NFL Weekly Preview Week 1 2025: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

Jayden Daniels (YouTube)

We begin the 2025 NFL regular season on Thursday. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon of Oakley, California is dealing with a foot/ankle problem, and will be out long term. To replace Mixon, the Texans have signed Nick Chubb of Cedartown, Georgia to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. Chubb was with the Cleveland Browns the last seven years.

The New Orleans Saints will be without their two top tight ends to start the year. Taysom Hill of Pocatello, Idaho is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament from the end of last season, and Foster Moreau of New Orleans, Louisiana is out with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is out with a hip injury.

Difference Makers

The top quarterback of the week is Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. The native of San Bernardino, California is projected to have 223 yards passing, 53 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Giants on Sunday. The top wide receiver is CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys. The native of Opelousas, Louisiana is projected to get nine catches for 97 receiving yards and one touchdown in the NFL season opener tonight in Philadelphia. The top running back is Saquon Barkley of The Bronx, New York. He is projected to get 105 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving and one touchdown tonight for the Eagles against the Cowboys.

Projected Upsets

I am projecting seven underdogs to win in Week One. They are the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings.