Week 1 of the NFL 2026 season brought an unexpected surge in scoring, highlighted by the Chicago Bears' historic 59-point victory over the Carolina Panthers. This kickoff set a record for the highest-scoring Week 1 game ever. Despite this offensive explosion, sportsbooks expect a more restrained scoring pace in Week 2. However, several games still show strong potential for high point totals, including matchups like the Washington Commanders versus Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings against Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints facing Baltimore Ravens. Additionally, games such as Jacksonville Jaguars versus Denver Broncos and the Panthers at Falcons, where Bryce Young usually shines, could turn into exciting shootouts.

The article reflects on the top performances from Week 1 on DraftKings, pointing out lineups that excelled through both correlated stacks and distinctive high-ceiling individual plays. Players like Jalen Love, Javonte Gibbs, and Dallas Swift delivered impressive numbers while many successful picks were under 10% owned, highlighting the unpredictable nature of DFS contests. Some winning lineups leveraged key game environments with QB-WR and RB-WR correlations, especially in high-scoring games, providing insights for Week 2 DraftKings strategies.

For the upcoming slate, recommended stacking targets include the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings to exploit reported defensive weaknesses, such as the Commanders’ and Bears’ pressure rates. Key stack combinations feature quarterback Dak Prescott with wide receivers and running backs from the Cowboys, and Carson Wentz pairing with Vikings receivers including Justin Jefferson. Meanwhile, contrarian one-off plays highlight Bryce Young against the Falcons due to his strong historical performances in Atlanta, and Geno Smith facing a Jets defense known for heavy blitzing. These selections aim to capitalize on potential high-volume passing attacks and mismatches in Week 2.

The article stresses the importance of monitoring last-minute variables like player injuries and weather conditions, which could significantly impact game strategies and fantasy outcomes. Early momentum from Week 1 puts a spotlight on emerging players and defensive trends to watch. Fantasy football enthusiasts are encouraged to use these stack and contrarian recommendations thoughtfully while staying adaptable to the evolving NFL landscape for the second week of 2026.