Week 1 Fantasy Flames Quarterback: Caleb Williams vs. Titans

Week 1 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
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Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.

Caleb Williams, Bears

Start pct.25% on YahooMatchupvs. TitansBetMGM lineBears -4.5BetMGM total45.5BetAlytics projection
231.1 pass yds, 1.5 pass TD, 0.45 INT

Enough with the hot takes, endless projections and speculation. It’s time for some real football.

It’s time for Caleb Williams to shine.

In Williams, the Bears finally have a quarterback who can make high-velocity throws all over the field. His dazzling off-platform strikes in the preseason were merely a warm-up act.

Equipped with an arm that finished No. 15 in adjusted completion percentage among FBS passers last year and surrounded by one of the best receiving arsenals in the NFL, the No. 1 overall pick should instantly deliver. Tennessee’s secondary — featuring L'Jarius Sneed (‘23: 56.6 passer rating allowed), Roger McCreary (87.3) and Chidobe Awuzie (112.8) — is a perceived strength, but the Titans’ safety corps is exploitable.

Whether spinning frozen ropes while standing tall in the pocket or dispensing laser beams on the move, Williams has the skill set and weaponry to stoke the hype. His unscripted run potential only raises the possible payoff.

A QB1 finish in 12-team leagues to begin his NFL career isn’t the Malort talking. Unfamiliar? Unless you’re into tasting decomposing squirrel flesh, drinking the beverage isn’t recommended.

Get excited, Bears fans. But make sure the moth herb collects dust in your liquor cabinet.

Fearless Forecast: 262 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 19 rushing yards, 22.0 fantasy points.

Week 1 Bonus Flame: Sam Darnold, Vikings

Start pct.2% on YahooMatchupat Giants

Yes, we’re chasing a straight on the river with this suggestion, but the former “future” of the Jets organization has sound odds of torching the other Big Apple representative in his regular-season Vikings debut. Giants DBs Deonte Banks (84.7 passer rating allowed), Adoree Jackson (98.3) and Andru Phillips (rookie) are strong contenders in the race to the bottom among NFL secondaries. In what could be a war of ineptness, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make Darnold’s return to New York a triumphant one. Debate his services heavily, SuperFlex fans.

Fearless Forecast: 249 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 9 rushing yards, 20.3 fantasy points.

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