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The Read Option: Fantasy Football Game-by-Game Breakdown (Week 1) background
The Read Option: Fantasy Football Game-by-Game Breakdown (Week 1)
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The Read Option: Fantasy Football Game-by-Game Breakdown (Week 1)

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Welcome to The Read Option, FTN Fantasy’s NFL Week 1 game-by-game previews. This landing page will serve as your quarterback for the week and will link to preview for the upcoming slate of games.

FTN’s game-by-game previews are the most detailed and data-rich in the industry. This page will be updated throughout the week as the previews are published. Make sure to check back periodically as games are added.

 

Week 1 NFL Previews

Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday)

KC -6.5, O/U 54
Pace: KC 27.3 sec/snap (16th), DET 26.8 sec/snap (13th)

The 2023 NFL season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting seemingly everyone’s new favorite team, the upstart Detroit Lions. This game should feature plenty of points, especially if All-World defensive tackle continues his holdout and does not play for Kansas City.

(free!)

San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

SF -2.5, O/U 41.5
Pace: SF 29.4 sec/snap (31st), PIT 27.4 sec/snap (17th)

There is plenty of hype surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers entering 2023, and it’ll be tough to find a better test than the San Francisco 49ers. My top takeaway from this game: What will the usage look like from both backfields?

(free!)

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

ATL -3.5, O/U 39.5
Pace: CAR 28.0 sec/snap (23rd), ATL 28.8 sec/snap (28th)

The NFC South is truly up for grabs this season, and there is suddenly plenty of excitement surrounding both the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. We’ll see the debuts of and , while All-Pro defensive lineman ’ status needs to be on everyone’s radar.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

BAL -10, O/U 43.5
Pace: HOU 27.3 sec/snap (15th), BAL 28.8 sec/snap (28th)

The Houston Texans travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. ’s first career start comes against one of the top defensive units in the NFL. It is certainly less than ideal. Meanwhile, just how pass-happy will the Ravens new-look offense be under Todd Monken?

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

CIN -2.5, O/U 47.5
Pace: CIN 27.8 sec/snap (21st), CLE 27.4 sec/snap (17th)

We don’t have to wait long for the battle of Ohio to take place, as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. appears on track to play but how healthy is he? For Cleveland, what will look like in his first full season as the starting quarterback?

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

JAC -5, O/U 47.5
Pace: JAC 26.4 sec/snap (8th), IND 26.7 sec/snap (11th)

The Indianapolis Colts begin (at least temporary) life without , as they host division rival Jacksonville. Head coach Shane Steichen stated this backfield will be a committee without Taylor, so can anyone be trusted in fantasy lineups? Meanwhile, makes his first NFL start, while makes his long-awaited return. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Minnesota Vikings

MIN -6, O/U 45.5
Pace: TB 24.1 sec/snap (1st), MIN 25.8 sec/snap (4th)

All offseason long, fantasy players have been terrified of the prospects of and . We’ll see what and this passing attack can do in a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who will have a brand-new defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. 

Tennessee Titans @ New Orleans Saints

NO -3, O/U 41
Pace: TEN 28.1 sec/snap (24th), NO 27.9 sec/snap (22nd)

’s three-game suspension starts at home against the Tennessee Titans. And with rookie running back banged up, could be in line for a massive workload in Week 1. For the Titans, what will look like with his new team?

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Commanders

WAS -7, O/U 38
Pace: ARI 25.2 sec/snap (2nd), WAS 28.2 sec/snap (26th)

The Washington Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals, and we’re about to see just how bad this Arizona defense truly is. Washington’s entire offense looks great ahead of this game, though (turf toe) is questionable to play.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

CHI -1, O/U 43
Pace: GB 29.6 sec/snap (32nd), CHI 28.8 sec/snap (28th)

The era kicks off at home against the Chicago Bears, who have been one of the most hyped teams throughout the offseason. It’ll be interesting to see just how different Green Bay’s offense looks without under center, while the Bears offense should take a huge step forward in ’ second full season.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos

DEN -4, O/U 44
Pace: LV 28.1 sec/snap (24th), DEN 26.4 sec/snap (8th)

The Denver Broncos are looking to have a massive bounceback season in 2023, and there aren’t many better spots to get it started than a home matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. But with sidelined, who is going to step up at wide receiver? And what will ’ usage look like in his first game back?

Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers

LAC -3, O/U 50.5
Pace: MIA 27.5 sec/snap (20th), LAC 25.9 sec/snap (5th)

The Chargers host the Dolphins. These teams met in Week 14 of last season when the Chargers stumped and this passing attack by taking away the middle of the field. Does Mike McDaniel have an answer if Brandon Staley uses a similar approach this time around?

(free!)

 

Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots

PHI -4, O/U 45
Pace: PHI 26.7 sec/snap (11th), NE 27.4 sec/snap (17th)

The New England Patriots host the defending NFC champions in Foxboro to open the season. Philadelphia’s backfield is one of the more intriguing positions in all of fantasy football, so the usage of , and should be scrutinized. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

SEA -5, O/U 45.5
Pace: LAR 28.6 sec/snap (27th), SEA 27.5 sec/snap (10th)

The Los Angeles Rams travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks but they might be doing so without , who continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Should we be comfortable starting anyone from the Rams in fantasy if Kupp is unable to play?

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

DAL -3, O/U 46.5
Pace: DAL 25.9 sec/snap (5th), NYG 27.0 sec/snap (14th)

Sunday Night Football kicks off with an NFC East matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. What will the Cowboys offense look like with Mike McCarthy now calling plays?

(free!)

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

BUF -2.5, O/U 46.5
Pace: BUF 27.5 sec/snap (7th), NYJ 25.5 sec/snap (3rd)

Perhaps the most intriguing game of the week, the New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills Monday night. will be sidelined for this game, which should make a bit happier. And for the Jets, both and are expected to play. But what will the usage look like?

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