The Vikings face a prolonged absence for J.J. McCarthy after a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for 2-4 weeks. Carson Wentz steps in as the starter, with Minnesota weighing a Europe-tilted schedule that could push McCarthy’s return to Week 7 against Philadelphia. The team also navigates a Week 3 tilt with Cincinnati while balancing travel-heavy Weeks 4 (Dublin) and 5 (London). Minnesota aims to protect McCarthy during the recovery to prevent reaggravation, following a 2024 preseason meniscus injury.

With the plan to keep the rookie QB closer to peak health, the Vikings’ offense is likely to lean on Wentz’s veteran distribution and a restructured week-to-week game plan. The unusual overseas footprint adds a layer of urgency for a quick, clean rehab, as the bye in Week 6 offers a clean reset before the late-season stretch. Fantasy managers should monitor Wentz’s early targeting and any changes in the pass-game rhythm as McCarthy’s timeline remains fluid.

Injury timing and the cross-continental schedule create an opportunity window for Minnesota to optimize the offense around Wentz while preserving McCarthy for a potential Week 7 return. The decision underscores the prioritization of long-term health over immediate spark, a stance that could shift early-season fantasy outcomes and betting angles as details evolve.

Cleveland’s Week 2 setback to Baltimore underscored the season’s rough edges, but the rookie class offered real fantasy upside. Dylan Sampson flashed Week 1 promise with 93 yards from scrimmage before a quieter follow-up, while Dillon Gabriel showed poise in mop-up duty and his first pro TD. Quinshon Judkins supplied explosive burst, and Harold Fannin Jr. emerged as a reliable target, racking up 12 receptions for 111 yards. Together, they sketch a rebuild path with tangible dynasty and DFS potential.

Green Bay rides a Week 2 streak into the top tier of NFL power rankings, landing at No. 3 after back-to-back wins over a pair of top-10 teams. Across outlets, the Packers sit tight near the summit, with several placing Green Bay at No. 1 thanks to a stingy defense and a blossoming offense around Jordan Love. The coming test vs. the Browns looms, while veteran observers note how coaching threads—LaFleur’s influence and Quinn’s staff connections—are shaping the-year outlook for a playoff push.

Fantasy angles sharpen as Love has yet to reel in a true No. 1 target, while tight end Tucker Kraft and receiver Jayden Reed charted as key playmakers before Reed’s injury. With the defense humming and Parsons-era production cited as a yardstick, Green Bay’s schedule of late-prominence opponents keeps fantasy managers watching the ceilings of a defense-led, offense-augmented attack.