NFL 2025: Cowboys Post-Parsons Analysis, Surprises, Fantasy and More in Week 1

Deep Dive into NFL Week 1 2025

The 2025 NFL season has finally arrived! Our experts analyze the most important questions, the latest news, and the general atmosphere surrounding the start of the season. The most talked-about move of the week was the transfer of the outstanding edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Cowboys to the Packers. How does this change affect the Cowboys? Our analysts delved into league sources to get answers. But that’s not all. We also analyze the teams that could surprise and make the playoffs, the players with the potential to stand out in Week 1, the situations of the coaches who need a good start, and fantasy tips.

The Post-Parsons Impact on the Cowboys

What is being discussed in the league about the Cowboys’ cap situation without Parsons in 2025?

The offense is expected to be good, as long as quarterback Dak Prescott stays healthy. The addition of wide receiver George Pickens could make the Cowboys explosive in the passing game, and although their running back corps might not be the flashiest, they will run effectively if the offensive line performs.

Dan Graziano

There is curiosity about whether the Cowboys can generate consistent pass pressure without Parsons, but Dallas coaches would point out that they had already begun building their defense without him on the training field, as he did not participate. The Cowboys believe their defense is in a good place in terms of learning the scheme. There is skepticism in the league, but no one is completely ruling them out. When Prescott has been healthy, they have generally been a playoff team.

People within the league aren’t as pessimistic about Dallas as fans and the media seem to be right now. The loss of Parsons hurts, but the Cowboys have been a shrewd team in the draft over the last decade and have three former Day 2 edge rusher picks — Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and Donovan Ezeiruaku — ready to step in. The roster has talent. And the addition of Pickens received attention across the league. Evaluators know how good he can be in 2025 in a contract year with a proven quarterback. Despite all that, Philadelphia and Washington are considered a cut above in the division, which seems correct.

Jeremy Fowler

And that’s fair. But it’s been 21 years since a team repeated as NFC East champion, so that takes Philadelphia out of the equation! And if Washington regresses, who knows? This could be one of those NFC East seasons where you don’t need 12 or 13 wins to win the title, which suits the Cowboys well.

Dan Graziano

Caption: Stephen A. Smith details why trading Micah Parsons was a terrible deal.

Dallas’ schedule is also manageable. If the Cowboys can somehow get past Philadelphia on Thursday night, they have winnable games in Weeks 2 and 3 (Giants at home, Bears away). Then it’s the rematch with the Packers at home.

Jeremy Fowler

Revelation Teams with Playoff Potential

What underrated team do you think will make the playoffs?

The New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel’s presence has already paid off. Quarterback Drake Maye is poised for a leap in year two. The defensive tackle duo of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams has the opportunity to be special. Two of their AFC East rivals (Dolphins and Jets) appear to be in transition. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has the explosiveness to break big runs. And Josh McDaniels is a proven play-caller.

Jeremy Fowler

The offensive line and wide receiver are still concerns, but New England has made efforts to address both positions. The Patriots haven’t produced a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. For this to work, someone needs to break that streak. A wild card spot seems achievable.

The Arizona Cardinals. The NFC West teams could finish the season in any order and it wouldn’t surprise me. Arizona is in its third year with Jonathan Gannon as head coach and Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, and the fact that they didn’t change any offensive personnel in the offseason indicates they believe they’re on the right track there. Quarterback Kyler Murray is another year removed from his knee injury and has another offseason working in Petzing’s system. So, if it doesn’t work this season, you have to wonder how long ownership will stick with the plan.

Dan Graziano

Defensively, they made some aggressive additions, signing edge rusher Josh Sweat from the Super Bowl champions, using a second-round pick on cornerback Will Johnson (who slipped in the draft due to injury issues) and bringing back the eternal Calais Campbell. It’s time for Arizona to prove they can go beyond being a team that hovers around .500 and fades in December.

Surprise Candidates for Week 1

What unexpected player will make an impact in Week 1 and throughout the season?

It could be Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten. I don’t know how the Jaguars’ running back corps will shake out, and I’m not sure they know yet either. Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are the starters, but the Jags drafted Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen Jr., who is shaping up to be a third-down back, in the seventh. The veterans might get the first opportunity, but the new front office and coaching staff drafted Tuten and Allen and have plans for them.

Dan Graziano

Tuten is the most explosive of the group, a “home run hitter” in the eyes of the Jaguars. If he is able to learn the offense and adapt to the NFL quickly, that explosiveness could lead to greater opportunities sooner rather than later.

