Author: Eternity Lab

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith didn’t mince words when he spoke about true freshman running back Legend Bey.

“Before Legend Bey leaves Ohio State, he will be a Heisman finalist, or he’ll end up winning it,'” Smith told reporters last month. “The things he’s been doing in practice have been pretty special.”

That’s high praise coming from someone many believe to be the best player in the sport, regardless of position. And sure enough, last weekend, fans saw with their own eyes exactly why Smith gave that praise. 

Bey is one of a handful of young Buckeyes — and one Longhorn — I’m keeping my eye on this Saturday when No. 1 Ohio State plays No. 4 Texas.

These players can not only climb the depth chart, but will be counted on as the wear and tear of the season inevitably piles up and the oft-used adage “next man up” becomes a reality.

5. Devin Sanchez, CB, Sophomore

Ohio State DB Devin Sanchez recorded 15 tackles as a true freshman. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

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Sanchez might be the most talented player on the entire Ohio State defense, and with Matt Patricia calling the shots, that translates into a first-round NFL talent at corner for the Buckeyes. 

The 6-foot-2, 199-pound cornerback made just one start as a true freshman, but he played in 13 games last season. He really began to shine in the Buckeyes’ win over Illinois, totaling five tackles and deflecting a pass.

Look for Sanchez on the field in third down situations against Texas. He’s likely going to be lined up against wide receivers Ryan Wingo or Cam Coleman, which is truly a best-on-best matchup.

4. Brock Boyd, WR, Freshman

Ohio State wide receiver Brock Boyd recorded a 22-yard catch in his first game as a Buckeye. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Boyd is perhaps the most underrated player on the Buckeyes’ offense. He left Southlake Carroll in Southlake, Texas, as the school’s all-time leading receiver. But he really emerged as a national prospect after lining up against 2027 No. 1 cornerback and Texas Longhorn John Meredith III as a sophomore and putting JM3 on a poster. Meredith has been looking forward to lining up against Boyd in college ever since.

3. John Meredith III, CB, Freshman

Texas cornerback John Meredith III was a five-star recruit in the 2026 class. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

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Meredith reclassified after the Texas University Interscholastic League declared him ineligible for his senior season, determining that he transferred high schools for athletic purposes. He joined the Longhorns late this summer and saw limited playing time against Texas State. He’s unlikely to have a major impact on Saturday’s game, but he’s worth watching if he checks in. Meredith is a consensus five-star with a gift for closing down wide receivers in coverage and using his 6-foot-2 frame to extend his coverage range.

2. Chris Henry Jr., WR, Freshman

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. had a 15-yard touchdown catch in his first game as a Buckeye. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

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The son of late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry is the heir apparent to Ohio State’s No. 1 wide receiver position. That means he’s expected to be as productive and feared as former Ohio State receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Smith. At 6-foot-5, he has great speed, an uncanny ability to quickly unfold that frame against tight coverage and exceptional body control.

Against Ball State last week, he dropped his first two targets. But his third target was a touchdown pass.

He’s in good company. Smith dropped his first-ever target, too.

1. Legend Bey, RB, Freshman

Ohio State running back Legend Bey rushed for 37 yards and added two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Bey is the next box-office Buckeye. He showed us why when he took a 25-yard swing pass to the end zone in OSU’s Week 1 win. In the process, he juked four Ball State defenders with one move, cut back across the field and broke a tackle for his first touchdown.

That’s the good — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball. The bad is the same — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball.

He demonstrated that when he didn’t listen to the up man on a kick return, brought the ball out, was tackled and left the Buckeyes with horrible field position. In one game, he appears to be a feast-or-famine player. But I believe that’s just his immaturity on display. When he grows up and stops making mental mistakes, he has the ability to be the most exciting player in the Big Ten.

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The New England Patriots will be without their prized offseason acquisition for the next month. 

Wide receiver A.J. Brown is out for at least four weeks due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Patriots’ season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, NFL Network reported Thursday. 

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel suggested that Brown’s status for their Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers was in question when he met with reporters earlier in the day. 

“I don’t know if he’ll be available going forward here for the next week, but we’ll see,” Vrabel said. “Once we get the report, we’ll figure out what the treatment plan is.”

Brown left Wednesday night’s game early in the third quarter following an incomplete pass from Drake Maye. He was falling to the turf as he tried to make the catch, and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee made contact with Brown’s ankle, pushing it against the ground.

Brown was initially announced as questionable to return before the Patriots ruled him out at the start of the fourth quarter. He had three catches for 26 yards before the injury, but he also drew a defensive pass interference penalty that set New England up at the 1-yard line for its only touchdown of the game. 

The injury is a blow for an offense that was counting on Brown to fill the void created after the team decided not to bring back Stefon Diggs following a productive 2025 season as the offense’s No. 1 receiver. New England surrendered a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire Brown in June. 

Brown, 29, was durable during his four seasons in Philadelphia, playing in all 17 regular-season games in 2022 and 2023, dropping to 13 during the Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl title season, and then 15 in 2025.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

 

 

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Polymarket is giving new users another reason to be hyped about Week 1 in the NFL and the first game played in Australia. New users can use promo code FOX to grab a $50 bonus before the game.

The Rams and 49ers are about to kick off the first-ever NFL game in Australia. There isn’t a better matchup between two division rivals, two teams with major offseason moves and a bunch of superstars coached by two of the best in the game.

