rTBL Week 1 Preview

The wait is over. The Retro TBL is back, and Week 1 is loaded with fireworks. From heavyweight showdowns to youth vs. veteran clashes, the season kicks off with storylines everywhere. Let’s break it all down.

Atoms vs. Bombers

The Atoms come in led by Justin Herbert tossing bombs to Tyreek Hill – that’s speed plus volume waiting to explode. But the Bombers are locked and loaded with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Justin Jefferson, and Cooper Kupp. That’s four players who can tilt an entire week by themselves. Unless Kyren Williams and Bucky Irving can match Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs in the ground game, the Atoms are staring at a tough opener.
Edge: Bombers. Too much star power and proven scoring history.

QB: Herbert vs. Mahomes  - edge Bombers
RBs: Williams/Irving vs. Barkley/Gibbs - edge Bombers
WRs: Hill/Jeudy/Golden vs. Jefferson/Kupp/Samuel - edge Bombers
TE: Pitts vs. Kelce - edge Bombers
K: Dicker vs. McLaughlin - edge Atoms
DEF: Cardinals vs. Steelers - edge Bombers

Projected Final Score: Bombers 162, Atoms 128

BadM’fers vs. Yinzers

This is strength on strength. BadM’fers roll out Aaron Rodgers and a three-headed RB monster – Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and James Conner – giving them the best RB corps in the league. Yinzers counter with Austin Ekeler and a loaded WR trio in Amon-Ra St. Brown, George Pickens, and Jakobi Meyers. The X-factor? Rodgers’ arm against Jordan Love’s variance.
Edge: BadM’fers. Veteran backs carry the load Week 1.

QB: Rodgers vs. Love - edge BadM’fers
RBs: McCaffrey/Kamara/Conner vs. Ekeler/Chubb/Najee - edge BadM’fers
WRs: Allen/Evans vs. St. Brown/Pickens/Meyers - edge Yinzers
TE: Fannin Jr. vs. Njoku - edge Yinzers
K: Lutz vs. Reichard - edge Even
DEF: Patriots vs. Rams - edge BadM’fers

Projected Final Score: BadM’fers 148, Yinzers 137

Bulls vs. Believers

The Bulls bring Brock Purdy at the controls with CeeDee Lamb and Tee Higgins as his top targets – safe, steady, and efficient. The Believers fire back with Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability and a stable of RBs in Breece Hall, David Montgomery, and Jerome Ford. This one comes down to Lamar’s ceiling versus Purdy’s stability.
Edge: Believers. Lamar’s rushing upside gives them the Week 1 advantage.

QB: Purdy vs. Jackson - edge Believers
RBs: Hubbard/Jeanty vs. Hall/Montgomery/Ford - edge Believers
WRs: Lamb/Higgins/McConkey vs. Kirk/London - edge Bulls
TE: Ferguson vs. Kincaid - edge Believers
K: Santos vs. Elliott - edge Believers
DEF: Jaguars vs. Chargers - edge Even

Projected Final Score: Believers 145, Bulls 133

MadDawgz vs. Lions

The Dawgz have a stacked passing game with Joe Burrow throwing to Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Malik Nabers – three WRs who could each go for 100+ and a TD. The Lions rely on Bijan Robinson and Joe Mixon to pound the rock, with Chris Olave providing the WR spark. Baker Mayfield’s volatility is a concern against Burrow’s consistency.
Edge: MadDawgz. Too much firepower through the air.

QB: Burrow vs. Mayfield - edge Dawgz
RBs: Jones vs. Robinson/Mixon - edge Lions
WRs: Chase/Smith/Nabers/JSN vs. Olave/Rice/Aiyuk/Mims - edge Dawgz
TE: Kraft vs. Hockenson/McBride - edge Lions
K: Boswell vs. Fairbairn - edge Even
DEF: Broncos vs. 49ers - edge Lions

Projected Final Score: MadDawgz 151, Lions 138

Rebels vs. Condors

This looks like a mismatch on paper. Rebels trot out Josh Allen, Josh Jacobs, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, and Sam LaPorta – a murderers’ row of established fantasy studs. The Condors counter with CJ Stroud and a youth-heavy lineup of Jaylen Warren, Zay Flowers, and Xavier Worthy. The future is bright for Condors, but the present is Rebels.
Edge: Rebels. Veteran dominance early and often.

QB: Allen vs. Stroud - edge Rebels
RBs: Jacobs/Achane vs. Warren/Hampton - edge Rebels
WRs: Metcalf/McLaurin/Williams vs. Flowers/Worthy/Pearsall - edge Rebels
TE: LaPorta vs. Warren - edge Rebels
K: Bates vs. Loop - edge Even
DEF: Lions vs. Chiefs - edge Even

Projected Final Score: Rebels 168, Condors 121

Terrors vs. Mudhawx

Maybe the most fun matchup of the week. Terrors bring Trevor Lawrence, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Davante Adams, and Garrett Wilson – four proven studs. Mudhawx counter with Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., and Jaylen Waddle – a youth explosion waiting to pop. Can the kids steal one from the vets?
Edge: Terrors. The vets hold off the youth movement… for now.

QB: Lawrence vs. Daniels - edge Terrors
RBs: Henry/Taylor/Swift vs. Williams/Brown - edge Terrors
WRs: Adams/Wilson vs. Waddle/Harrison Jr./Thomas Jr. - edge Mudhawx
TE: Kittle vs. Bowers - edge Even
K: McManus vs. Aubrey - edge Even
DEF: Buccaneers vs. Vikings - edge Even

Projected Final Score: Terrors 154, Mudhawx 141

Jackrabbits vs. Juggernauts

This one has “shootout” written all over it. Jackrabbits are led by Jalen Hurts, plus breakout WRs Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, and Courtland Sutton. The Juggernauts counter with Bryce Young, A.J. Brown, James Cook, and Mark Andrews – a balanced attack with plenty of upside. Hurts’ rushing and goal-line dominance may be the difference-maker here.
Edge: Jackrabbits. Hurts’ rushing floor gives them the edge.

QB: Hurts vs. Young - edge Jackrabbits
RBs: Charbonnet vs. Cook/Walker/Bigsby - edge Juggernauts
WRs: Nacua/Collins/Sutton/Egbuka vs. Brown + depth  - edge Jackrabbits
TE: Henry vs. Andrews - edge Juggernauts
K: Bass vs. Carlson - edge Even
DEF: Dolphins vs. Eagles - edge Juggernauts

Projected Final Score: Jackrabbits 147, Juggernauts 143

Week 1 Game of the Week:

Terrors vs. Mudhawx – A classic clash of eras. Can Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., and the Mudhawx’s explosive youth topple Derrick Henry, Davante Adams, and the seasoned Terrors?