NFL Week 1 Red Zone Report for Fantasy Football
The single highest reward play in the NFL is the touchdown. It’s the goal every time an offense steps onto the field, pay dirt and six points.
This hugely impactful play is also what we chase in fantasy. When an offense is in the Red Zone (inside the 20-yard line), we’re on the edge of our seats, praying that a player we rostered is the one to bring it home, instantly making your decision to start him worthwhile. NFL Network has created an entire channel to feed our desires of seeing every Red Zone play. But, the only way to score is to be on the field and get your name called in the red zone. It’s been mathematically proven that touches in the red zone hold more value than anywhere else on the field. After Week 1, we can go through team by team to see what offenses and players are worth picking up this week, in the hopes that they cash in in the future. It doesn’t even matter if they scored, we’re chasing opportunity, and the closer to the end zone, the better. We’ll update this frequently, taking note of who’s consistently getting red-zone touches, and follow me on Twitter @FntsyGold and The Fantasy Headliners at @FntsyHeadliners to get other updates and articles.
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense struggled early in their game against the Detroit Lions, failing to cross mid-field until two minutes left in the second quarter, where Arizona’s special teams recovered a muffed punt in the red zone and settled for a field goal. In the fourth quarter and overtime, however, the Cardinals found their flow and marched into the red zone four times, scoring twice, and kicking two more field goals.
David Johnson was the only RB to rush the ball in the red zone, mustering three attempts, and zero within five yards. He also saw one target in the end zone, which he pulled down.
Christian Kirk was targeted three times, twice in the end zone. KeeSean Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald were targeted twice, and Fitzgerald scored. Maxx Williams and Damiere Byrd each saw one red-zone target.
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
David Johnson: 3 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Christian Kirk: 3 (2)
KeeSean Johnson: 2 (1)
Larry Fitzgerald: 2 (1)
David Johnson: 1 (1)
Damiere Byrd: 1 (0)
Maxx Williams: 1 (0)
Atlanta Falcons
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Ito Smith: 1 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Julio Jones: 4 (1)
Calvin Ridley: 2 (1)
Luke Stocker: 1 (1)
Devonta Freeman: 1 (0)
Justin Hardy: 1 (0)
Russell Gage: 1 (0)
Baltimore Ravens
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Gus Edwards: 7 (3)
Mark Ingram: 5 (2)
Justice Hill: 2 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Willie Snead: 2 (1)
Mark Andrews: 2 (0)
Miles Boykin: 1 (1)
Patrick Ricard: 1 (1)
Marquise Brown: 1 (0)
Andrews, Snead, Boykin, and Picard each scored a touchdown in the red zone, while Ingram cashed in both carries from within the 5-yard line, in a 59 point game from Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Devin Singletary: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
John Brown: 3 (2)
Zay Jones: 1 (0)
John Brown’s touchdown came in the red zone.
Carolina Panthers (Week 1)
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Christian McCaffrey: 4 (2)
Alex Armah: 1 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Christian McCaffrey: 1 (0)
D.J. Moore: 1 (0)
McCaffrey scored two rushing touchdowns, and Armah punched one in as well.
Chicago Bears
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
N/A
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Allen Robinson: 2 (1)
Adam Shaheen: 1 (0)
Mike Davis: 1 (0)
Tarik Cohen: 1 (0)
Cordarrelle Patterson: 1 (0)
Bears struggled to reach the red zone and never scored.
Cincinnati Bengals
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Joe Mixon: 2 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
John Ross: 4 (0)
Tyler Boyd: 2 (0)
Giovani Bernard: 1 (0)
Alex Erickson: 1 (0)
John Ross caught three of his four targets and scored twice.
Cleveland Browns
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Dontrell Hilliard: 1 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
David Njoku: 1 (1)
Rashard Higgins: 1 (0)
Jarvis Landry: 1 (0)
The Browns struggled on Sunday, but Njoku was able to score on his sole red zone target, and Hilliard punched his in.
Dallas Cowboys
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Ezekiel Elliott: 3 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Amari Cooper: 2 (1)
Jason Witten: 2 (0)
Randall Cobb: 2 (0)
Blake Jarwin: 1 (0)
Ezekiel Elliott: 1 (0)
Jamize Olawale: 1 (0)
Witten, Cooper, Cobb, and Jarwin each caught a touchdown on a very efficient day by Dak Prescott, and Elliott added a rushing TD.