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Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
Los Angeles Rams	65%	65¢	36¢
San Francisco 49ers	36%	36¢	65¢

LA Rams Win by Over 3.5 Points	52%	52¢	49¢
Over 48.5 Points Scored	47%	47¢	54¢
LA Rams Over 27.5 Points	45%	45¢	57¢
SF 49ers Over 23.5 Points	43%	43¢	56¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams

• When: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:35 p.m. ET
• Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/Streaming: Netflix

Players to Watch

For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco.

That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength.

On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener.

In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey’s role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series.

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If you invite a die-hard Michigan fan to a live show and give him the chance to build his all-time Wolverines football team, you better be ready for some debate.

Dave Portnoy, one of Michigan’s most passionate — and outspoken — fans, was given that opportunity Thursday during a special live edition of “The Joel Klatt Show” in Ann Arbor ahead of Saturday’s showdown between Michigan and Oklahoma (noon ET, FOX).

Klatt asked Portnoy to select an all-time Michigan team consisting of a quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and one defensive player. Portnoy selected a recent national champion at quarterback, a legendary running back, two of the program’s most dynamic receivers and perhaps the greatest player in school history on defense.

Here’s who made Portnoy’s all-time Michigan team:

QB: J.J. McCarthy, 2021-2023

Career stats: 482-of-713 passing (67.6%) for 6,226 passing yards, 49 passing TDs, and 11 INTs; 161 carries for 632 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs.

Portnoy’s thoughts: “To me, it’s a no-brainer. It’s not even close. If you’re saying you need a QB for the NFL, it’s [Tom] Brady, clearly. But [McCarthy’s] record was 27-1 as a starter. You gotta remember, before he came here, we couldn’t beat Ohio State. He turned the whole program around. Michigan was down, and when McCarthy came in, everything turned.

“I wanted Jim Harbaugh gone. … Every year we were getting drummed [by Ohio State]. There were some down years. But, McCarthy’s record, him winning the national championship. … I don’t know how anybody could say anybody but him.”

RB: Tim Biakabutuka, 1993-1995

Career stats: 434 carries, 2,624 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, 12 receptions, 121 receiving yards.

Portnoy’s Thoughts: “I’m going with Biakabutuka. He had 313 yards against Ohio State, which was the No. 2 team in the country at the time and undefeated. He made them look bad. I loved Biakabutuka. I had a crush on Biakabutuka.”

WRs: Desmond Howard ( 1988-91), Anthony Carter (1979-82)

Career stats: Howard: 134 receptions for 2,146 receiving yards (16.0 YPR) and 32 receiving TDs; 23 rushes for 249 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs; 45 kickoff returns for 1,211 yards and 2 TDs; 26 punt returns for 337 yards and 1 TD

Carter: 161 receptions for 3,076 receiving yards (19.1 YPR) and 37 receiving TDs; 36 rushes for 213 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD; 79 punt returns for 907 yards and 2 TDs; 63 kickoff returns for 1,606 yards (40 total touchdowns).

Portnoy’s thoughts: “I want Desmond [Howard] and Anthony Carter. I’m down with that.”

Defense: Charles Woodson, 1995-1997

Career stats: 21 receptions, 370 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 167 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 16 interceptions.

Portnoy’s thoughts: “You could argue Aidan Hutchinson. There’s that clip of him just taking the Ohio State lineman and just throwing him into the fourth row. But, yeah, it’s gotta be Woodson.”

Week 2 College Football Picks: Ohio St-Texas, Oklahoma-Michigan & more!

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There aren’t many better ways to get ready for a major college football tilt than a live show before the game. 

Ahead of Michigan hosting No. 11 Oklahoma this Saturday, FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt hosted a live showing of “The Joel Klatt Show” in Ann Arbor.

The third-ever live “Joel Klatt Show” sold out The Circ Bar and featured guest stars like a national title-winning head coach and Klatt’s “Big Noon Kickoff” colleagues.

Klatt hosted guests including former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft and “Big Noon Kickoff’s” Dave Portnoy. Klatt and co. discussed everything from the 24-team playoff to expectations for Michigan against Oklahoma and even put them in the spotlight with a lie-detector test. 

Here are the best moments from “The Joel Klatt Show” live in Ann Arbor:

Dave Portnoy Reveals His All-Time Michigan Team

It’s no secret that Portnoy is a passionate Michigan football fan, portraying his fandom constantly on-air and on social media.

On Klatt’s live show, Portnoy revealed his all-time Michigan team with his top-five Wolverine players of all time. To name a few, Portnoy included players from the Wolverines’ recent national title win in 2023, like quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and their 1997 national title team with Heisman winner Charles Woodson.  

Portnoy’s all-time Michigan team:

Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy

Wide receivers: Desmond Howard, Anthony Carter

Running back: Tim Biakabutuka

Defense: Charles Woodson

Portnoy Wanted WHO Gone?

Following his all-time Michigan team, Portnoy shared his thoughts on former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to a national title in 2024. 

Harbaugh finished his coaching tenure at Michigan with an 86-25 overall record, a 60-17 record in conference play and three consecutive Big Ten Championships from 2021-23. Harbaugh’s final year saw a Big Ten title, an undefeated 15-0 record and a national title win. 

