Enter the Dragons
The Merry Men opened their pursuit of a third straight championship with a convincing win, but it was the Dragons who made the biggest statement in Week 1. With expectations high entering 2026, the NFC favorites wasted little time showing why, rolling past the Boys 79–41 behind a dominant performance from their backfield.
QB Trevor Lawrence led the way with 24 points, while RBs D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker III combined for 40. Rookie Jeremiyah Love chipped in eight in his debut. Perhaps most impressive, the Dragons posted the week’s highest total without a single point from WRs A.J. Brown and Ja’Marr Chase. For the rest of the NFC, that is a concerning thought.
Meanwhile, the defending champions picked up where they left off. After carrying the Merry Men through a historic postseason, QB Brock Purdy delivered 18 points in a 63–46 victory over the Thugs. Bijan Robinson added 12 as seven starters contributed to a balanced effort. The Thugs received 16 from Justin Jefferson, but could not keep pace with the champs’ depth. The three-peat bid is officially underway.
Last year’s runners-up also had something to prove. Facing a Brothers team expected to control the NFC West, the Huskers earned a hard-fought 53–49 victory behind Jaxson Dart’s 20 points and Ashton Jeanty’s 16. The Brothers got two touchdowns apiece from Javonte Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but quiet outings from Christian McCaffrey and Sam LaPorta proved costly. After coming so close last December, the Huskers appear determined to remain part of the conversation.
The AFC East delivered on its promise of a competitive race. Josh Allen piled up 28 points as the Refugees knocked off the Orangutangs 71–57, overcoming an 18-point effort from reigning YFFL MVP Jahmyr Gibbs. Chuba Hubbard and Evan McPherson combined for another 29, giving Allen plenty of support in an important opening win.
The Llamas joined them in the win column, beating the Poop 68–54 behind Caleb Williams’ 26 points and a combined 26 from Isaiah Likely and Zay Flowers. Flowers’ big afternoon came with a scare, however, as a hamstring injury cut short his NFL opener. He is considered day to day, giving the Llamas an early injury concern after an otherwise encouraging start.
Elsewhere, Derrick Henry’s 24 points helped the Buddies salvage a 50–50 tie with the Eaters. David Montgomery scored three touchdowns to lead the Mallards past the White Guys 55–32, while the Chickens needed points from just three starters to dispatch the Beans 32–18.
There is a long way to go before the championship picture takes shape, but the opening week mirrored what many owners and GMs predicted: the Merry Men remain the team to beat, and the Dragons look ready to give chase.