I’ll go with 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers’ receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, with Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from last season’s knee injury and Jauan Jennings (calf) possibly needing time to recover after recently returning to the lineup. And the news out of San Francisco is that Pearsall is poised for a second-year leap. The 49ers have been a top-five passing offense during Brock Purdy’s two full seasons as a starting quarterback, so significant yardage opportunities will be there. Kyle Shanahan will make it happen.

Jeremy Fowler

Another player to watch is Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He might be Washington’s RB4 at the moment, but every time I asked someone there about their plans for the backfield, Croskey-Merritt was mentioned frequently. The Commanders have a high opinion of him.

I’m also curious to see what the Browns have planned for third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. A ridiculously productive tight end in college, Fannin was used in a variety of ways at Bowling Green and the Browns say they believe they can deploy him all over the formation. He’s likely to team with David Njoku in the two-tight end formations that coach Kevin Stefanski loves to use. Fannin will likely stay on the field if he proves he can handle the blocking responsibilities. And if he can consistently get open, that will likely earn him more targets from Joe Flacco or whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Browns this season.

Dan Graziano

Here’s a sleeper for you… Cardinals edge rusher Jordan Burch. His name came up multiple times when I asked scouts about Rookie of the Year candidates, so don’t be surprised if the third-round pick makes an early impact. Arizona has some sneaky talent, so it’s up to some of the recent draft picks to show greatness.

Jeremy Fowler

Coaches Who Need a Good Start

What head coach needs a good start in September?

Brian Daboll of the Giants. Any coach with a 19-33-1 record in three seasons could use the early momentum. Ownership has been patient with the Giants’ rebuild, and this was Daboll’s first offseason with a high-level rookie quarterback to develop. Jaxson Dart’s early results are very good, so I’m not labeling September as a win-this-month-or-else scenario.

Jeremy Fowler

But the schedule is difficult. The first four opponents (Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Chargers) won a total of 45 games last season. Setting a tone against that challenge would be helpful. The Giants’ roster has improved and the team has a defensive line good enough to dictate the terms of victory.

The conversation about the “hot seat” in early September is risky, so I’ll start with the disclaimer that I have no inside information that would make me think these guys are in immediate trouble. But given the Bengals’ aspirations and their history of bad starts in September under Zac Taylor, they could use a good start, if only for their own sanity.

Dan Graziano

Sure, a fast start would relieve pressure in Cincinnati. I’d also say Colts coach Shane Steichen fits the mold. Choosing Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson Sr. at quarterback was a bold decision, considering the franchise’s investment in Richardson as the No. 4 pick in 2023. But Steichen believes Jones gives the Colts the best chance to win. Proving that right early would ease the tension.

Jeremy Fowler

One more. This staff gives coaches a lot of runway, but the Cowboys’ hiring of Brian Schottenheimer was widely criticized outside the building. He was well-received inside the building, where Schottenheimer is well-liked and respected. People are excited to see him get his shot. But insofar as the Cowboys care about outside opinions, a Thursday night surprise in Philadelphia and a good start would go a long way toward making the Schottenheimer move look good.

Dan Graziano

Fantasy Tips to Win Your League

What did you hear in the preseason that could help fantasy managers win their leagues?

I’m drafting Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka everywhere I can. The Bucs loved him before they picked in the first round in April, and they’ve come to covet him even more since then. They think he can play any of the wide receiver positions in their offense, which is good because Chris Godwin Jr. still hasn’t returned from the terrible injury that ended last year’s season and Jalen McMillan is out for a while due to a neck injury.

Dan Graziano

Expect the Bucs to use Egbuka in the slot and on the outside as needed. Given how mature and polished they already believe he is as a player, he could receive a lot of targets in one of the best offenses in the league and hold onto a starting position even when Tampa’s receiving corps is back at full strength.

Caption: Daniel Dopp analyzes the possibilities of Emeka Egbuka becoming a top-25 fantasy WR.

Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden should also receive a lot of targets. The Packers’ first-round pick has impressed coaches a lot so far. “Phenomenal,” a Packers source told me about Golden’s presence. “He makes an amazing play every day.” Golden is already listed as a starter and the Packers aren’t hiding their affection for him. It’s not like one of those situations where you hear, “Oh, he’s a rookie, he’s progressing.” It’s, “No, this kid can play.” The Packers will use two-tight end formations often and Romeo Doubs remains a primary option, but Golden’s talent seems undeniable.