Despite the success, Portnoy’s thoughts on Harbaugh did not change. 

“Once McCarthy came in, everything changed. Hand up, I wanted Harbaugh gone,” Portnoy said. “It was every year we were getting drummed. I bet there are a lot of silent Michigan fans out there that are like, ‘Yeah, maybe we thought it was time for a change.’ There were some down years.”

Bob Stoops Joins, Weighs In On 24-Team Playoff

Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops joined Klatt and Portnoy on stage and weighed in on current topics surrounding the college football landscape.

Stoops was head coach of the Sooners from 1999-2016 and compiled a 191-48 overall record, two Big 12 titles and a BCS National Championship in 2000.

In particular, Stoops shared his thoughts on the possible College Football Playoff expansion to 24 teams. 

“I’ve been a proponent of less playoff games, but these games are going to go away. So then that would be the reason to keep the 24 teams in the playoff,” Stoops said. “Because now you can come up to Michigan, things don’t go the right way, you can still recover from it.” 

Portnoy, Klatt Take Polygraph Test

If you’ve seen Zlatan’s infamous Polygraph test during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, get ready for Klatt and Portnoy to have their turn. 

Klatt went first, and was asked about everything from his Big Noon Kickoff colleagues and the success at his alma mater, Colorado. However, one answer regarding Saturday’s matchup stood out. 

When Portnoy asked Klatt about his stance on Michigan beating the No. 11 Sooners, his answer was simple and true. 

“Do you think Michigan can actually win [on] Saturday?” Portnoy asked. 

“Yes,” Klatt said confidently. 

When it was time for Portnoy to take the test, the focus was not so much on his Wolverines’ upcoming matchup. Portnoy was instantly asked by Taft how his last weekend went when Rutgers was upset by UMass in Week 1. 

College Football Related Stories

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Lumen Field (Seattle) — Don’t screw it up.

That’s the mindset of backup quarterback Drew Lock, taking over for Sam Darnold after the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback suffered a hip injury in the first quarter that forced him to miss the rest of Wednesday’s season-opening win over the New England Patriots.

Lock completed 72.7% of his passes for 187 yards and a touchdown without an interception on Wednesday, leading the Seahawks to a comeback 13-10 victory. With Darnold expected to miss Week 2, Lock said he’s ready to take on the starting mantle if Seattle’s QB1 is out for an extended period of time. In fact, he said he was ready for Wednesday’s moment as well, thanks to an unconventional method. 

“My biggest thing is always drawing every play that I possibly can on a whiteboard,” Lock said at the podium on Wednesday. “I’ve got one next to my bed. I’ll do it at night; I do it in the morning. That’s just always been my thing, being able to visualize, so whenever I read it out, it’s just there in my head.

“Because of the lack of reps, you don’t get to physically do it. So, I’ve got to be able to draw it from somewhere. And — no pun intended — but drawing it helps me draw it somewhere.”

That sort of thinking has helped Lock grow in his career as he’s become a dependable veteran. Known as a gunslinger in his early seasons with the Denver Broncos, the 29-year-old showed his progression on Wednesday by playing reliable, mistake-free football. 

“I’ve definitely grown,” Lock said at the podium on Wednesday. “I’ve learned a lot about football. But having an opportunity on a team like this can shift your mindset. Knowing the type of defense we have, there’s no rush to push the ball down the field. Let’s find ways to get the ball in our guys’ hands.

“Now when the ones downfield are there, I’ve never been one to be afraid to throw those. But it’s having the mindset of taking care of the football and getting it in our guys’ hands because you’ve got the best defense in the world, in my opinion.  Let’s keep the ball moving forward and see what the scoreboard looks like at the end of this.” 

Lock’s first half of action on Wednesday wasn’t great, with Seattle going scoreless in the first half. New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury had a rough debut early on, as the Seahawks finished 2 of 11 on third downs and had totaled seven pre-snap penalties. Seattle also finished with 10 accepted penalties for 98 yards.

However, Fleury and Lock did a nice job of making halftime adjustments, with the offense getting into more of a flow in the second half. 

“It was great to get into here at the end of the half, talk about our openers and put the plays on the board,” Lock said. “It’s also a little bit of just feeling the flow of the game, getting back into this and finding ways in the future of being into snap into this quicker. That’s just the life of a backup. But he did a fantastic job all night. We need to be better on some procedural things. Obviously, that’s apparent.” 

Macdonald said Darnold’s hip is intact and he suffered no fractures, but he has an injury to a muscle in the hip area. Macdonald did not provide a timetable for his return, stating the team will have a full picture when they return to the facility on Monday to begin practice for Week 2. But Darnold is expected to miss the game against Arizona. 

Sam Darnold will reportedly miss time after suffering a hip injury in Wednesday’s opener. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Lock is still young for a quarterback. He’s in the second year of a two-year, $5 million contract that makes him a free agent at the end of the year. And if he plays well during the handful of games he receives an NFL addition, perhaps he can earn the chance to start somewhere else next season, as Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Darnold have done before him.

In fact, Lock talked about it during Super Bowl week.

“I think every quarterback in the NFL would look you in the eyes and say they believe they can be a starter,” Lock said in February. “It’s just about the team you’re on, the opportunity you are given, and you have to be ready to pounce on it. You have to be ready to go out there and play.”

