Cincinnati’s 2-0 start is overshadowed by Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe, requiring surgery and likely a multi-month absence. Browning steps in as the interim passer, forcing a potential shift in the Bengals’ offense as they chase a difficult AFC path. Turmoil around Burrow’s timeline, paired with turf-toe history from Purdy to Mahomes, adds a fantasy layer that makes Burrow-related assets riskier and Browning-era options uncertain until Burrow’s status clears.

Las Vegas reshapes its linebacking corps into a faster, smarter unit. Elandon Roberts and Devin White join Germaine Pratt to form a downhill, communicative trio that thrives on attack and football IQ, giving Patrick Graham a versatile front. Early signs show a more cohesive defense that reads plays quickly and converges with violence.

Fantasy managers should watch Week 2 for how this group handles pass coverage, blitz timing, and run support. Pratt’s leadership, White’s speed, and Roberts’ punch could translate into more tackles and opportunistic plays, lifting the Raiders’ defensive upside in fantasy formats.

Justin Herbert anchors Week 2 MNF DFS, carrying top-line upside against a Raiders defense that yielded big scoring nights in Week 1. Bucky Irving and Omarion Hampton emerge as the clearest valueRBs, with heavy workloads expected in their offenses. Jakobi Meyers and Emeka Egbuka offer cheap, high-target floors to free salary for bigger stars. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua provide premium upside in the same game script, while Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer anchor the TE spots with Dalton Schultz as a salary-saver pivot. Tyler Allgeier’s Week 1 TD signals backfield upside for the Falcons.

The slate centers on the Chargers–Raiders and Buccaneers–Texans matchups, with a midrange/ value-driven approach that rewards volume and game-script clarity. The emphasis is on stacking Herbert with a reliable receiving duo, extracting value from midtier backs, and balancing top-tear options with solid PPR floors. This is a Week 2 MNF you don’t want to fade, especially if you’re chasing ceiling without breaking the bank.

In short, build around Herbert, leverage Irving and Hampton for budget-friendly floor/ceiling, deploy Meyers and Egbuka as sneaky cross-games plays, and cap your TE with Bowers or Mayer while using Schultz as a flexible pivot. The plan is to maximize points-per-dollar while keeping exposure to the likely scoring games high.

Geno Smith lands in Las Vegas as Plan A, a culture fit that could unlock the Raiders' ceiling this season. The two-year, $75 million deal signals stability, and Week 1's controlled, clutch drive hints at a quarterback who can push the offense in a volatile AFC West. The move also reframes his career arc, highlighting resilience and a leadership edge that could translate to fantasy value.

Smith's journey—from Jets backups to Seahawks starter to Raiders catalyst—frames a grit-driven narrative that fantasy managers should monitor: volume looks, fourth‑quarter magic, and a coaching dynamic that stresses trust and late-game execution. If the offense takes flight, Smith could become a high-ceiling, steady QB2 with weekly streaming upside.