Facts vs. Feelings: What eight notable Week 1 performances mean for Week 2
Facts vs. Feelings: What eight notable Week 1 performances mean for Week 2. Feelings: What eight notable Week 1 performances mean for Week 210hLiz LozaFantasy football matchup rankings for Week 2: Prescott, McLaurin poised to rebound4hTristan H.
What happened
You may have mixed feelings about these Week 1 performances, but let the facts guide you to wise Week 2 decisions. CockcroftplayWhy Bucky Irving's Week 1 performance showed he has 'RB1 upside' (0:52)Liz LozaSep 16, 2026, 08:26 AM ETCloseLiz Loza is a writer for fantasy football and betting at ESPN and host of the "Facts vs. The combined 96-point total means it becomes the highest-scoring week one game ever, with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams accounting for four total touchdowns to lead the charge.
Skip to main content Skip to navigation Facts vs. CockcroftRavens place rookie Lane on IR, face potential WR shortage in Week 2Baltimore Ravens2hJamison HensleySeahawks' Darnold avoids IR but ruled out vs. 224 on testIndianapolis Colts8hStephen HolderBrowns place RB Sampson on IR with knee injuryCleveland Browns1dDaniel OyefusiFantasy football rankings for Week 28hESPN FantasyFantasy football free agents: Shough, Black, Coker highlight top options for Week 22dEric KarabellFantasy football rankings for Week 28hESPN FantasyKarabell's flex and superflex rankings for Week 22hEric KarabellBuzz: Aaron Jones arrow up as Vikes put Jordan Mason on IR, plus NFL Nation notes4hESPN FantasyNFL Week 2 buzz: QB questions in Seattle, Minnesota and Atlanta?
Seattle Seahawks8hJeremy Fowler and Dan GrazianoFantasy football rankings for Week 28hESPN FantasyBuzz: Aaron Jones arrow up as Vikes put Jordan Mason on IR, plus NFL Nation notes4hESPN FantasyFantasy football 2026 offensive depth charts1dMike ClayFantasy football consistency ratings: 2024 through 202610hTristan H.
The wider picture
Sometimes we get tricked into thinking "new" means "better. Fresh off a dominant 21-fantasy-point performance in the opener, expect him to keep it rolling into Week 2. Last week, Jeff Hafley's unit made a Brock Bowers-less Raiders offense look entirely competent. Jeanty looked 100% healthy, shredding the Dolphins defense with three runs of 10 or more yards, which was good for the fifth most in Week 1 and the second-best mark of his young career. Given the question marks surrounding Bowers' Week 2 availability, Jeanty should eat again at the Chargers.
Hopefully, that number increases in Week 2, as the Cardinals are 4. Love is the ESPN consensus RB21 heading into the weekend. 6 FPTS) in Week 1, but he did finish as fantasy's RB22, ahead of brand names such as De'Von Achane (10.
What has been reported
While the Cowboys spent the offseason revamping its run defense, the unit has not yet appeared to jell, yielding 111 rushing yards to Giants RBs in Week 1. He was supported by an effective Geno Smith, who closed out Week 1 in the top five in completion percentage (79. Obviously, the Jets won't get the Titans every week. That sort of volume in a Week 2 matchup against the Packers should result in low-end WR1 fantasy numbers. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia EaglesReiterating the generous nature of the Titans defense, the Eagles' Week 2 opponents, Smith should fare better than his 3-53-0 stat line from the opener.
Notably, that big play occurred out of a 13 personnel grouping (one running back, three tight ends and one wide receiver), meaning Wicks was the lone wideout on the field. That means Wicks is going to be a big part of this offense, potentially capping Smith's ceiling. He projects as a WR2 for fantasy purposes in Week 2.
What happens next
Loveland ranked third at the position in routes run in Week 1. He figures to post legit numbers versus Minnesota in Week 2. This vulnerability bodes well for Loveland heading into Sunday's divisional matchup, which features the week's second-highest projected point total (49. Harold Fannin Jr. , TE, Cleveland BrownsFannin was out-targeted by Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy in Week 1. 6 fantasy points per game (TE4) from Weeks 12 through 18 last season, eventually replaces Watson. That said, Fannin could see a boost versus Tampa Bay in Week 2.
The Buccaneers failed to slow Mike Gesicki in Week 1, allowing the Bengals TE to convert a team-high seven looks for five catches, 78 yards and a score (18.
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