Seattle players believe Lock can get the job done.

“Drew played great,” Uchenna Nwosu told me. “When it matters most, that’s what he does. I’m happy for him.”

“We fully trust in Drew Lock to come in and do his thing,” said star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a big touchdown grab from Lock in the win. “He’s done it time and time again.” 

And so does Lock’s coach.

“He’s been tremendous,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “He operates like a starter does in terms of preparation, but I think the chemistry and personality of our quarterback room is one that is very supportive of each other and tries to bring out the best of one another. Drew provides a cool confidence, a loose but focused [approach] to the whole equation, which you need. 

“And on top of that, since he’s got here, I just feel like he’s played really great football in practice and in the preseason. We saw what he can do last night, and if he has to play again, we expect the same thing moving forward.” 

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Let’s slow the “super team” chatter around the Los Angeles Rams.

Just for now.

Australia was not good to the Rams, who looked tired and sloppy in their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners took total control of the game, largely by controlling the line of scrimmage. By the fourth quarter, the Rams never really knocked on contention — slipping deeper and deeper into defeat.

It’s important to remember that Week 1 lies. In other words, there’s a long, long season ahead. And this game — which took place roughly 8,000 miles from Los Angeles — won’t tell us everything we need to know about either team.

But there’s no denying it: the 49ers looked dominant. And the Rams looked … dominated.

Here are my takeaways:

1.

It was brutal to watch rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling get carted off with an injury in the first half. That’s another injury to another young receiver — after wide receiver Ricky Pearsall headed to IR before the season started. 

But Purdy didn’t look shorthanded. Not in the least.

Brock Purdy settled in and led an efficient 49ers offense against the Rams. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) –>

Tight end George Kittle was back in action despite a quick return from his Achilles injury last year. Receiver Mike Evans looked like the chain-mover, with a touchdown or a first down on all six of his catches. 

In other words, Evans was everything that they hoped he’d be when they signed him for $42.4 million and three years. 

Even Deebo Samuel looked young again — like his old 49ers self — with contributions in the passing game (48 receiving yards), running game (12 yards) and on special teams (74 yards).

Christian McCaffrey was, of course, outstanding. But it was rookie running back Kaelon Black who was the biggest surprise. He finished with 14 carries for 65 yards. And took the load off McCaffrey at this early phase in the season.

In short, the 49ers offense looked awesome. It looked deep. It looked peak Shanahan, with a swath of weapons that should help Purdy play at a really high level — even when facing what everyone had expected to be the NFL’s defense (in L.A.).

It looked built to last into January and maybe even February. 

2.

For all the discussion about which team planned their travel correctly, both quarterbacks looked sluggish in the first half. In fact, they both threw brutal interceptions — in the same fashion … on back-to-back drives. Twins! 

Purdy threw directly at a dropping safety, Quentin Lake, in an attempt for George Kittle, but Lake picked off the throw easily. And then a few plays later, Matthew Stafford floated a ball toward receiver Puka Nacua and Renardo Green backpedaled into position for a pick.

You can try all you want to avoid jet lag, but it always wins.

That said, Stafford looked worse than Purdy.

Stafford aired a few balls so high that they proved uncatchable. He forced a dangerous throw to Davante Adams near the end of the first half. And he looked completely stumped by the 49ers’ pressure, which they generated without having to send many blitzes. 

For the game, Stafford finished 15 of 25 for 155 yards and an interception.

Matthew Stafford did not look like the reigning MVP in Melbourne against the 49ers. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) –>

Even Rams head coach Sean McVay looked a little jet-lagged, calling a QB sneak on the goal line on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter. And very much unsurprisingly, Stafford, who is notoriously bad at sneaks, couldn’t convert.

On the whole, it felt like the reigning MVP was processing at a slower clip than normal.

3.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get Aaron Donald into the mix on this defensive line?

I thought there would be an embarrassment of riches. I thought the Rams defensive front would be unstoppable. I thought the hype was real.

But Myles Garrett finished this game with zero sacks and zero QB hits — even with Purdy dropping back 34 times. Garrett’s pressure total was solid, up to five, per Next Gen Stats. But there’s no way he made the impact that he would’ve hoped. And that’s a real credit to Williams, the 49ers left tackle who was an absolute beast in pass protection against the guy who finished No. 1 in the “NFL 100” rankings.

Near the end of the game, however, Netflix’s Tom Pelissero provided an interesting nugget. Garrett had been nursing a knee injury in training camp, which limited his practice reps and — perhaps — affected his conditioning in this game. To make matters worse, he was still dealing with a little pain from the injury. That’ll be something to keep an eye on.

3 1/2.   What’s Next?

There’s a downside to the 49ers getting to Australia as early as they did. Now, they’ve got to go home and readjust to Pacific Time. 

But there’s actually good news. The 49ers will take on the Miami Dolphins, a team that looks like a clear-cut favorite (at least to me) to finish with the No. 1 pick. And then their Week 3 opponent is, frankly, another pushover. The 49ers will take on the Cardinals. So they might lose some sleep as they get their clocks right. But they’re not going to lose any sleep over their game plans. 

I have no doubt that San Francisco will start this season 3-0. All should be well for when the 49ers host the Broncos in the first week of October in Week 4.