Denver Broncos
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Phillip Lindsay: 3 (0)
Royce Freeman: 2 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Emmanuel Sanders: 3 (2)
Courtland Sutton: 3 (0)
DaeSean Hamilton: 1 (1)
Lindsay and Freeman split carries all night, but neither got a touch on the goal line. Sanders scored on one of his end zone targets, and Hamilton should’ve scored, but dropped an easy
touchdown.
Detroit Lions
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
C.J. Anderson: 2 (0)
Kerryon Johnson: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Kenny Golladay: 4 (1)
T.J. Hockenson: 3 (1)
Marvin Jones: 1 (0)
Golladay and Hockenson scored a touchdown each.
Green Bay Packers
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
N/A
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Jimmy Graham: 3 (2)
Davante Adams: 1 (0)
Graham caught one touchdown in the end zone.
Houston Texans
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Carlos Hyde: 1 (0)
Duke Johnson: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
DeAndre Hopkins: 3 (1)
Duke Johnson: 2 (0)
Kenny Stills: 1 (0)
Hopkins balled out in Week 1, with eight catches, scoring on two of them. Stills also caught a touchdown which gave the Texans the lead with less than a minute left before Drew Brees worked his magic and Will Lutz kicked a game winning field goal.
Indianapolis Colts
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Marlon Mack: 4 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
T.Y. Hilton: 4 (1)
Eric Ebron: 1 (1)
Devin Funchess: 1 (1)
Jack Doyle: 1 (0)
Parris Campbell: 1 (0)
Mo Alie-Cox: 1 (0)
Hilton scored twice, catching one in the end zone, and scoring another on an incredible play to tie the game in the 4th quarter.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
N/A
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
D.J. Chark: 1 (1)
Dede Westbrook: 1 (0)
Chris Conley: 1 (0)
Geoff Swaim: 1 (0)
James O’Shaughnessy: 1 (0)
Chark caught a touchdown from Nick Foles, who suffered a broken collarbone and is out for at least eight weeks. Westbrook and Conley both scored with backup Gardner Minshew.
Kansas City Chiefs
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Damien Williams: 4 (1)
LeSean McCoy: 1 (0)
Tyreek Hill: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Sammy Watkins: 4 (1)
Travis Kelce: 3 (3)
Damien Williams: 3 (0)
Demarcus Robinson: 2 (0)
Mecole Hardman: 1 (0)
Watkins and Williams both scored a touchdown in the red zone on Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Austin Ekeler: 2 (0)
Justin Jackson: 2 (0)
Derek Watt: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Keenan Allen: 5 (2)
Austin Ekeler: 1 (1)
Justin Jackson: 1 (1)
Dontrelle Inman: 1 (0)
Ekeler scored two touchdowns in the red zone, one rushing and one receiving, as well as another touchdown on a 55-yard reception in the 3rd quarter. Allen also hauled in four of his five red-zone targets, one for a touchdown
Los Angeles Rams
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Malcolm Brown: 5 (2)
Darrell Henderson: 2 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Robert Woods: 4 (0)
Tyler Higbee: 2 (0)
Cooper Kupp: 1 (0)
Brandin Cooks: 1 (0)
Brown broke out this week and scored on both carries inside the 5-yard line. All three LA WRs got targeted in the red zone, but it was Higbee that scored.
Miami Dolphins
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
N/A
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Preston Williams: 4 (2)
Devante Parker: 1 (1)
Allen Hurns: 1 (0)
Dolphins had a hard time scoring on Sunday, but Williams was able to pull down three of his targets, one for a touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Dalvin Cook: 3 (1)
Alexander Mattison: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Adam Thielen: 1 (0)
Cook had two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, and Thielen caught one as well, as the Vikings beat the Falcons 28-12.
New England Patriots
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Rex Burkhead: 3 (0)
Sony Michel: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Philip Dorsett: 2 (1)
Julian Edelman: 2 (0)
James White: 2 (0)
Josh Gordon: 1 (0)
Rex Burkhead: 1 (0)
Dorsett scored two touchdowns, but will likely see fewer snaps once Antonio Brown joins the team. Gordon also caught an incredible touchdown.
