Yes, it was just one game.
And what a game it was, before we move on to the fantasy football implications — Josh Allen had four touchdowns total, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis went off, and Cooper Kupp still appears to be capable of matching (surpassing??) last year’s absurd numbers.
But it was quite a game for fantasy football managers, especially if you had any of the Buffalo Bills or Los Angeles Rams on your squads.
There was so much to buzz about when it came to both backfields, and some serious frustration when it came to a certain new wide receiver for L.A.
Let’s dive in:
1
Darrell Henderson looks like the RB1 over Cam Akers, but ...
OK, so yeah, this isn’t great:
Darrell Henderson played 82% of the snaps on Week 1 with 13 carries and 5 targets – he went for 73 yards
Cam Akers played 18% of snaps with 3 carries, no targets and no yards #Rams
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 9, 2022
Akers put up a goose egg in a game where managers at least HOPED he’d get a 50-50 split with Henderson.
Here’s my thing: It never felt like Akers was healthy all through the preseason. So this could be a case where he needs time to ramp up into game shape, and that 50-50 split could be a thing soon.
In other words, this is going to be VERY frustrating all season if they’re in a timeshare. I’m not completely buying that Henderson is suddenly the lead RB the rest of the year.
2
Cooper Kupp, still Cooper Kupp
Fun fact: Kupp had five regular-season games with double-digit catches.
Fun fact No. 2: He had 13 receptions against the Rams, with 15 (!!) targets.
Maybe we all thought there was no way he could have repeated what he did in 2021, and I saw him taken as the WR2 in a lot of leagues behind Justin Jefferson with that in mind.
Maybe we were all wrong.
3
Ugh, Allen Robinson
One catch, two targets, 12 yards for the ex-Bear who we thought could be a great second option for Matthew Stafford.
Nooooope. At least not on Thursday.
Again, it’s one game. But Stafford’s elbow is a concern, and it felt like he was throwing a lot of short stuff. Tyler Higbee and Henderson both got five catches each, with the former being targeted 11 times.
You’re not dropping Robinson after this week, obviously. But if it’s going to be Kupp and a mix of others — worth noting, Van Jefferson will be back at some point — you’re concerned.
4
The Bills' backfield is messy
James Cook fumbled. Zack Moss is still a factor, especially in the passing game (six catches off that many targets). Devin Singletary got just eight carries. Allen was the leading rusher and had the most carries, plus the touchdown.
Welp.
5
Dawson Knox might not be what he was last year
The emergence of Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie could mean a downgrade for Knox.
I was already worried about touchdown regression for him after he scored nine times last season. After a one-catch performance? Very worried!