The Rams have a Monday night appointment with the Giants in Week 2. Hopefully, their emphasis on not acclimating to the Australian time change will help them feel ready for that matchup, because head coach John Harbaugh has New York feeling good about what the season has in store for the Giants’ young offensive core of quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo. 

After this dud, I can’t imagine the Rams will show up with a shortage of energy.

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Welcome to our Daily Fantasy Football picks.

Each week, we’ll break down the main Sunday DFS slate, highlighting our favorite picks, sleepers and best values at each position.

Unlike traditional season-long fantasy football, DFS gives you a fresh start every week. There are no drafts, trades or waiver-wire claims to worry about. Instead, you build a new lineup for that week’s slate of games while staying under a set salary cap.

On FanDuel, you’ll have $60,000 to fill out your lineup, with every player assigned a salary based on factors such as recent performance, matchup, and expected production. The goal is to build the best lineup possible by finding the right mix of stars and value plays while staying under the cap.

Paying up for one of the most expensive players on the board means having less money to spend elsewhere, while hitting a lower-priced player can open up plenty of possibilities across the rest of your lineup.

From the top players worth their high price tags to cheaper options who could outperform their salaries, here are our favorite DFS plays for Week 1’s Sunday slate.

All salaries and pricing are via the FanDuel Fantasy app and are based on its $60,000 salary-cap format.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Quarterback

Jared Goff is in a great spot to start the season. Goff is coming off his third consecutive season with at least 4,500 passing yards and leads the NFL with 13,768 passing yards over the past three seasons. The Lions quarterback has also thrown at least one touchdown pass in 23 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

According to Next Gen Stats, Goff threw 20 touchdown passes against single-high safety looks in 2025, the most in the NFL. That’s especially notable in this matchup, as the Saints utilized single-high safety at the second-highest rate in the league last season (62.9%). It’s a favorable matchup for Goff to take advantage of, and with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing taking over, Detroit’s offense should have plenty of opportunities to put points on the board.

A shootout could be brewing in Detroit, and at a price of just $7,800 on FanDuel, Goff offers great value as a DFS option this weekend.

One of the biggest hires of the offseason was the Los Angeles Chargers bringing in Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator. McDaniel is regarded as one of the league’s top offensive minds after his previous stops with the 49ers and Dolphins, where his offenses ranked among the NFL’s best in multiple categories. Now, McDaniel gets to work with arguably the most talented quarterback he’s had in Justin Herbert.

And what better way to start than at home against the Arizona Cardinals? Arizona had one of the NFL’s worst defenses in 2025, allowing 28.7 points per game (29th) and 369.8 total yards per game (26th). The Cardinals were also vulnerable through the air, ranking 24th in passing yards allowed per game and surrendering 31 passing touchdowns, sixth-most in the league.

While the Chargers enter as 9.5-point favorites, Arizona has enough offensive playmakers to keep this game competitive and force Los Angeles to stay aggressive. That should limit concerns about the Chargers taking their foot off the gas and leaning exclusively on the run late in the game. 

Kyler Murray should thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system, especially with playmakers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the outside. He has also been excellent in season openers throughout his career. In six career Week 1 starts, Murray has recorded 1,593 total yards (265.5 per game) and 14 total touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions.

Green Bay will be without defensive leader Micah Parsons, who will miss at least the first four games of the season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. According to Next Gen Stats, the Packers’ sack rate dropped from 7.3% with Parsons on the field to just 3.7% with him off the field in 2025. Green Bay ranked inside the top six in both scoring and total defense from Weeks 1-14, but fell into the bottom eight in both categories from Weeks 15-18.

The Packers also lost defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley this offseason. While Jonathan Gannon is a proven defensive coach in his own right, it could take time for Green Bay’s defense to adjust to a new system, especially without Parsons on the field. 

Running Back

Saquon Barkley had a down year by his standards in 2025, especially compared to his historic 2024 season. After racking up 2,283 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns in 2024, Barkley finished last season with 1,413 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns.

But 2026 could bring a bounce-back, and what better way to start than against the Washington Commanders? Washington’s run defense was abysmal last season, allowing 2,411 rushing yards (141.8 YPG, 30th in NFL), 4.78 yards per carry (27th) and 18 rushing touchdowns.

Barkley has also dominated this matchup since joining the Eagles. In four games against the Commanders since 2024 (three in the regular season and one in the playoffs), Barkley has rushed for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in all four.

Ashton Jeanty did not have the rookie season many expected, averaging just 3.67 yards per carry. However, much of those struggles can be attributed to the situation around him. Las Vegas was a disaster in 2025 and featured one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines. That should look much different in 2026.

The Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as head coach after he helped lead Seattle to a Super Bowl as its offensive coordinator, while offensive line coach Rick Dennison brings a long track record of overseeing successful rushing attacks. Las Vegas also made a major investment up front, signing Tyler Linderbaum to an $81 million contract to help transform its offensive line.

Across 68 career regular-season games as an offensive coordinator, Kubiak’s offenses have rushed for 7,722 yards (113.6 per game) and 57 touchdowns while averaging 4.11 yards per carry. His teams have topped 100 rushing yards in 38 of those 68 games (55.9%) and reached 150 yards 14 times. Kenneth Walker III also flourished in Kubiak’s system last season, particularly down the stretch and throughout Seattle’s Super Bowl run.

