Week 1 features notable injury uncertainty for Bills and Ravens as Isaiah Likely (foot) and Patrick Ricard (soft tissue) may sit, complicating Baltimore’s offense. Likely was Baltimore’s top target in the Bills playoff win, while Ricard has been a key lead blocker for Derrick Henry in the run game. Harbaugh’s update on Likely is cautiously optimistic, but Ricard’s status remains murky. The Bills defense and Ravens’ ground attack shape Week 1 fantasy angles, especially in tight end usage and early-game script.

Baltimore’s outside zone and power draws, with Ricard serving as a battering ram, could push the Ravens to lean on the run if Likely is limited. Buffalo’s defense will test the Ravens’ depth at tight end and the Bills’ ability to slow the Ravens’ rushing cadence. Jaire Alexander’s return to practice adds a wrinkle for Baltimore’s secondary, while Bills players and schemes watch the injury clock closely as Week 1 approaches.

Saints release Gray as part of a youth-forward overhaul; Ravens sign him to the practice squad, a smart bet for a club that leans on special teams depth. With kickoff rules shifting the value of coverage units, Gray’s veteran ST presence could become a real asset for Baltimore if he earns a spot on the 53.

Fantasy eyes should track Ravens ST usage and any promo to the active roster. Gray’s impact, if any, hinges on promotion and any incidental plays beyond special teams. Saints’ rebuild accelerates with rookies and second-year players poised to claim expanded roles on both sides of the ball.

NFL season kickoff betting explodes as hundreds of millions flow through U.S. sportsbooks, with Eagles-Cowboys slated to be the biggest Week 1 handle. Bettors flood the opener, and bookmakers say the first two Week 1 games (Ravens-Chiefs, Packers-Eagles) already landed in the top 10 for the season. A countdown to football returns fuels the surge, and early-season demand tends to stay elevated through Thanksgiving before normalizing.

History shows Weeks 1 and 2 carry the heaviest betting volume outside playoffs, driven by money set aside offseason and a quick feedback loop from Week 1 results. The opener’s impact on fantasy and DFS is as pronounced as the bets, with sharp action, public bets, and predicted pace shaping early-season lineups and prop markets.