The Vikings’ Week 2 performance exposed a work-in-progress reality for a young quarterback and a retooling offense. J.J. McCarthy absorbed heavy pressure, racked up sacks and turnovers, and his accuracy wavered as Atlanta’s defense harassed him all night. Minnesota’s coaching staff framed it as a growth process, stressing execution and fundamentals from the line to the play-caller. The locker room’s optimism remains, but the clock is ticking on quick improvements.

With a patchwork line and a high-pressure, turnover-prone night, fantasy managers should weigh the risk of McCarthy’s volatility against potential rushing upside. Expect a shift toward better protection and more designed plays to ease his progression, while veterans like Adam Thielen anchor leadership and steady targets. The long journey is underway; the immediate path is sharper execution and smarter situational play.

Concussion and toe injuries dominate Week 3 projections as Vikings and Bengals brace for possible lineup shuffles. Ryan Kelly exited with a concussion, and Justin Skule also carried a concussion issue, testing Minnesota's tackle depth behind Christian Darrisaw. Joe Burrow's toe injury could push Jake Browning into action in Week 3, shifting Cincinnati's game plan on short notice.

Additional issues ripple through the slate: Aaron Jones hamstring, Jonathan Greenard oblique, and Shemar Stewart Week-to-Week. Green Bay and Houston join Cincinnati in facing uncertainty that will reshape run/pass volumes and fantasy upside for key players across the board.

Caleb Williams must surge on a hostile road as the Bears and Lions clash with an 0-1 start on the line. Bold predictions spotlight a deep-ball surge, Roschon Johnson delivering a goal-line TD, Dayo Odeyingbo staying hot, Cairo Santos rebounding, and Ben Johnson dialing a trick play. Williams eyes air yards; Johnson stabilizes Chicago’s ground game; Santos seeks kick-clip redemption as Detroit’s revamped offense tries to rebound under John Morton and Ben Johnson.

The fantasy edge centers on Williams’ arm in a tough environment, Johnson’s backfield leverage, and special-teams swings that could tilt field position. Monitor Johnson’s workload, Santos’ kicking volume, and how Odeyingbo pressures Detroit’s protection in a pivotal divisional showdown.

Christian Darrisaw sat out the Bears game after testing his surgically repaired knee in warmups, nudging Justin Skule into starting duty. J.J. McCarthy delivered late heroics despite uneven protection, while Blake Cashman exited with a hamstring issue and Eric Wilson stepped in to direct the defense. Jeff Okudah’s concussion evaluation and Harrison Smith’s illness added to Vikings’ injury drama, with Bears’ Caleb Williams and Nahshon Wright contributing big plays as Minnesota honored shooting victims at the pregame.