Jeanty couldn’t ask for a much better matchup to begin his second season. Miami ranked 26th in rushing defense in 2025, allowing 132.4 yards per game and 4.80 yards per carry, the fourth-worst mark in the NFL. The Dolphins also surrendered 18 rushing touchdowns. 

Wide Receiver

It was a rough 2025 season by Justin Jefferson’s standards, with much of his struggles stemming from instability at quarterback. Jefferson had three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball throughout the season and never seemed to find a consistent rhythm with any of them.

With Kyler Murray now under center, Jefferson should have a much more stable situation and could see a significant uptick in production. He has also historically been a nightmare for the Packers, especially in Week 1. In the 2022 season opener, the star receiver caught nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-7 Vikings win.

After a frustrating 2025 season, expect Kevin O’Connell to make it a priority to get his superstar receiver going early. 

Chris Olave is coming off a monster 2025 campaign, and his production took off once Tyler Shough became the Saints’ starting quarterback. In Shough’s eight starts, Olave caught 48 passes on 73 targets for 660 yards (82.5 YPG, 13.8 YPR) and six touchdowns. In eight games started by Spencer Rattler, Olave had 52 catches for 503 yards (62.9 YPG, 9.7 YPR) and three touchdowns.

Now, Olave gets a Week 1 matchup against an already depleted Detroit secondary. Starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) are both expected to miss the early portion of the season, leaving the Lions without two key pieces of a secondary that struggled in 2025.

Detroit allowed 2,644 receiving yards (155.5 YPG, eighth-most in the NFL) and 21 touchdowns (tied for second-most) to opposing wide receivers last season. With Shough under center and a favorable matchup against a short-handed Lions secondary, Olave is in a great spot to carry his late-season momentum into Week 1.

Tetairoa McMillan had an impressive rookie campaign, catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. But his ceiling is even higher, and he should have plenty of room to grow in Year 2.

McMillan opens the season against a Chicago Bears secondary that was vulnerable to big plays in 2025. The Bears allowed 61 completions of 20-plus yards (second-most in the NFL) and 26 completions of 30-plus yards (second-most). Chicago also surrendered 32 passing touchdowns (fifth-most) and 7.63 yards per pass attempt (fifth-highest).

McMillan should also see plenty of Tyrique Stevenson, who graded as one of the NFL’s worst cornerbacks last season, according to PFF. That’s a matchup Carolina should look to exploit throughout the game.

And if the Panthers find themselves playing from behind against Chicago’s explosive offense, McMillan could see even more opportunities in the passing game. Everything lines up for Carolina’s No. 1 receiver to have a big Week 1.

Tight End

The tight end pool is very thin this week and, yes, Trey McBride comes with a hefty price tag, but he’s worth paying up for. 

As mentioned earlier, this game is projected to be high-scoring, and with the Chargers favored by 9.5 points, the Cardinals could be playing from behind for most of the afternoon. That should lead to a pass-heavy game script for Arizona.

McBride thrived in those situations last season. When the Cardinals were trailing in 2025, he recorded 75 receptions on 99 targets for 753 yards and eight touchdowns. More than 60% of his receptions and nearly three-quarters of his touchdowns came while Arizona was playing from behind. 

The Chargers also ranked 27th in DVOA against tight ends last season, making this an even more favorable matchup. The price is high, but McBride is worth spending up for in Week 1.

Defense

Cincinnati Bengals $3,600

We’re big believers in punting at defense and looking for value at a cheap price.

On the surface, this pick feels tough. The Bengals have had one of the NFL’s worst defenses over the past few seasons, and 2025 was no different. Cincinnati ranked 30th in scoring defense (28.9 PPG), 31st in total defense (380.9 YPG), last in rushing defense (147.1 YPG) and last in yards allowed per play (6.18).

But this is a new year and a completely revamped Bengals defense. 

Cincinnati traded for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, signed pass rushers Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, and added Bryan Cook, Kyle Dugger and Ja’Sir Taylor to the secondary. The Bengals also used draft capital on pass rusher Cashius Howell and cornerback Tacario Davis.

At this price, we’re willing to take a chance on the upgraded unit against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay had some turnover issues down the stretch last season, committing 11 giveaways in nine games following its Week 9 bye.

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In the NFL, good vibes are fleeting.

Just 19 months ago, the Eagles and Commanders were headed into the offseason feeling like they had world-beaters at quarterback. Philadelphia had just conquered the football world, blowing out the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX with Jalen Hurts taking home MVP honors. 

Washington, meanwhile, was fresh off its first NFC Championship Game appearance in over 30 years with rookie phenom Jayden Daniels leading the way. Life was good, and that conference championship game felt like the first installment of the NFL’s next great quarterback rivalry.

The 2026 season opener will be the first time Hurts and Daniels have faced off since that playoff game and there’s been a significant vibe shift on both sides of the matchup. Both quarterbacks are coming off frustrating 2025 seasons that may have cast some doubt on their long-term future with their respective teams.

Hurts and Daniels will be seeking massive contract extensions in the offseason. At that point, Hurts will have one year left on the extension he signed in 2023, and Daniels will be entering his third offseason, when first-round quarterbacks either sign their first big-money extension or end up in contract purgatory, a la Bryce Young in Carolina. 

