Buffalo faces a short-week showdown in Week 2 at the Meadowlands, aiming to exploit New York’s cover on the boundary and corral Justin Fields’ rushing ability. The plan centers on attacking Brandon Stephens with route variety and motion to test the Jets’ depth, while keeping a tight lid on Fields’ legs. Ed Oliver’s absence heightens the challenge on defense, making disciplined gap control crucial as Buffalo seeks rhythm in a compressed schedule.

Two-on-two, the Bills must shift the passing game into gear and pressure the Jets with timely blitzes and smart containment. If Buffalo can establish a steady passing tempo and limit Fields’ scrambles, a road win becomes a realistic outcome despite the quick turnaround.

Buffalo leans into a true team-first passing attack in 2025, spreading targets across Palmer, Moore, Shakir, Kincaid, Knox, Cook and other options after Diggs’ departure. Josh Allen’s efficiency and timing remain the engine, with 2024’s franchise-record scoring powered by broad distribution rather than a single superstar. Baltimore’s revamped secondary—Alexander likely out, with Wiggins, Humphrey, Awuzie and Hamilton delivering playmaking depth—tests Buffalo’s depth but also highlights the Bills’ collective approach as a path to victory in Week 1 at Highmark.

Buffalo’s matchup against Baltimore hinges on whether the new receivers can sustain the spread-minded attack, and whether Allen can exploit the Ravens’ still-improving secondary without a top target carrying the load. The Ravens answered in 2024 by tightening the back end, setting up a contrast between Buffalo’s multi-pronged corps and Baltimore’s strength-on-strength defense, setting the stage for a nuanced, chess-match season opener.

Matthew Golden flashed early for Green Bay, snagging two third-down conversions in his preseason debut and giving Jordan Love a tangible rookie highlight. He lined up with the first-team offense and drew a pass interference penalty on Sauce Gardner on a key third-down target, signaling the potential for a quick impact in a young Packers pass attack. Despite the near-malfunctioning offense on the night, Golden’s bursts and route clean slants provided a hopeful blueprint for how the Packers might lean into youth this season.

Love praised Golden’s practice-to-game translation, underscoring confidence in the rookie as he builds chemistry with the starting unit. The two first-series drives both ended in punts, and Green Bay didn’t convert another third down after Golden’s early success, with several passes dropped by other receivers. Still, Golden’s presence creates a compelling storyline for fantasy managers: a rookie with immediate’ in-game value and upside as Green Bay’s offense evolves around Love and a growing receiving corps.

From a fantasy lens, Golden’s early reps offer a potential late-round target with hidden ceiling, contingent on continued chances with the first team and sustained usage on third downs. The combination of Love’s promise and Golden’s speed suggests a path to sneaky weekly value if the Packers commit to him as a consistent option. The learning curve remains steep, but the early indicators are intriguing for dynasty and deep-league rosters.

As Green Bay navigates a transition year, Golden’s training-camp surge now translates into real game opportunities. If he continues delivering on planned routes and can sustain the chemistry with Love, the rookie could become a versatile playmaker in three-receiver sets and a sleeper option for fantasy managers chasing upside in the latter parts of drafts.

The New York Jets are showing promise in their search for a cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner, having signed Brandon Stephens to a three-year deal worth $36 million. Stephens, quickly making an impression during training camp, has drawn praise from head coach Aaron Glenn, who commended his standout performance in coverage. Stephens credits Glenn's coaching experience as a major factor in his decision to join the Jets.

With Stephens now part of the defensive lineup, there's a strong potential for the Jets' secondary. His ability to adapt and learn under Glenn, coupled with Gardner's established skills, could bolster the team's defensive strategy significantly this season.