The NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, starting with a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Fantasy football managers are encouraged to start their top-tier players—or studs—as sidelining key players is only advisable if injuries prevent participation. For the early week games on Wednesday and Thursday nights, it’s particularly important not to place these studs in flex positions where they might underperform or be overshadowed.

In the Patriots-Seahawks matchup, wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and A.J. Brown stand out as fantasy studs due to their strong positional rankings and anticipated impact, while running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie Jadarian Price are considered less favorable due to matchup challenges and Seattle’s depleted offensive lineup. The Patriots have strengthened their roster with key acquisitions such as Alijah Vera-Tucker and defensive stalwarts Dre’Mont Jones and Kevin Byard, while the Seahawks face significant losses including veteran defensive players and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, raising doubts about their offensive effectiveness.

The Thursday night game in Melbourne, Australia, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams features fantasy studs like wide receiver Puka Nuka and running back Christian McCaffrey, with receiver Mike Evans flagged as a dud for the week given the challenging Rams defense. The Rams are heavily favored in this contest following their bolstered defense with the return of Aaron Donald and addition of Myles Garrett, both elite pass rushers expected to pressure 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who manages pressure well but may lean heavily on quick dump-offs to avoid sacks.

Ultimately, with three players selected in the top five of their positions and another in the top ten among the four teams featured, fantasy managers should confidently start their key players. The NFL’s early week schedule—with games on Wednesday and Thursday—makes it crucial to strategically manage lineup slots, keeping studs out of flex positions in these initial games. The 2026 campaign has officially arrived, bringing fresh opportunities to dominate fantasy leagues right from Week 1.