So, the stakes are clear for both quarterbacks in 2026: A bounce-back season will be rewarded with a big payday. But if last year’s struggles bleed over into this season, contract talks might be put on hold.

The bar for a successful season is lower for Daniels than it is for Hurts, with Washington expected to finish in the bottom half of the NFC East. 

If the third-year pro can just stay healthy for the full 17-game slate, that will be considered a win. If Daniels stays healthy and rediscovers his 2024 form, Washington will write him a blank check in the spring. It’s just hard to envision a repeat of that magical rookie season given the current state of the Commanders offense.

Jayden Daniels faces a crucial upcoming season amidst uncertainties around the Commanders roster. (G Fiume/Getty Images) –>

The offensive line was an issue last season and will be worse off in 2026 with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil out indefinitely with a torn triceps. Also, it will be up to first-year offensive coordinator David Blough, who’s just three seasons into his coaching career, to work around that massive weakness.

It would be understandable if Daniels doesn’t fully bounce back, but Washington may be reluctant to fork over a top-of-the-market deal for a player coming off two disappointing seasons, especially if more injuries pop up. The Commanders wouldn’t have to move off Daniels, but they’d likely push contract talks into the following offseason, which is typically a bad sign for a first-round quarterback.

Daniels had issues targeting the middle of the field in 2025, but it was less about his reluctance to make those throws and more about his inability to complete them. Per Pro Football Focus, his accuracy rate on intermediate throws dropped by nearly 10% compared to his rookie season. There were a lot of poorly placed passes on his 2025 film.

But the statistical dip can’t be pinned entirely on Daniels, who was throwing into tighter windows last season. With wide receiver Terry McLaurin out hurt, the Commanders were trotting some abysmal receiving groups out there. It got to a point where tight end Zach Ertz became Daniels’ best option against man coverage. Ertz is still a useful player, but when a 35-year-old is your most reliable option on key passing downs, it’s awfully hard to play quarterback.

Daniels’s regression from Year 1 to Year 2 can mostly be explained by his performance against man coverage and the blitz, which are closely linked. Washington didn’t have receivers who could punish a defense for playing aggressively, and Daniels loses accuracy when he’s forced to drive a throw into tight coverage. He’s one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks when throwing with touch in between the lines of a zone defense. He just didn’t get to do it often last season.

Washington’s offense should be more equipped to deal with aggressive coverage in 2026. Stefon Diggs, who joined via free agency, was one of the NFL’s most productive receivers against tight man-to-man coverage last season. McClaurin is healthy again. And the team prioritized explosive athletes to fill out the rest of the receiving corps, including third-round rookie Antonio Williams and former first-round pick Treylon Burks. 

Even with the upgrades, this isn’t a world-beating receiving corps, so Daniels will have to take a step as an intermediate passer to make it work.

Last week, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman defended Hurts and denied that the clock is ticking on his time in Philadelphia despite the team’s passing game struggles over the past few seasons. “I think the bottom line for us … is winning football games,” Roseman said on a recent appearance on the “Move the Sticks” podcast. “And all [Hurts] does is win football games … for me, the barometer is winning football games.”

I don’t expect Roseman to get into the nuances of quarterback evaluation during a podcast hit, but that’s a reductive view of Hurts that also suggests his value to the team is directly tied to its winning percentage. If the Eagles have a down year, and the passing game doesn’t improve, will the front office view of Hurts shift? If that’s the case, then it does feel like there’s a lot riding on this season in regard to his future with the team.

Last season ended for Jalen Hurts with a wild-card loss at home to the 49ers. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) –>

Supporting talent is less of a concern for Hurts – who is still surrounded by blue-chip players even after the team traded away his top receiver, A.J. Brown – but he’ll also be getting his play calls from an inexperienced offensive coordinator with Sean Mannion coming over from Green Bay.

While Hurts is no stranger to OC changes, this is the first time in his NFL career where he’ll have to learn an entirely new offense from the ground up. Mannion is Nick Sirianni’s fifth offensive coordinator in Philly, but it’s the first time he’s gone outside of his coaching tree to make a hire. 

This won’t be some subtle rebrand. The Eagles offense will be an entirely new thing. Hurts won’t be playing in the shotgun nearly as much and there will be fewer spread formations. It will look more like the 49ers and Rams offenses, with the quarterback under center, condensed formations, and a lot of play-action passing.

That’s the hope, at least.

In April, ESPN dropped a report on the team’s growing frustration with Hurts’ reluctance to step outside of his comfort zone, which created a lot of the issues that have plagued Philly’s passing game over the past three seasons.

Here’s a key excerpt from the report: “He has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage.”

Jalen Hurts faces a potentially big adjustment to new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense this season. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) –>

The report also covered Hurts butting heads with former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore over the use of pre-snap motion. Moore, who’s been calling plays for NFL offenses since 2019, is a big proponent of the tactic but dialed back his usage in 2024 to suit Hurts’ preferences.

ESPN also quoted sources close to Hurts who denied those claims, but this season will give us a clear answer. Mannion’s offense is built around all the tactics that are supposedly outside of the quarterback’s comfort zone. This system doesn’t work without pre-snap motion. It doesn’t work without going under center. And it doesn’t work when the quarterback is reluctant to “let it rip” over the middle of the field against zone coverage.

