Bills Elevate Matt Prater Ahead of Week 1

The Buffalo Bills elevated veteran kicker Matt Prater from the practice squad, and he's expected to handle kicking duties in Week 1 with Tyler Bass on injured reserve. Entering his 19th NFL season, Prater brings plenty of experience, including spending the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. This is a strong fantasy spot for […]

Christian Yelich Remains Out on Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter/outfielder Christian Yelich (back) is not ready to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jake Bauers will DH in Yelich's absence and hit fifth in a meeting with right-hander Mitch Keller. Yelich, who's dealing with soreness in his lower back, hasn't played since Monday and will miss his […]

Cairo Santos Not Startable in Week 1

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos will open his 12th NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Santos has been a steady presence in Chicago, connecting on over 90% of his field goals in three of the last five seasons. This year brings optimism for the Bears' offense with head coach Ben Johnson […]

Russell Gage Jr. Elevated, Expecting to Play First Game Since 2022

The San Francisco 49ers have elevated veteran wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from the practice squad, meaning he will see his first game action since 2022. Gage missed the past two seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon, but was previously a reliable WR3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady. The 49ers' […]

Brian Robinson Jr. - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Picks for Week 1 (2025)

BALLER MOVE: Start in all leagues (if Christian McCaffrey is ruled out) POSITIONAL VALUE: RB2 (if Christian McCaffrey is ruled out) ANALYSIS: The San Francisco 49ers acquired former Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. earlier in August, and he could be poised to take on a heavy workload in his team debut. On Thursday, […]

Bobby Witt Jr. Not in Saturday's Lineup

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) is sitting out on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. Maikel Garcia will fill in at short and hit second versus Twins ace Joe Ryan, while Nick Loftin will play third base and bat seventh. Witt left the Royals' 2-1 win on Friday with lower-back spasms and will […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Batting Sixth on Saturday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is in the lineup and batting sixth on Saturday against Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller. It's the first time Acuna has hit sixth since his rookie season in 2018. The former NL MVP has spent most of this season either leading off or batting third, but the Braves are […]

D'Andre Swift Set for Workhorse Role Against Vikings

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift enters his sixth NFL season, and his second in Chicago. Swift is looking to build on a solid 2024 campaign, where he averaged 11.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finished as the RB19. The Bears brought in former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who previously worked with Swift […]

Roschon Johnson Not Startable with Foot Injury

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (foot) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson has not practiced fully since August 5 and only returned in a limited capacity on Saturday, casting doubt on his Week 1 readiness. Even if active, Johnson projects to handle a secondary role, behind starter […]

Caleb Williams Faces Tough Vikings Defense

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams kicks off his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie, the 2024 first-overall pick averaged 15.3 fantasy points per game, finishing as the QB16 on the year. Now, he enters Week 1 with a fresh start under new head coach Ben Johnson, the […]

Ryan Jeffers Out on Saturday

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (head) is out of the lineup on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Mickey Gasper will fill in behind the plate and hit seventh versus right-hander Stephen Kolek. Jeffers will take a seat for the second straight game after leaving early in an 11-8 loss to the Chicago White Sox […]

Will Campbell Expects to Play Against Raiders

New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell (ankle) is on track to play Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Jordan Schultz. Campbell was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury, but despite being listed as questionable, the fourth overall pick is expected to make his NFL debut in […]

RapSheet: Signs Pointing Towards Christian McCaffrey Playing in Week 1

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport. After sitting out Friday's practice with a calf injury, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his media availability on Friday. Rapoport reported that barring any setbacks, McCaffrey is likely to suit up. The five-time Pro Bowl […]

J.J. McCarthy A Superflex Option In NFL Debut

It has been a long wait, but quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted […]

Micah Parsons Expected to Play Against Lions on Limited Snap Count

Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons (back) is expected to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, but his snaps will be limited. The three-time All-Pro has been managing a back injury that restricted his practice reps during his first week with Green Bay. Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys just a week before […]

Aaron Jones Sr. In Flex Zone For Week 1

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. should be viewed as a flex/RB2 candidate as his team takes on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. A polarizing mid-round draft pick, the veteran back is one of the bigger wild cards in fantasy this season. Jones is a strong receiver who caught 50 passes in addition […]

