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        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        Joe Burrow Has Another Uninspiring Opener

        By Jody Smith | Updated on Sun, Sep 7 2025 11:56 PM UTC
        Joe Burrow Headshot

        The infamous slow start out of the gate for Joe Burrow manifested itself again to open the 2025 season. Burrow was held to a lowly 113 passing yards and one touchdown in Cincinnati's 17-16 win in Cleveland. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were held to a combined 5 receptions for 59 yards in an ugly day at the office for Cincinnati's offense.

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        Burrow has a history of struggling early in new seasons, but there was hope that extended preseason reps and being fully healthy would alleviate the sluggish start. 

        It did not.

        Burrow's 113 passing yards were his lowest in a full game since he was held to a paltry 82 passing yards in the season-opener of the 2023 campaign. Coincidentally, that also happened to come against the Browns.

        Cleveland's defense deserves credit for creating a ton of pressure against Cincinnati's anemic offensive line.

        The Bengals only mounted 7 yards of offense in the second half. Per ESPN, that's the fewest yards of offense for a winning team in a half in at least the last 25 years.

        Cleveland out-gained Cincinnati 327-141 but it was the Bengals who won the turnover battle 2-0, and the game.

        Burrow should bounce back next week as the Bengals make their home debut against a Jacksonville defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs last season. 

        Jody Smith Author Image
        Jody Smith, Analyst
        Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.
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