Hurts’ reluctance to throw over the middle of the field isn’t just theoretical at this point. Per Next Gen Stats, Hurts targeted the middle third of the field at the league’s lowest rate in 2025. It was the fifth year in a row he’s accomplished that feat. He’s had four different offensive coordinators over that span, so there’s a clear common denominator.

My theory: Hurts doesn’t have top-end arm strength but makes up for it with a keen understanding of his own limitations. Hurts avoids the middle of the field for the same reason Jared Goff doesn’t throw on the run: it’s not his game. Making throws into tight zone windows with repeated success isn’t in his wheelhouse and not a winning strategy for him. It can hold back the offense at times, but it limits turnovers. Here’s an example from the Eagles’ loss to the Broncos last season.

You can see Hurts consider making the stick throw to wide receiver DeVonta Smith between two zone defenders before thinking better of it and settling for an out-of-structure heave downfield.

But when the windows are clearer – or the Eagles are in catch-up mode late and turnovers are less of a concern – Hurts will take his shots over the middle.

If this scheme change is going to work, one of two things needs to happen: Either Mannion is the second-coming of Shanahan and consistently provides Hurts with clear throwing windows over the middle, or Hurts takes more chances, even if it leads to a small bump to his interception totals.

Sunday’s opener will be our first glimpse at the new offenses in Washington and Philadelphia. While it’s important to give these first-year coordinators some grace and give their quarterbacks time to get acclimated to their new digs, the game will provide a perfect stress test for Daniels and Hurts thanks to the defensive matchups on both sides. 

How will Daniels fare against an Eagles secondary that closes throwing windows as well as any defense in the league? Will Hurts look comfortable going under center and turning his back to the defense on play-action defense against a Washington scheme built around pre-snap disguises and post-snap chaos?

The answer to those questions will have ramifications that stretch far beyond the final score on Sunday. They’ll determine how far the Eagles and Commanders can go in 2026 and how much confidence they should have in their franchise quarterbacks beyond this season. 

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Well, that was a shocker. 

The much-hyped Rams were taken to the woodshed in Week 1, falling to the 49ers 27-7 in Australia.

Seattle and San Francisco are 1-0, while L.A. is 0-1 in the treacherous NFC West.

Oddsmakers and sharp bettors serve up their insights on a few other intriguing games, as we dive into NFL Week 1 betting nuggets.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

   NFL Rocks on Fox

In America’s Game of the Week, FOX kicks it off with a big NFC East rivalry: Commanders vs. Eagles at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.

At DraftKings Sports, the Eagles opened as 5.5-point favorites and made a couple trips down to -4.5. But on Wednesday, the Eagles were back at -5.5.

Washington hopes a healthy Jayden Daniels can help keep up with Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. Last season, Daniels missed 10 games due to various injuries.

But bettors are leaning into the home favorite at DraftKings, with 64% of spread tickets and 76% of spread money backing the Eagles. And no question, Philadelphia will be a hugely popular play in moneyline parlays.

Another notable FOX matchup: Buccaneers vs. Bengals at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

A severe turf toe injury kept Bengals QB Joe Burrow out of the lineup much of last year, from Weeks 3 to 12. But Burrow is healthy for a showdown against Baker Mayfield & Co.

Caesars has Cincinnati as a 3.5-point home favorite, which is where this number stuck pretty much all summer. While the public hasn’t weighed in much yet for this 1 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX, Feazel is pretty certain of where things are heading.

“There’s a lot of hype around Joe Burrow. I anticipate seeing more Bengals action,” he said.

   Sunday Night Fight

It’s another NFC East showdown on the NFL Week 1 oddsboard: Cowboys vs. Giants at 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.

Back in mid-May, the Cowboys opened as 1.5-point favorites, but quickly advanced to -2.5. Over the past week at Caesars, Dallas advanced to -3 a couple times, and that’s where the Cowboys sat on Wednesday afternoon.

With a popular Dallas squad in the Sunday night spotlight, this game could be a huge decision for Caesars and every other book. Especially if other popular favorites have a good Sunday, leading to moneyline parlay liability crashing into the Cowboys by Sunday night.

“The public action is gonna be one-sided,” Feazel said. “The Giants brought in John Harbaugh as coach, which will bring in some bettors. But it’s gonna be lopsided action on the Cowboys, one-way traffic.”

Mahomes on Monday

Patrick Mahomes tore up his knee in Week 15 last season, but he’s set to start for the Chiefs vs. the Broncos at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday. Likewise, Denver QB Bo Nix is back and healthy, after suffering a broken ankle in an AFC divisional-round win over Buffalo.

The Broncos — minus Nix — then lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

Caesars opened the Chiefs as 2.5-point home favorites, and K.C. advanced to -3 a couple times. But midweek, it’s Chiefs -2.5 (-117), and early action is perhaps a bit surprising.

“We’re actually seeing more Broncos money come in. A couple of years ago, that would’ve been unheard of,” Feazel said. “But the Chiefs’ defense has arguably gotten worse, and there are questions on offense, as well.

“So far, the public is not buying this Chiefs team.”

But a lot could change between now and Monday night. Keep in mind that on all these NFL games, the overwhelming majority of action comes in on game day, and even more so in the last hour or two.

And if favorites have a big Sunday, there’ll be no shortage of moneyline parlays live to the Chiefs on Monday night.

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