Chicago opened Week 1 with promise but fell 27-24 to Minnesota, leaving Bears fans with a blend of hype and frustration. Caleb Williams flashed upside yet couldn’t sustain positive drives, while J.J. McCarthy and a second-half Vikings surge tilted the score. Dayo Odeyingbo anchored Chicago’s defensive front with a sack and multiple QB pressures, and Gervon Dexter started to show game-wrecker potential. Colston Loveland and the O-line’s penalties hamstrung scoring opportunities, but Nashon Wright’s 6th-long interception-for-TD hinted at a sharper secondary. Colmet’s big 31-yard grab stood out among the tight ends, while Williams’ drought underscored growth areas for fantasy-minded Bears owners. Overall, durability, frontline depth, and a clearer QB-room identity emerged as Week 1 themes.

Chase Young and Trevor Penning are ruled out for Week 1 as New Orleans hosts Arizona, reshaping the Saints' edge and left-guard rotation. Jordan Howden is listed as questionable with an oblique, while Khristian Boyd and Alontae Taylor carry limited designations; Taylor is on track to play. For Arizona, Will Hernandez is out, Calais Campbell rests, with several other Cardinals players carrying no designation. These updates tilt some Week 1 expectations on both sides and create fantasy-adjusted risk around pass rush and pass protection.

With Young and Penning sidelined, Saints' defense and offensive line faces a thinner edge presence and guard depth, while Arizona’s offensive front may benefit from an improved matchup on the Saints’ rush lanes. Fantasy implications center on QBs and pass-catchers who could see more time or time to throw, plus potential changes in defensive performance and game tempo.

Week 1 injury notes tighten fantasy decisions in the Saints–Cardinals opener. Alontae Taylor is expected to play after a groin issue, while Jordan Howden is a game-time decision in New Orleans’ safety corps. Trevor Penning is out; Chase Young is also sidelined. For Arizona, Calais Campbell and John Gaines II are set to contribute after rest, with two Cardinals questionable (Dante Stills, Owen Pappoe) and Will Hernandez ruled out. Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau remain on PUP and five Saints (Saldiveri, Clapp, Bub Means, Mason Pline, Landon Young) are done for the year on IR, shaping Week 1 lineups.

In short, Taylor’s health anchors NO’s secondary rotation, while Campbell’s activity will matter in run defense. Arizona’s rest and rest/rested players could tweak interior blocking, and the Saints’ Week 1 pass-catching and special-teams depth will be tested by missing Penning and Hill’s absence from the lineup.

Week 1 rosters are set and Minnesota Golden Gophers alumni sprinkle across the NFL’s 53-man rosters. Rashod Bateman and Daniel Faalele anchor Baltimore’s opener, Aireontae Ersery starts at left tackle for Houston, Brevyn Spann-Ford lands as Dallas’ third tight end, and Ko Kieft backs TB’s duo at tight end. Blake Cashman boosts Minnesota’s LB depth, Bucky Irving headlines TB’s backfield, Boye Mafe brings edge presence for Seattle, Jordan Howden helps New Orleans, and Tyler Nubin looks to take the next step with Minnesota’s roster.

Across the league, these former Gophers aren’t just on the field—they’re in the mix for fantasy relevance in various roles from starter to complementary pieces. The depth thread runs through the day, underscoring Minnesota talent driving several teams beyond expectations in Week 1.

As the countdown continues to the 2025 NFL season, New Orleans Saints' safety Jordan Howden stands out as the Player of the Day. At 25, Howden is entering his third season with the Saints, having shown promise since being drafted in the fifth round (146th overall) in 2023. His college career at Minnesota was marked by consistent performance, including a notable 58 total tackles in his final year.

Howden's role in the secondary is crucial as the Saints prepare for their home opener against the Arizona Cardinals. With a salary cap hit of just over $1 million, his continued development is vital for the team's defensive strategy this season. As the Saints look to build on past successes, Howden represents an exciting piece of their future, both on and off the field.