Dallas outlasted New York 40-37 in overtime as Brandon Aubrey drilled a 64-yard FG to force OT and followed with a 46-yard winner. Dru Phillips anchored the Giants' defense with multiple first-down-saving tackles and a pivotal late stand, even as New York piled up 500+ yards for the first time in nearly six seasons. The loss leaves NYG 0-2 in the NFC East this year and 5-20-1 in the division since 2021, while Dallas rides a high-powered offense and reliable kicking. The Giants’ next test is a primetime date with the winless Chiefs in East Rutherford, a true gauge of their week-to-week ceiling. For fantasy, Aubrey’s leg and Phillips’ defensive juice stand out, while NYG’s aerial production hints at a workable floor if the defense tightens in future must-wins.

Geno Smith struggled in Week 2, finishing with an 0-11 mark on passes of 10+ yards and three interceptions as the Raiders fell to the Chargers 20-9. The offense, led by a slow-starting Chip Kelly game plan, stalled in the red zone (1-7) and left fantasy managers questioning Smith’s ceiling after a hot opener in New England. Ashton Jeanty showed flashes but couldn’t spark a consistent ground attack.

The home crowd, Brady in the box and Carroll’s birthday spectacle added narrative spice, while Khalil Mack and Maxx Crosby anchored the defense and Daniel Carlson delivered a 54-yard FG. Herbert and the Chargers closed strong, leaving Las Vegas with more questions than answers about offense and play-calling. Next up, a Bears visit that will test the Raiders’ consistency at Allegiant.

Key fantasy takeaways: bench/limit Geno until he resets, monitor Crosby’s disruptive upside, and keep an eye on the red-zone usage of Bowers and the offense as a whole. Herbert remains a strong fantasy start, with the Chargers’ defense capable of supporting streaming options in tougher matchups.

Week 3 in the AFC West features a tight Denver at Los Angeles showdown with a 2.5-point road line and a 45.5 total, highlighting a split in momentum between the teams. Denver arrives off a sloppy offensive showing and shaky defense, while Los Angeles comes off a convincing win at Las Vegas and appears to be peaking early in 2025. Division familiarity suggests another close, grind-it-out bout where Denver must bring their A-game to stay in range.

Teair Tart’s Week 2 actions draw the spotlight back to a Chargers defense already under scrutiny. After Week 1's $12,000 fine for slapping Travis Kelce, Tart again popped a late shove on Geno Smith that drew no flag, triggering audible outrage from Raiders fans at Allegiant Stadium. With potential league review looming, fantasy managers weigh Tart's risk-reward in IDP formats and the Chargers' knack for pressure in upcoming games.

The incident also tests officiating consistency and could influence defensive rotation if penalties trend up. Managers should monitor Tart's disciplinary trajectory and how it affects his tackle and sack upside as the schedule tightens.

Herbert is guiding a pass-heavy Chargers attack, signaling an evolution under Harbaugh away from the old-school run-first trope. The offense aims to maximize Herbert’s arm with a sharper skill corps and a more versatile backfield.

In the MNF win over the Raiders, the Chargers leaned into the aerial game with 27 pass attempts to 26 rushes, Herbert delivering 242 yards and 2 TDs. Johnston, Hampton, and Harris give Herbert more route-running and reliability, while Mack’s health and Perryman’s status loom as potential swing factors in a crowded AFC race.