Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Green Bay sit atop the early NFL pecking order, underscoring how coaching, depth, and aimed efficiency shape fantasy upside. Josh Allen weathered a brutal hit and a TD drought but still steered the Bills to a solid win, while Jordan Love’s Packers continue to unlock space for playmakers and scheme advantages. Baltimore, Detroit, and the Rams anchor rosters with steady rosters and game plans, even as KC and SF navigate early-season ebbs and flows.

The piece stresses adaptive play-calling, emerging talents, and the ripple effects of elite coordinators. It frames fantasy value as a product of design and depth—versatile backs, breakout receivers, and quarterbacks who can sustain multi-week ceilings. In short, depth and scheme trump name-brand hype when projections head into Week 3.

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.

Los Angeles rode a second-half surge to a commanding 33-19 win, flipping the script on Tennessee after a tight first half. Stafford and the Rams’ aerial attack clicked late, with Adams and Nacua thriving as high-volume options and Williams providing steady ground threat. The performance boosts fantasy angles: a revitalized pass game around a veteran QB and a rookie receiver corps with ceiling looks.

Adams delivered season-highlight numbers, Nacua maintained his target-heavy role, and Stafford pressed the tempo as L.A. leaned on a dangerous passing attack. Williams’ workload remained under mild scrutiny despite efficient production, while the Titans’ defense and rookie Cam Ward offered early intrigue but couldn’t keep pace when the Rams flipped the switch in the second half.