Guerendo, Bateman, and Deebo Samuel Sr. headline Week 1 starts, with Guerendo viable as a high-end RB3/flex if McCaffrey sits. Bateman is a cautious WR3 with upside in a Bills game, thanks to his 13.9 aDOT but fluctuating targets. Samuel Sr. lands in Washington with a potently improved surrounding cast, offering a high-ceiling WR3/Flex.

Guerendo flashed in limited snaps, averaging 17.9 PPR in a 4-game stretch; if McCaffrey sits, he could see 15–20 touches. If not, Brian Robinson remains the backfield leader, capping Guerendo's workload. Bateman’s extension stabilizes the role, but the Bills defense keeps his floor modest. Samuel Sr. should thrive in Washington’s fast-paced environment, yielding weekly upside as a top secondary option.

Bottom line: monitor McCaffrey, injuries, and the opponent to decide Week 1 starts for these three — Guerendo in deeper formats, Bateman as a risky WR3, and Samuel Sr. as a strong flex option when healthy.

Sunday Night Football opens with Baltimore visiting Buffalo in a marquee Week 1 clash that sets a high bar for the rest of the season. Buffalo sits as a slim home favorite with a league-high total of 50.5, signaling a shootout vibe even as defenses are being tuned after off-season moves.

Buffalo’s defense is tasked with pressuring a blitz-happy Ravens attack, while Josh Allen leans on play-action to exploit gaps. Baltimore counters with a revitalized secondary and a red-zone emphasis that could fuel Derrick Henry’s scoring chances. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely figure prominently in a game that factors heavily into early-season fantasy and betting decisions.

Betting bets lean toward a close finish: Henry to score in the red zone and Andrews to surprise in receiving yards, while Allen’s passing yard line sits under 231.5 in several fades. The ESPN analytics projection leans Even, underscoring the tight, decision-heavy nature of Week 1’s SNF slate.

Khalil Shakir is set for Week 1 as Buffalo hosts Baltimore in prime time. He posted 100 targets, 76 catches, 821 yards and 4 TD last season, finishing WR37 in PPR. With an ADP around 45, he’ll likely come off the bench for many, but could pay off as a high-usage flex in Week 1.

In a high-volume Bills passing attack, Shakir’s floor is solid in PPR and his ceiling hinges on game flow. Expect Allen to target him early and often, making him a trustworthy start in many fantasy lineups and a potential season-long sleeper if his target share grows again.

Baltimore travels to Buffalo in Week 1 for a prime-time test and Rashod Bateman sits among Ravens pass-game options.

Bateman peaked in 2024 with 45 catches, 756 yards and 9 TDs, catching big plays at 16.8 yards per reception and helping Baltimore post strong passing EPA. He signed a three-year extension, but targets should be shared with Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and DeAndre Hopkins. Week 1: a tight, primetime matchup could limit volume, so Bateman is a hold-and-monitor sit in many standard and PPR formats as Baltimore leans on its rushing attack.

Week 1 brings Buffalo at Baltimore under prime-time lights, and fantasy managers will be watching three one-on-one battles that could tilt the narrative. Rashod Bateman faces the Bills’ upcoming CB2, while Matt Milano slides into Derrick Henry’s path in the opener. Odafe Oweh vs Spencer Brown caps the trio, a pair of edge duels that could set the tone for the first fantasy indicators of the season.

Bateman’s separation, Henry’s power, and Oweh’s sack potential shape not just the game flow but which players push into top-12 territory in weekly lineups. Brown’s blocking against Baltimore’s fearsome pass rush could swing Buffalo’s play-action and run game. The outcomes of these matchups will guide Week 1 value across fantasy teams.

Expect high leverage plays in the passing game, a few big plays against CB2, and a night where the defensive lines set the tempo. In short, these three matchups will tell you where early season fantasy upside and risk live in this divisional rematch.