10 Fantasy Football Takeaways from Week 1: Josh Allen and Caleb Williams go scorched earth

1) In Chicago, the Bears managed to score 57 points despite their notable pass-catchers not catching any passes. The route data reveals that route rate, target share, and air yards share were crucial factors in their offensive success.

2) The Los Angeles Chargers experienced a major collapse during Week 1. The team was among the top five offenses by EPA per play in 2025 when their star player, Ladd McConkey, was on the field. However, McConkey's rib injury at the end of the third quarter significantly impacted the Chargers' performance, leading to their downfall.

3) Running back Kenneth Walker III had a breakout week, generating 173 rushing yards and becoming the most productive rushing back for the Kansas City Chiefs since Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020. Walker's efficiency was evident as he outperformed his rushing expectations, forcing 14 missed tackles in the process.

4) For Patrick Mahomes' running backs, the expected points projection fell short of their usual performance. Kenneth Walker III led the pack with 173 rushing yards, surpassing his average. However, Patrick Mahomes' regular running back, Caleb Williams, also had a strong performance, generating 101 rushing yards and 14 missed tackles.

5) The Atlanta Falcons faced a challenging start to the season with key players Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa injured. Quarterback Cooper Rush was forced to start, and he underperformed as he finished last in EPA per dropback and second-to-last in CPOE. Meanwhile, receivers Drake London and Kyle Pitts also underwhelmed, ranking poorly in terms of expected points.

6) Jaxson Dart, a rookie quarterback, made significant progress in Week 1. While his early career as a passer was not impressive, Dart showcased his scrambling ability and efficiency with a career-best completion rate and adjusted yards per attempt. Despite facing a weaker defense, his performance was notable, especially considering Malik Nabers' limited availability. By Week 1, Nabers had established himself as a significant contributor to the Giants' offense.

7) The New Orleans Saints demonstrated their offensive prowess in Week 1, ranking seventh in neutral situation pass rate and becoming the fastest team in the league with an average play every 22 seconds. Their frantic comeback effort contributed to a superior PROE and led the way in total expected points.