Media by Associated Press – Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves the field at halftime of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
The opening week of the NFL is underway, and now we get to our first Sunday of action. There are games on opening Sunday, one more than usual. This is the first season in recent memory with only one Monday night game, so all the teams play on Sunday except Buffalo, LA Rams, Denver, and Seattle.
Let’s take a look at the top three players to count on in week one in fantasy football or DFS play.
Derrick Henry
King Henry has flat-out dominated the last four seasons, with the exception of being injured at the end of last year. He was leading the NFL in nearly every rushing category last year when h he was injured. That injury from a third straight rushing title and leading the league in touchdowns.
He still ran for 937 yards and ten scores last year in eight games, and in 2020 he had 2.027 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Henry has scored 55 touchdowns in his last 55 games, and he’s averaging 101.1 yards per game in that span.
We know Henry will get his touches, he routinely rushes more than 20 times a game, and with A.J. Brown gone, he could get even more carries in 2022. The Titans host the New York Giants in the opener. Last year the Giants ranked 25th against the run and allowed more than one rushing touchdown per game.
Given the combination of the Titans’ offense and the Giants’ defense. Give Henry a pickup for this week in DFS.
Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings wideout had a monster 2021 season with 108 catches for 1,616 yards and ten touchdowns in 17 games. He has 3,016 yards and 196 catches in two seasons with 17 touchdowns. Jefferson averages 91 yards per game, 15,4 yards per catch, and nearly 12 targets per game.
He will again be the top target of Kirk Cousins this season, even more so in the red zone with Kyle Rudolph gone. Minnesota hosts Green Bay in the opener, which could mean Jefferson draws Jaire Alexander. Last year, Alexander was hurt, and Jefferson went for 8/169/2 in the home game against the Packers and 6/58/0 at Lambeau Field in December.
As you’d expect, the Vikings won the game where Jefferson had a big game, 34-31. They lost 37-10 when he was held to 58 yards in Week 17. The Vikings know if they are going to beat the Packers to start the 2022 season, they must have big plays to Jefferson and reach the 30–point plateau.
Look for new head coach Kevin O’Connell to call Jefferson’s number early and often Sunday, even if Alexander is matched up across from him.
Mark Andrews
Spend money at the tight end position without getting the top-priced guys. Andrews is the favorite target of Lamar Jackson, and now with Hollywood Brown, where else is Jackson going to go for touchdowns?
Baltimore is heavily favored to beat the New York Jets on Sunday. Jackson just turned down a huge contract and is ready to prove he deserves top quarterback money like Kyler Murray, and DeShaun Watson got this summer. That may mean he throws even more in 2022.
The Jets ranked 25th against tight ends last year, and they will likely struggle in that spot again in 2022. Andrews isn’t the way they want to see if they have improved, as he had 107 catches for 1,361 yards last year. If you miss out on Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and George Kittle, take a look at Andrews for Sunday.
Keep up with your latest NFL news coverage and betting pick previews at NJSportsbookReview.com.