Jake Browning takes Cincinnati’s quarterback duties, flashing a stable fantasy floor around 20 points per game in his last starter stint, signaling weekly streaming viability in favorable matchups.

Denver’s WR pecking order shifts as Troy Franklin edges Marvin Mims Jr. for outside work, with Courtland Sutton anchoring the unit. Woody Marks is breaking out in Houston’s backfield, potentially becoming a top waiver RB and even a starter soon. PFF+ tools and in-season projections round out the plan for smart, early-week roster decisions.

Week 2 MNF pivots on inactives as Houston and Tampa Bay shuffle roles for Monday night. Dameon Pierce is a healthy scratch for Houston, with British Brooks stepping in as the primary back as Jake Andrews sits with an ankle injury and Jarrett Patterson takes over at center. Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are sidelined again, thinning Houston’s WR corps. Graham Mertz remains the Texans’ third QB while Tommy Togiai is inactive. Tampa Bay rests Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs; Luke Goedeke will start, with Devin Culp, Tez Johnson, Josh Williams and Rashad Wisdom out.

Inactives force a reshaped game plan on both sides. For fantasy managers, Pierce’s absence tightens Houston’s backfield usage around Brooks, while the Texans lean on Patterson’s center duties and the wider depth chart. For Tampa Bay, the conqueror of the line remains unsettled until Goedeke clears, pressuring the Buccaneers’ pass and run schemes without their top weapons.

Week 1’s NFL PFF grades spotlighted Houston’s Week 1 showing, with CJ Stroud navigating heavy pressure to post a productive day and Will Anderson Jr. dominating the edge. Nico Collins struggled as Houston’s WR1, while Cade Stover flashed as the Texans’ top pass-catcher before an injury sidelined him. Dare Ogunbowale and Aireontae Ersery had rough debuts, and CJ Gardner-Johnson and Derek Stingley Jr. faced stiffer days than hoped. Dameon Pierce touched the ball sparingly. Week 2 vs Tampa is the next litmus test.

Stroud’s 73.1 grade and 80.5 rushing grade fed optimism for fantasy managers, as he added 32 rushing yards on five carries. Anderson’s 91.0 PFF rating and a sack show the defense could carry DFS value, while Stover impressed (when healthy) with four grabs for 22 yards. Collins’ floor dip, Ersery’s issues, and the back-end fragility highlight Week 2 adjustments for the Texans.