In primetime, the Vikings were punched in the mouth 22-6 by Atlanta, dropping to 1-1 as McCarthy’s second NFL start yielded little spark. O’Connell owned the misstep, pledging sharper preparation and cleaner execution across all phases on a short week. Minnesota now faces a stern stretch with Cincinnati at home, then Pittsburgh and Cleveland before Philadelphia visits, with a closing nod to Packers chatter that could influence divisional pressure and fantasy reads.

The result underscores a must-improve game plan and coaching clarity as Minnesota searches for offensive rhythm and defensive resilience. Fantasy managers should monitor how the Vikings retool their attack and which players gain clearer roles as this slate tightens and divisional dynamics heat up.

Week 3 DST streaming guide highlights four defenses with strong single-week upside: Green Bay at Cleveland, Jacksonville at Houston, Indianapolis at Tennessee, and Atlanta at Carolina. Each matchup yields sacks, turnovers, and modest point totals, with all four defenses rostered in under half of leagues, making them smart one-week rentals for Week 3.

Smart streaming here means chasing favorable matchups and avoiding overplayed units. These options offer clear paths to a fantasy edge—pressure, chaos, and upside without long-term commitments—perfect for managers looking to squeeze value from the Week 3 slate.

Week 2 of 2025 delivered a wave of fantasy busts across QB, RB, WR and TE, forcing managers to rethink lineups and smartly pivot for Week 3. Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy faltered in prime time, while a host of running backs—Henry, Hall, Charbonnet, Pacheco, Hunt and more—never found their footing. WRs like A.J. Brown, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Drake London cooled after strong openings, and tight ends such as Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson offered limited fantasy returns. Bounce-back potential remains for several, but risk has clearly risen across the board.

Rosters should shift toward safer floors and clearer use-cases in Week 3, with attention to upcoming matchups against softer defenses and potential in-game script shifts. The busts spotlight several buy-low windows, particularly at WR and TE, where targets and red-zone usage could swing dramatically with a favorable game plan. Fantasy managers should weigh the rest-of-season trajectory against Week 2 volatility and adjust accordingly.

Overall, Week 2 underscored the value of depth and matchup-fueled decisions. Staying ahead requires identifying hidden Week 3 opportunities among RBs with clearer roles, WRs in jam-friendly offenses, and TEs who still command a red-zone presence despite rough Sundays.