot of Damien Harris running the ball in this one. 
  • Injuries: Nelson Agholor (ankle) -- It didn't seem like this was much to be concerned about when he was limited Thursday, but now you have to question whether Agholor will be active ... DeVante Parker (shoulder) -- Parker missed a lot of time in training camp, but it looks like he'll be active for this one. He's an interesting sleeper for DFS purposes, mostly. 
Packers at Saints
  • Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
  • Line: Packers -3.5; 49.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Packers 27.25-Rams 22.75
It's kind of surprising the Saints are getting so much deference from the oddsmakers in the first game of the post-Drew Brees era in a "home" game in Jacksonville against such a tough opponent. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Marquez Callaway -- Start. The Packers secondary is a pretty tough one for Callaway in his first game as the expected top target, but with Jameis Winston under center, I think he'll get enough targets to be worth starting. Honestly, I'm a little surprised at how much confidence I have in him, too!
  • What we're watching for:  Well, what the heck does the Saints offense look like without Brees is a pretty good place to start! We've seen them play without him over the past few seasons, but there's a big difference in style between Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill and Winston. In the limited preseason action we saw, Winston was still chucking it down the field, and if he's doing that when the games count, this becomes a very interesting offense. I also want to see if the release of Latavius Murray leads to more carries for Alvin Kamara. On the Packers side, there isn't much unknown, but I do want to see how much A.J. Dillon gets used, especially near the goal line, and whether reports of Marquez Valdes-Scantling taking a step forward are more than just camp chatter. 
  • Injuries: Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) -- Smith missed time during camp with a leg injury, and now he's dealing with this. It kept him out of practice entirely Thursday, and at this point, I would bet against him playing. Just more opportunity for Callaway -- and for deep sleeper Juwan Johnson, a converted WR playing tight end. 
Bears at Rams
  • Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
  • Line: Rams -7.5; 46.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Rams 27-Bears 19.5
We'll see new quarterbacks for each team in this one, and hopes are high in both situations. Though, in Chicago, the guy everyone is excited for won't be starting this one. Given the quality of the Rams defense, that's probably for the best. . 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Allen Robinson -- Start. Look, if you want an analyst who is going to sit someone like Robinson in Week 1 because of a bad matchup, you've subscribed to the wrong newsletter. Matchups matter, but only so much. Unless you have Julio Jones or something as your worst starter, you're keeping Robinson in the lineup. 
  • What we're watching for: On the Bears side, I want to see David Montgomery used in the passing game like he was after Tarik Cohen's injury last season. Otherwise, I'll be waiting patiently for Justin Fields to enter the lineup. On the Rams side, how much will Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel play? Henderson is the one to trust in Week 1, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Michel usurped him as the starter before long. And, in the passing game, how much does the addition of Matthew Stafford change the offense? My guess is, we see a much more aggressive offense than we have over the past two seasons. 
  • Injuries: Darnell Mooney (back)— It's not quite clear where Mooney is likely to miss Sunday's game, but Friday should give us a better indication. I'm assuming he plays. 
Ravens at Raiders
  • Monday, 8:15 p.m.
  • Line: Ravens -4; 50.5 O/U
  • Implied totals: Ravens 27.75-Raiders 23.75
The Ravens are down to, arguably, their fourth-string running back after Gus Edwards was lost for the season, but it shouldn't matter much. Lamar Jackson is the engine that makes this offense move, and he'll make just about any running back look good next to him. 
  • Toughest lineup decision: Ty'Son Williams -- Start. I'm not sure if Williams is a must-start, because he's a fringe-y RB2 for me. However, my expectations for him this week aren't much different from what I expected from Edwards, which is around 65-75 yards and a pretty good chance for a touchdown. I expect very little usage in the passing game, however, which is what leaves him in that fringe territory. . 
  • What we're watching for:  The Ravens are down multiple wide receivers in addition to their RB woes. Is Jackson enough to overcome all of that? Can Marquise Brown find consistency after his strong close to 2021? And on the Raiders side, we want to see how much Kenyan Drake cuts into Josh Jacobs' workload. There's a chance Drake ends up one of the better sleepers in the league. 
  • Injuries: Josh Jacobs (toe) -- Jacobs was limited at practice, but I don't have any reason to think this is something to be concerned about right now. 
 
 
The fight for the Scudetto heats up on Match Day 3! On Saturday, Napoli look to make a statement at home against a struggling Juventus side, and AC Milan hosts Lazio on Sunday in a match of undefeated title favorites!
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This Sunday, Week 1 of the NFL on CBS kicks off with a fantastic doubleheader, starting at noon eastern. Then at 4:25 PM ET, catch a matchup between two of the best young QB's when Mayfield's Browns battle Mahomes and the Chiefs.
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