The Chiefs’ Week 1 tilt in Brazil hinges on Rashee Rice’s status. Rice’s NFL disciplinary hearing isn’t expected before Sept. 30, meaning a suspension likely wouldn’t land before the opener against the Chargers. If Rice is active, Kansas City will lean on him as the top target alongside Mahomes, creating a high-upside start even before any potential ban takes effect.

Rice’s place in the offense would get tricky if a suspension hits mid-season, but the early timeline allows the Chiefs to map four crucial games (vs Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Ravens) with Rice in mind. He flashed 79-938-7 as a rookie and showed promise again in 2024 before a season-ending injury; the combination of Mahomes and Reid gives Rice a path to big weeks if he avoids an early ban. Fantasy managers should monitor the hearing, plan around a potential Week 1 surge, and be ready to pivot if discipline alters his role later.

The Kingdom debuts tonight on ESPN, Disney+ and Skydance Sports, a six‑episode NFL documentary that charts the Kansas City Chiefs’ long-running influence and its 2024 season. It blends six decades of team history with a look at present‑day KC, promising exclusive behind‑the‑scenes glimpses while framing the franchise as a constant in the NFL’s evolving landscape.

Patrick Mahomes lauds the project, saying parts surprised him and that seeing how the Chiefs history is told is cool, even as camp continues. He thanks the Hunt family and Disney for allowing him to participate, framing it as a life‑long interest in documentaries and a chance to reflect after a season of filming.

Andy Reid adds that the owner’s nudge to participate wouldn’t become a distraction; he praises the filmmakers for handling it well and keeping the focus on football, not spectacle. The first six episodes will stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, with the opener’s two installments airing tonight on ESPN at 8 and 9 p.m. CT.

For fantasy readers, The Kingdom provides context on Chiefs’ culture and offensive identity, offering a richer backdrop for evaluating KC’s players in 2024 even if it doesn’t alter on‑field production or immediate lineup decisions.

Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason set the table for fantasy managers entering a loaded slate of questions. The Sporting News’ preseason power rankings crowned the Philadelphia Eagles No. 1 as the core remains intact, even as coaching and roster tweaks ripple across the league. The relevance for fantasy comes from how teams test their depth charts, evaluate new weapons, and manage health in a setting where stars shouldn’t be risked in full games. Across the board, durability, target volume, and offensive-line stability are the names of the game as exhibition action begins to shape Week 1 projections.

Elite quarterbacks remain the anchors, but the real-life intrigue centers on how surrounding pieces shape up. Puka Nacua’s emergence with the Rams pairs with Matthew Stafford’s health to create a high-floor pairing, while Brock Purdy’s health and Brandon Aiyuk’s status could swing SF’s ceiling. Terry McLaurin’s situation in Washington adds a cautionary but potentially rewarding path, and edge-rushers and defenses entering win-now modes will influence offensive efficiency. In short: preseason action is validating some pairs, pressuring others, and sharpening fantasy plans for the opening weeks.

Week 2 will spotlight young quarterbacks and second-tier receivers ready to seize roles—Bo Nix in Denver, Caleb Williams in Chicago, and Jordan Travis as a Jets option among others—while watching for how quickly teams implement their new ideas. Expect sharper gameplans, clearer roles, and early-season targets that hunter-grow the fantasy landscape as scouting reports turn real action into actionable lineup strategy.

Madden 26 lands with a rostered bang, updated rosters and rookies, new gameplay touches, and fresh game modes that players will test against in Franchise, Superstar, Online Head-to-Head, and Ultimate Team. Ravens, Eagles, and Chiefs sit at the top of team ratings, signaling fantasy relevance from Week 1 as those power trios push high-scoring offenses. Updated rookies entering the NFL year add swing fantasy value as speed and burst metrics are reflected in the in-game rosters.

For fantasy owners, the big names ring true in Madden 26: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes sit among the elite at QB with 99 OVRs, signaling peak ceiling. At RB, Barkley, Henry, Gibbs, McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and Taylor headline RB upside; at WR, Chase and Jefferson cap the top, with St. Brown, Lamb, Hill, and McLaurin following closely. Tight ends Kittle and Kelce loom as elite, and elite pass rushers and cover corners anchor defensive value for daily formats. Expect the Madden meta to lean into explosive plays and versatility as rosters shift in real leagues.

Rookies making big in-game impacts (Bijan, Gibbs) hint at early-season breakouts, while veterans can leverage updated supporting casts in the new engine. The Madden 26 feature set, including deep franchise options and Ultimate Team chemistry, raises fantasy storytelling around lineups, matchups, and potential shootouts, especially in games that pit the top offenses against shaky defenses. The overall emphasis is on speed, playmaking, and situational versatility—perfect for savvy fantasy planners mapping rosters for Week 1 and beyond.