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Cynthia Frelund's Week 1 fantasy projections

My projections are based on historical trends, personnel, matchups and probable game scripts. Yes, it could be considered overkill to use 10 full years of past actual and comparable data to forecast each week, but why wouldn't you want to at least try to be as accurate as possible? I know I can't find a reason not to.

Cynthia Frelund

NFL Network Analytics Expert

1 / 18

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

282 pass yards, 3 TD; 14 rush yards

Margaret Bowles/Associated Press

2 / 18

2. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks

237 pass yards, 2 TD; 44 rush yards

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

3 / 18

3. Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans

243 pass yards, 2 TD; 28 rush yards

Roger Steinman/Associated Press

4 / 18

4. Drew Brees, QB, Saints

274 pass yards, 2 TD

Peter Read Miller/Associated Press

5 / 18

5. Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles

272 pass yards, 2 TD

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

6 / 18

Upside: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions

269 pass yards, 2 TD

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

7 / 18

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers

118 scrimmage yards, TD; 6 receptions

James Patterson/Associated Press

8 / 18

2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants

112 scrimmage yards. TD; 5 receptions

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

9 / 18

3. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys

116 scrimmage yards, TD; 4 receptions

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

10 / 18

4. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

105 scrimmage yards, TD; 5 receptions

Ryan Kang/NFL

11 / 18

5. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Jets

104 scrimmage yards, TD; 4 receptions

Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press

12 / 18

Upside: Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers

91 scrimmage yards, TD; 4 receptions

Gregory Trott/Associated Press

13 / 18

1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans

7 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

14 / 18

2. Michael Thomas, WR, Saints

7 receptions, 80 yards, TD

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

15 / 18

3. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons

6 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Tom DiPace/Associated Press

16 / 18

4. Odell Beckham Jr., RB, Browns

6 receptions, 77 yards, TD

Al Tielemans/Associated Press

17 / 18

5. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers

6 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Mark LoMoglio/Associated Press

18 / 18

Upside: Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars

5 receptions, 50 yards, TD

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

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