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A.J. Brown Sees One Late Target in Eagles’ Week 1 Win

Philadelphia’s star receiver A.J. Brown registered just one target in the Eagles’ Week 1 season opener, finally catching it late in the fourth quarter for an eight-yard gain. He played the vast majority of offensive snaps, but his lone catch came with just under two minutes remaining.

A.J. Brown’s limited involvement was striking. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw only 23 passes, leaning heavily on the running game. Third-wide receiver Jahan Dotson led the team in receiving, hauling in all three targets for 59 yards, including a key 51-yard reception in the second quarter. Running back Saquon Barkley saw five targets caught, adding to his impact alongside his rushing workload.

Brown’s quiet night followed last season’s pattern, when he often served as a decoy rather than a featured target. That appeared to continue in a game designed to emphasize ground control and clock management. He looked covered closely when given opportunities and rarely flashed separation, suggesting the play design called on him in more indirect ways.

Fantasy Spin

For fantasy managers, this was a rough opening. Brown is accustomed to more involvement and productivity, so beginning the season with just an eight-yard reception is discouraging. Yet, his elite talent and history of producing make it unlikely that this carries over.

Don’t panic. It’s a long season. There were a lot of factors at play here. This was Kevin Patullo, the Eagles’ new offensive coordinators first game. This was also Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’s first game, and despite not having Micah Parsons, they played hard. It’s hard to scheme for a defense that you have no film on.

The Eagles’ offensive strategy on Thursday night was deliberate. Hurts balanced short passes with runs, finishing 19 of 23 for 152 yards and rushing effectively for two touchdowns, contributing 62 rushing yards. That ball-control game plan limited the need for heavy passing and reduced receiver opportunities.

Looking ahead, Philadelphia faces a Week 2 rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch scenario. If the game script shifts toward more passing, Brown’s involvement could tick upward. His ability to stretch the field remains critical in creating space, and the team may adjust to get him more touches if needed.

Dotson’s emergence as a deep threat and target-getter is a positive sign. Through limited action last year, he showed promise, and this opener confirmed he can deliver when called upon. Barkley’s dual usage as a runner and receiver again underscores how balanced the offense is built.

DeVonta Smith also saw some work, but neither he nor Brown logged notable numbers. Brown’s lone catch helped convert a late third-and-three, showing that even limited involvement can still matter in key moments.

While fans may cringe at the stat line, the bigger picture includes a victory under challenging conditions. The Eagles managed an efficient opener that armored them against penalties and turnover threats, even in content-light receiver production.

For Brown, the key will be reestablishing himself quickly. His ceiling is high, and a return to regular targets could begin as early as Week 2 if the offense leans into tempo and spacing. For now, his fantasy owners remain in wait-and-see mode, hoping that one target was an outlier, not a trend.