Football fans rejoice, the 2014 NFL season hit the ground running with an exciting opening week full of surprises.
The Miami Dolphins stunned the New England Patriots, and Jake Locker's Tennessee Titans ran rampant over the Kansas City Chiefs, last year's top breakout squad. Aren't upsets the best?
From a more individualistic standpoint, several offensive performers piled on the points for their fantasy football owners. In an always unpredictable opening week, established stars, trendy sleepers and some complete no-names offered plenty of fantasy appeal.
Here's a full look at Week 1's scores along with Sunday afternoon's top fantasy performers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta FalconsScott Cunningham/Getty Images
Now that Julio Jones and Roddy White are back, Matt Ryan is once again a top-10 fantasy quarterback.
Jones returned strong with seven catches for 116 yards, and White delivered another 72 yards and a score after an injury-plagued 2013. Ryan finished with 448 yards and three touchdowns on an incredibly efficient 31-of-43 passing against the New Orleans Saints
Along with a healthier receiving corps, Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey credited a more able offensive line for giving Ryan time in the pocket.
Falcons offense is doing this with warm bodies on the offensive line. Matt Ryan is playing on Godmode right now.- Michael Schottey (@Schottey) September 7, 2014
Matty Ice hardly just exploited an easy matchup; New Orleans ranked second in passing yards allowed behind the Seattle Seahawks last season. Its secondary is arguably better now after acquiring Jairus Byrd during the offseason.
Two years ago, Ryan recorded 4,719 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. Don't be surprised if he replicates those results in 2014.
Isaiah Crowell/Terrance West, Cleveland BrownsLeon Halip/Getty Images
Wow, Week 1 was not kind to elite running backs. Despite seemingly great matchups, top picks LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles both finished with lackluster numbers by their standards.
The most notable development out the backfield came at Pittsburgh, where Ben Tate left the game with a knee injury during the first half. Per Bleacher Report's Will Carroll, he'll receive an MRI to determine the ailment's severity:
Ben Tate being sent for MRI on knee.- Will Carroll (@injuryexpert) September 7, 2014
With their expected workhorse down, the Cleveland Browns turned to rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, two players who should be added universally to fantasy rosters if Tate misses more time.
West received the bulk of the carries, gaining 100 yards on 16 handoffs. Yet Crowell, an undrafted rookie, made an indelible impact with two rushing touchdowns during the third quarter.
Touchdowns are tough to predict, so don't assume Crowell is the better fantasy bet unless he continues to receive more goal-line work. West is more than capable of handling red-zone work, so he's still the preferred choice if you can only grab one.
Allen Hurns, Jacksonville JaguarsMitchell Leff/Getty Images
Look at Week 1's other numerous top performers at wideout and you'll see an assortment of popular preseason sleepers. Many fantasy experts look smart after predicting breakout seasons from Cordarrelle Patterson, Brandin Cooks and DeAndre Hopkins.
Allen Hurns, however, frequented only the deepest sleeper lists. If you're one of the few managers who drafted and started the Jacksonville Jaguars receiver, give yourself a pat on the back and a Week 1 win.
Making his NFL debut, Hurns registered two long touchdown catches in the opening quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, whose passing defense looked as weak as last year on Sunday. He finished with four catches, 110 yards and a pair of scores.
In the process, he set an impressive feat for a rookie wideout, per ESPN Stats & Info.
.@Jaguars Allen Hurns became 1st player in NFL history with 2 receiving TD in the first quarter in his NFL debut (via @eliassports)- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 7, 2014
To be fair, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley tried to warn us. Before the season began, he spoke fondly of his new pass-catching weapon to Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke.
'We saw it in OTAs-some of the quarterbacks said they really like him,' Bradley said late last month. 'They felt like this guy is a diamond in the rough. Just trust us on this. He has some talent. I think the cool thing for him was it was against the 1s. He went out there and performed at that level.'
Martellus Bennett, Chicago BearsDavid Banks/Getty Images
Everyone who has typed words about fantasy football has inevitably discussed the Chicago Bears' overflowing offensive talent. Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are respected studs, and plenty people touted Jay Cutler as a breakout candidate.
The lost man in the fold, Martellus Bennett made the greatest impact on Sunday with eight receptions, 70 yards and a score. That makes him one of the week's top tight ends alongside Zach Ertz, who entered the season with massive sleeper fanfare.
Nobody ever knows what he or she will get from the tight end slot. Anyone who didn't select Jimmy Graham in Round 1 better prepare for some empty weeks, and Bennett will surely take a back seat during plenty of Chicago's games.
But for what he is, a low-end starting tight end to use in the right matchup, Bennett will serve just fine.
Minnesota VikingsL.G. Patterson/Associated Press
The moral of the story here? Play the matchups with team defenses.
Sure, the Minnesota Vikings allowed only a pair of field goals during an impressive 34-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams. They registered five sacks, and Harrison Smith took an interception 81 yards to the house. All fantastic stuff, and great signs for a Minnesota rebound.
Yet last year's No. 31 defense is unlikely to become a trusty fantasy contributor on a weekly basis. Instead, the Vikings feasted on a poor St. Louis offense that lost Sam Bradford during the preseason.
Minnesota now embarks on a brutal schedule, facing the Patriots, Saints, Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in order. Kudos to anyone who streamed Minnesota on Sunday, but don't bother showing up late to the party.
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