New Orleans Saints
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Alvin Kamara: 1 (0)
Latavius Murray: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Alvin Kamara: 2 (0)
Tre’Quan Smith: 1 (1)
Jared Cook: 1 (0)
Latavius Murray: 1 (0)
Josh Hill: 1 (0)
Kamara has historically been very efficient in the red zone, but didn’t find the end zone tonight. Smith caught his end zone target for a touchdown.
New York Giants
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Saquon Barkley: 4 (1)
Wayne Gallman: 1 (1)
Elijhaa Penny: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Sterling Shepard: 2 (1)
Cody Latimer: 2 (1)
Evan Engram: 2 (1)
Bennie Fowler: 1 (0)
Wayne Gallman: 1 (0)
Rhett Ellison: 1 (0)
The reaction on Twitter was hilarious when Gallman “vultured” a touchdown, but Barkley got the majority of touches in the red zone. Engram caught his end zone target also.
New York Jets
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Le’Veon Bell: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Le’Veon Bell: 2 (0)
Robby Anderson: 1 (1)
Jamison Crowder: 1 (0)
The only touchdown on the day for the Jets offense came on a Bell reception.
Oakland Raiders
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Josh Jacobs: 8 (2)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Tyrell Williams: 2 (1)
Hunter Renfrow: 1 (0)
Ryan Grant: 1 (0)
Darren Waller: 1 (0)
Whoever drafted Jacobs should be very happy with the usage we saw Monday night, as he led the league in red zone touches and scored on both touches inside the 5-yard line. The Raiders had the lead all night, so it’s yet to be seen how often Jacobs is on the field in a negative gamescript, but he looked good. Williams also caught a TD.
Philadelphia Eagles
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Miles Sanders: 2 (2)
Alshon Jeffery: 1 (1)
Darren Sproles: 1 (0)
Jordan Howard: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
DeSean Jackson: 2 (1)
Alshon Jeffery: 1 (1)
Zach Ertz: 1 (0)
Jordan Howard: 1 (0)
Darren Sproles: 1 (0)
Jackson and Jeffery had two touchdowns each in the Eagles come from behind victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
James Conner: 1 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
James Washington: 3 (1)
Donte Moncrief: 2 (2)
Vance McDonald: 2 (0)
Diontae Johnson: 1 (0)
Johnny Holton: 1 (0)
Steelers were unable to score a touchdown in their 33-3 loss to the Patriots.
San Francisco 49ers
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Tevin Coleman: 1 (0)
Raheem Mostert: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
George Kittle: 1 (1)
Richie James: 1 (0)
Kendrick Bourne: 1 (0)
San Francisco’s defense scored two touchdowns, so the offense was not seen in the red zone very often. James caught a touchdown, and Kittle caught two touchdowns, that were called back for penalty.
Seattle Seahawks
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Chris Carson: 4 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
D.K. Metcalf: 1 (1)
Chris Carson: 1 (0)
Tyler Lockett: 1 (0)
Carson got all the red zone carries and scored twice. Lockett only saw two targets all day but scored on a 44-yard pass.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 1)
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Ronald Jones: 3 (0)
Peyton Barber: 1 (0)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Chris Godwin: 2 (2)
O.J. Howard: 2 (0)
Breshad Perriman: 1 (0)
Mike Evans: 1 (0)
Dare Ogunbowale: 1 (0)
Cameron Brate: 1 (0)
Chris Godwin caught one of his two targets, for a touchdown.
Tennessee Titans
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
Derrick Henry: 4 (1)
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Delanie Walker: 2 (0)
A.J. Brown: 1 (0)
Henry got all the touches that those who drafted him were hoping for, and scored once. Walker had an incredible 100% TD rate in the red zone, scoring twice. Brown out-targeted Corey Davis and will be a top waiver wire add this week.
Washington Redskins
Red Zone Carries (Inside 5):
N/A
Red Zone Targets (End Zone):
Trey Quinn: 2 (2)
Paul Richardson: 1 (1)
Chris Thompson: 1 (0)
Kelvin Harmon: 1 (0)
Quinn caught one of his two end zone targets for a touchdown.