-
Josh Allen QB | BUF
Bills' Josh Allen: Two late TDs overshadow four TOs
Allen completed 24 of 37 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Jets. He also rushed 10 times for 38 yards and a touchdown while fumbling twice and losing both.
Allen turned it over four times in the first half. He fumbled on the opening drive and threw a pick-six on the second, then lost another fumble when he failed to handle a 4th-and-1 snap in the second quarter before throwing another interception on the following possession. The Bills went into the break trailing only 6-0 despite all of Allen's miscues, setting the stage for a fourth-quarter comeback that featured a three-yard Allen rushing score and a 38-passing touchdown to John Brown. Most of Allen's fantasy appeal lies in his legs, but the second-year quarterback struggles with turnovers. Opponents should continue to limit his rushing output by spying him until his passing improves.
-
Case Keenum QB | CHI
Redskins' Case Keenum: Throws three TD passes
Keenum completed 30 of 45 pass attempts for 380 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions during Sunday's 32-27 loss to the Eagles.
Keenum was outstanding against a strong Eagles defense and especially so early on, with touchdown passes of 48 and 69 yards in the first half. He didn't maintain that same level in the second half but still managed to finish with one of the finest stat lines of his NFL career. Keenum was expected to start the season as the No. 1 option before giving way to Dwayne Haskins, but more performances like this could allow the team to bring the rookie along slowly. He'll face another tough matchup next Sunday at home against the Cowboys.
-
Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Jets' Sam Darnold: Quiet outside one strong drive
Darnold completed 28 of 41 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown while rushing once for no gain in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bills. He also threw a two-point conversion pass and fumbled once, although it was recovered by the Jets.
Darnold was quiet outside of a scoring drive in the third quarter. On that drive, he had a touchdown pass to Ryan Griffin called back, but he rebounded with a nine-yard score to Le'Veon Bell and then hit the running back again for a two-point conversion after extending the play with his legs. The second-year quarterback also showed excellent chemistry with offseason addition Jamison Crowder -- the pair linked up 14 times for 99 yards -- but he couldn't get much going with any other receivers as the Jets blew a 16-0 lead. He'll hope for a better performance in Week 2 against the Browns.
-
Baker Mayfield QB | TB
Browns' Baker Mayfield: Dealing with bruised wrist
Though Mayfield left the stadium Sunday with his right wrist wrapped, his injury is just a bruise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Mayfield's issue is not considered serious, but there's a chance it could affect his practice participation as the Browns prepare for their Week 2 contest against the Jets next Monday.
-
Marcus Mariota QB | WAS
Titans' Marcus Mariota: Tosses three TDs in blowout win
Mariota completed 14 of 24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns while adding 24 yards on three rushing attempts in Sunday's 43-13 win over Cleveland.
Mariota looked jittery in the pocket throughout the first half, as the offensive line failed to provide much protection against Cleveland's pass rush without left tackle Taylor Lewan (suspension). He got more comfortable with his team playing from ahead in the second half, finding Derrick Henry out of the backfield for a 75-yard score on which Henry did most of the work before hitting reliable tight end Delanie Walker for touchdowns of 11 and seven yards. Despite this strong performance, Mariota remains a middling fantasy option at best as the caretaker in a run-heavy offense heading into a Week 2 matchup with the Colts.
-
Kirk Cousins QB | LV
Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Limited volume in opener
Cousins completed eight of 10 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against Atlanta. He also added six rushes for four yards and a touchdown.
Cousins played well when given the opportunity in the team's season-opening victory, though he was largely limited to handing the ball off. The Vikings jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, and they ultimately generated a 38/10 run/pass split. On the brighter side, he capped off the opening drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen and salvaged his fantasy performance with a rushing score late in the second quarter. The Vikings likely won't be able to go as run-heavy in their offensive scheme in Week 2 at Green Bay, meaning Cousins should have the opportunity for more production.
-
Baker Mayfield QB | TB
Browns' Baker Mayfield: Falls apart in fourth quarter
Mayfield completed 25 of 38 passes for 285 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in Sunday's 43-13 loss to the Titans.
Despite piling up 154 yards before the break, Mayfield failed to lead the team to any further first-half points after a Dontrell Hilliard rushing touchdown on the opening drive. He tossed a three-yard touchdown to David Njoku late in the third quarter but fell apart in the fourth with three interceptions, including a pick-six. While he has plenty of weapons to work with, Mayfield will need to be much better himself moving forward if Cleveland wants to avoid turning into the "same old Browns". The second-year quarterback was also spotted with a wrap on his hand after the game, so that will be a situation to monitor ahead of Cleveland's Week 2 meeting with the Jets on Monday Night Football.
-
Patrick Mahomes QB | KC
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: Picks up ankle sprain
Coach Andy Reid said Mahomes sustained a sprained ankle during Sunday's 40-26 win at Jacksonville, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports reports.
Mahomes had his left ankle turn awkwardly under the weight of a Jags defender in the first half, limping to the sideline and getting it taped in the sideline tent. He didn't miss a snap and proceeded to put up a prototypical 378 yards and three touchdowns on 25-for-33 passing. Because he was able to play through the pain, Mahomes seems to be fine moving forward, but his status nonetheless will be one to watch in the coming days.
-
Patrick Mahomes QB | KC
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: Roasts Jags on bum ankle
Mahomes (ankle) completed 25 of 33 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's 40-26 win over the Jaguars. He had his left foot and ankle taped after apparently rolling it during the contest Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports. Mahomes returned to the game, but gave way to backup Matt Moore with the game in hand late.
Mahomes and the Chiefs continued their frantic 2018 pace to start the 2019 season despite what was supposed to be a difficult matchup at Jacksonville. Kansas City's one and only punt didn't transpire until the fourth quarter, as Mahomes slung it around, hitting on a few big catch-and-runs to Sammy Watkins early. The talented junior passer was helped off the field in the second quarter with a left lower leg injury, but he was healthy enough to return to the game and throw another touchdown to Watkins. Even by his own standards, Mahomes could not have asked for a much better statistical start to the season, but how his ankle progresses in the coming days will be worth monitoring.
-
Gardner Minshew QB | ARI
Jaguars' Gardner Minshew: Fills in admirably for Foles
Minshew stepped in for the injured Nick Foles (broken clavicle) during Sunday's 40-26 loss to the Chiefs, completing 22 of 25 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Foles left the contest after tossing a first-quarter TD, the victim of a hit from Kansas City's pass rush. He went to the locker room and was ruled out shortly thereafter, but the diagnosis wasn't known until post-game. Foles suffered the injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but such an injury typically requires a lengthy absence. With that knowledge, Minshew is expected to lead the Jaguars offense for the foreseeable future.