Flex Potential For Jordan Mason In Vikings Debut

Running back Jordan Mason will make his Minnesota Vikings debut on Monday against the Chicago Bears, against whom he should be viewed as a viable flex option. The Vikings have been dreadful in short yardage in recent seasons, but completely revamped their interior line and traded for the 26-year-old running back, who rushed for a […]

Justin Jefferson A Clear WR1 In Opening Week

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a must-start option, as usual, when the Vikings open the season against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The sixth-year receiver dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp, but was not listed on Minnesota's final injury report and should continue to be the team's runaway top option […]

Adam Thielen A Wild Card In 2025 Debut

Wide receiver Adam Thielen is a risky fantasy proposition in his return to the Minnesota Vikings, who will take on the Chicago Bears in this season's first Monday Night Football game. The Vikings traded for the veteran due to instability elsewhere in their receiver room, as Jordan Addison (suspension) will miss the first three games […]

Jalen Nailor Avoidable In Vikings' Season Opener

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor should be left out of lineups when the club plays against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Coming off a hand injury, the fourth-year pro has been given the all-clear to play, but the bigger issue from a fantasy perspective is his role within the offense. It looked for […]

Big Opportunity For T.J. Hockenson In Week 1

With the Minnesota Vikings going through changes at wide receiver, tight end T.J. Hockenson is a starting-caliber option as his team prepares to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The veteran tight end figures to be a key part of Minnesota's passing game with wide receiver Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the […]

D.J. Moore a Great Option Against Vikings

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore opens his eighth NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Moore is coming off a down 2024 campaign, averaging 11.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game, ranking 32nd on the year. His efficiency dipped notably, with his yards per target falling from 10.0 to 6.9 and touchdowns […]

Decent Opening Matchup for Will Reichard

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard should be viewed as a low-end starting option during his team's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The second-year kicker had an excellent start to his first season -- he made every kick in his first seven games -- but saw his year go sideways with a quadriceps injury […]

Rome Odunze Has Great Matchup Against Vikings

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze begins his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. The 2024 ninth-overall pick had a quiet rookie year, averaging 6.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finishing as the WR49, while playing behind two veteran receivers. Now in 2025, Odunze has a prime opportunity to step […]

Tai Felton On Back Burner As Vikings Face Bears

Rookie wide receiver Tai Felton of the Minnesota Vikings appears to have only a minor role as his team takes on the Chicago Bears on Monday, keeping him off the fantasy radar. The rookie from Maryland looked to have a pathway to playing time with Jordan Addison suspended, Rondale Moore (knee) out for the season, […]

Vikings D/ST a Starting-Caliber Unit in Season Opener

The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams is facing an above-average season-opening matchup against the new-look offense of the Chicago Bears in Week 1. As Detroit's offensive coordinator, new Bears coach Ben Johnson helped the Lions beat the Vikings five times in a row, scoring 30-plus points each time, but this matchup is a different beast in […]

Christian Darrisaw Questionable Against Bears

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL in Week 8 of the 2024 season and has spent the offseason recovering from the major injury. He practiced at full capacity on Friday and continued drills on Saturday, though […]

Khalil Shakir - Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 1 (2025)

BALLER MOVE: Start in all leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: High-end WR3/flex ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir enjoyed a career year in 2024, serving as the team's primary wideout. With Stefon Diggs leaving Buffalo, Shakr was able to become Josh Allen's go-to option in the passing attack. Shakir caught 76 passes for 821 yards and […]

Harrison Smith Doubtful Against Bears

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (illness) is doubtful for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. The six-time Pro Bowler has missed most of Vikings training camp but participated in his first limited practice on Friday. Head coach Kevin O'Connell noted, "It's more of a physical ramp up as we move forward." With Smith unlikely […]

Joshua Karty a Fringe Fantasy Option for Season Opener

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty is a fringe top-12 fantasy option heading into Sunday's season opener against the Houston Texans. With a strong offense in place, Los Angeles should be able to move the football quite well, even against an above-average Texans defense. This should lead to several field goal and extra point opportunities […]