NFL: Week 1 Recap – Week 2 Key Match Ups

The rabid NFL fans finally got their fix of real games with some entertaining ones.

Week 1 Recap

• Seahawks Found A Way – It was not looking good for SEA with QB Sam Darnold going down on the first drive and the Patriots controlling the pace of the game. However, the SEA D turned it up intercepting NE QB Drake Maye 3 times in the 2nd half including an ill-advised throw in FG territory late that cost the Patriots a shot to tie the game. SEA won, 13-10.
• 49ers Dominate Down Under – HC Kyle Shanahan continued his dominance over Rams’ HC Sean McVay. The decision to get to Australia a week earlier than the Rams paid off, as the 49ers were clicking on all cylinders in their 27-7. After the game, Rams’ DE Myles Garrett now needed surgery on his knee and will miss the next 4 games or more.
• Bears’ Record Day – The Bears may have the most prolific combination of Head Coach and QB in the league with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, but it is the lack of D that makes them keep scoring. The Bears racked up an amazing 552 yards including 291 yards rushing en route to their 59-37 win over Carolina. The Bears haven’t scored that many points since 1980.
• Bills Outduel HOU – QB Josh Allen (334 yards passing, 2 TDs and 2 rushing TDs) finally was able to best that tough Texans’ D in a big moment. Despite, HOU’s QB CJ Stroud big game (274 yards, 2 TDs) and a near INT of Allen on the BUF final drive – the Bills were able to hold off the Texans in the 36-31 win.
• Lions Need OT to Win – DET was in control, especially after a controversial strip sack, fumble, TD reversal in the Lions’ favor. However, down 21-0 in the 3rd Quarter – NO’s QB Tyler Shough went off for 410 yards, and 3 TDs – WR Chris Olave was incredible with 10 catches, 182 yards. Still, as the Saints forced OT, they fell short on their 2 point conversion attempt to win in OT for a loss, 31-30.
• AZ Shocked Chargers – Normally, a 9.5 favorite would roll in Week 1. However, all the hype over the new look Chargers’ O was empty, as the Cardinals stole the show. AZ outgained LA 393 to 268, but more importantly the AZ D forced a fumble, picked off the severely overrated Justin Herbert and special teams blocked a punt in the 26-14 win – eliminating thousands from Survivor Pools like me from the Circa Contest.
• Chiefs Are Back – After a tough end of the 2025 season without QB Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs made a statement on MNF in their beatdown of Denver – 31-10. Maybe people buried the KC a little too quickly. RB Kenneth Walker ripped off 173 yards rushing and a TD against that vaunted D (he added a TD receiving too).

Predictions will start this week, but I had a strong start to the season.

Fantasy Football – Waiver Wire Prospects

Not a great waiver wire, but you have to be active if you lost players.

• QB – Bryce Young, CAR (23% Rostered) – He has two very good weapons in McMillan and Coker. He will not play the Bears every week, but he is underrated.
• RB – Kaelon Black, SF (62% Rostered) – Black got a lot of touches to help McCaffery keep this touches down. 15 touches for 70 yards is not world-beating, but he is one heartbeat away from major production.
• WR – Devaugh Vele, NO (9% Rostered) – The Saints will not be trailing by 21 all the time, but as good as Olave is, someone has to get single coverage until the rookie Tyson comes back. Big first game with 9 targets, 7 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD.
• WR – Dontayvion Wicks, PHI (15% Rostered) – With Devonta Smith getting the #1 CB, Wicks got some opportunities and even scored a TD. I’m not a fan of the PHI Offense, but someone has to get targets outside.
• TE – David Njoku, LAC (11% Rostered) – With McConkey day to day, Herbert needs a reliable target. Njoku had 5 catches for 58 yards, and I think he can do well against the Raiders.

Power Rankings – Wegs Index will start after Week 4

1. Ravens – The Ravens looked great with the new OC in Declan Doyle at the helm, and the Jesse Minter D was much improved. The Ravens look the part.
2. Bills – Putting up 36 on the HOU D is not easy. As long as Josh Allen is healthy, they will have a shot in every game.
3. 49ers – I’m still not high on them, but it is hard to argue with the beatdown they gave the Rams. If they can somehow stay healthy, then they can stay up on top of this list.
4. Chiefs – A healthy Mahomes, running game and a stingy D will win you a lot of games.
5. Texans – One dropped INT would have put the Texans by in #2, but CJ Stroud’s effort is a promising look.

Key Matchups in Week 2

• Lions at Bills (-4.5, 53.5 Total) – Thursday, 9/17 at 7:15 PM Central on Amazon – A battle of top Offenses in this one on a short week, so it usually is advantage home team. Both teams had to battle to the end in their Week 1 matchups, so not sure there is an advantage. The key to the game is can the BUF D slow down DET’s Jamyr Gibbs – Goff’s play action is the key to the offense. The Bills can score on most teams, so I think they have the upper hand – new stadium in prime time – Bills’ fans will be going nuts. BUF wins, Spread is a little high, but I’ll still take BUF -4.5. Total Over 53.5.
• Vikings at Bears (-5.5, 48.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/20 at 12 Noon Central on FOX – This early NFC North battle will go a long way in the standings in the end. I almost always like the Bears at home against the Vikings in any year. Of course. the MIN QB Kyler Murray concussion is big in this handicap. I still think the Bears win this one regardless of the MIN starter, but the spread seems high for a divisional matchup, so MIN +5.5, Total Over 48.5 – Bears will be an over team all year, even though MIN’s DC Brian Flores may have some tricks up his sleeve for Caleb Williams and Carson Wentz may not be able to take advantage for MIN.
• Bengals at Texans (-2.5, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/20 at 12 Noon Central on CBS – The Bengals looked good for once on Week 1. Their D forced several TOs, which led to 24 points, that worries me if not repeated. So, I like HOU in this one, Cover -2.5, and Under 46.5. Of course, if the Bengals win, then that will be a huge tiebreaker late in the season.
• Jags at Broncos (-2.5, 45.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/20 at 3:05 PM Central on CBS – The Jags rocked the Browns in Week 1, but the Broncos were embarrassed by the Chiefs on MNF. Something has to give here. I think DEN should bounce back, but the Jags O is really proficient. So, I like the Jags to steal this one on the road, Cover +2.5 and Total Over 44.5.
• Giants at Rams (-7, 48.5 Total) – Monday, 9/21 at 7:15 PM Central on ESPN/ABC – The Giants took care of DAL on SNF, and the Rams had a tough trip to Australia. Can the Rams bounce back even without Garrett? I wouldn’t want to be in the Rams building today. So, the Rams will win this one, but I do not like the spread. NYG +7 and Total Under 48.5.

On to Week 2.

Wegs