Jeremy Fowler

Additionally, Panthers receiver Xavier Legette, a 2024 first-round pick, will be a factor in Carolina. Teammate Jaycee Horn told me that Legette reminds him of A.J. Brown with his combination of physicality and speed.

More Notes for Week 1

What else are you listening to this week?

According to everything I’ve been told this week, I’d be surprised if Parsons didn’t play in some capacity for the Packers against the Lions on Sunday. It’s too early for Parsons to know the entire defense, and he’s probably still not in game shape, as he didn’t practice in training camp. But the Packers should be able to put together a play package that maximizes Parsons’ impact as an edge rusher in key situations, and then continue to increase his workload during the first few weeks of the season.

The Chiefs are very excited about the performance of rookie left tackle Josh Simmons this summer. A person I spoke with mentioned Simmons’ ability to recover mid-play when beaten off the snap. Coaches say he doesn’t make the same mistake twice, and while some growing pains are expected, the Chiefs have a high degree of confidence in their first-round pick’s ability to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. With the 2024 second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, moving inside to play left guard, the Chiefs consider themselves more solid on the offensive line than they were last season, when they ended up having to play veteran guard Joe Thuney at left tackle during the postseason and were exposed against the Eagles in the Super Bowl. An unresolved and underestimated contractual situation to watch is that of Steelers veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. Heyward adjusted his contract last year, and as a result, his 2025 salary of $13.25 million is about half of what the league’s top defensive tackles earn. He has been practicing, but he has also made it clear that he wants a raise. This could be resolved before Sunday’s opening game, and the relationship between the team and their 14-year veteran pillar is strong enough that it’s hard to imagine him missing the game. But as with any player, his leverage only increases if he forces the team to face life without him, especially with rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon set to miss Sunday’s game due to injury. The Steelers could likely resolve this by adding some cash and achievable incentives. Until then, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Caption: J.J. Watt to McAfee: The anticipation is growing around the Steelers.If both offensive coordinators get their way, the Steelers-Jets game could end in under 2 and a half hours. Both teams want to run the ball and keep the other team’s offense off the field. The Steelers are building an offense around a young line and a 41-year-old quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who signed in June. It could take some time for this to come together. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will likely design a conservative game plan against the tough Jets defense to put Rodgers in “no harm” situations in an attempt to steal a road win. As for the Jets, I understand that the offense plans to employ a run-heavy style of play and keep the ball away, relying on running backs Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis, along with quarterback Justin Fields’ running ability. The Jets hope to gain early leads and lean on their strengths. At some point, Fields will have to make plays from the pocket in big third-down situations. If his ability to do that exceeds expectations, the Jets might be able to expand their offense from there. But in the meantime, expect them to run, run, and run some more. We mentioned earlier that the Cardinals’ offense remains largely intact from what it was entering last season. The only new guy is right guard Isaiah Adams, who started the last five games of last season. But there was one key departure that people around the league noticed: offensive line coach Klayton Adams, who was hired as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator. Adams played a big role in designing and implementing the Cardinals’ running game over the last two seasons; only the Ravens and Eagles have run for more yards in that span than Arizona. He also thinks very highly of new offensive line coach Justin Frye, who held the same role for Ohio State last season, but this is Frye’s first NFL job after 18 years as a college assistant. The Cardinals did retain offensive line assistant coach Chris Cook, who came over with Gannon and Petzing in 2023, so there is some continuity. But working with Jeff Saturday for the last half-decade or so has instilled in me the importance of the offensive line coach, so I have half an eye on this situation. Without knowing when Joe Mixon might return from his injury, the Texans are piecing things together at the running back position. They kept five running backs: Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks, and fourth-round rookie Woody Marks. Chubb appears to be the starter for now, but he hasn’t shown the same explosiveness after the injury he had earlier in his career, which could open the door for Pierce or Marks to take on a more significant role. It will be interesting to see how many of these guys are active on game days, as Brooks and Pierce are too valuable on special teams to be inactive. But until someone steps up and shows more than they have so far, expect the Texans to use the running game to set up a passing game that they believe will be more dynamic in C.J. Stroud’s third year than it was in a disappointing 2024 that led to the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Week 1 can create urgency for contract extensions that teams or players delayed over the last four months. That happened in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, when the Bucs agreed on a four-year, $90 million extension with right tackle Luke Goedeke. The Bucs identified Goedeke as a player they’d like to keep long-term, and a recent comparison, the Packers’ Zach Tom at four years, $88 million, informed the right tackle market. With Goedeke extended, here are a handful of candidates I’m watching: Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto, Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Cowboys guard Tyler Smith, Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor.