Need help setting up your fantasy football lineups? Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is a comprehensive look at the best and worst matchups of the week for fantasy football leagues. I won’t be covering elite players like Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts, because you already know where to start! Instead, I’ll be examining other quarterbacks who may or may not meet expectations based on their weekly opponent… like Baker Mayfield in Week 1!
For final lineup decisions, be sure to also check out my fantasy player rankings which will be updated daily! Also, subscribe to Fantasy Dirt with Lindsay Rhodes and I, as we discuss all things fantasy football five days a week!
And when you’re done with the quarterbacks, be sure to check out my picks for the starting, backup players at their respective positions: RB | WR | TE | K & D/ST
1. Josh Allen at Dolphins (Thursday)
2. Jalen Hurts vs. Falcons (Sen.)
3. Lamar Jackson vs. Raiders
4. Anthony Richardson at the Packers
5. Patrick Mahomes against the Bengals
6. Dak Prescott vs. Saints
7. Jayden Daniels against the Giants
8. CJ Stroud vs. Bears
9. Kyler Murray vs. Rams
10. Jared Goff vs. Buccaneers
Complete Week 2 quarterback rankings can be found here.
Early Week
Dak Prescott vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dak Prescott got his bag last week (oh man, he got it), but his 11.5 points against the Cleveland Browns left fantasy managers wanting more. I expect you to get more from him in the Dallas Cowboys’ home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Last season, Prescott averaged nearly 25 fantasy points per game in Jerry World. Vegas has the total at 45, so I expect plenty of points to be scored in this NFC matchup in Dallas.
Get Them Started
CJ Stroud vs. Bears (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): CJ Stroud was solid against the Indianapolis Colts, scoring 18.7 fantasy points with an Expected Points Added (EPA) of +6.8. This week he faces the Chicago Bears, who allowed over 20 points per game to home quarterbacks last year. Stroud was also a star at NRG Stadium, averaging 21.8 points per game as a rookie. Vegas has the total at 45.5, and I expect the Houston Texans to produce plenty of those points.
Kyler Murray vs. Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Kyler Murray’s 14.2 fantasy points in the opener wasn’t what managers were hoping for, but I think he’ll bounce back at home against the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, their defense allowed an average of over 19 fantasy points per game to home quarterbacks. Murray has also had success against this NFC West opponent, as he’s beaten the Rams by at least 17 points in two of their last three meetings.
Jayden Daniels vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Jayden Daniels was fantastic in fantasy leagues in his NFL debut, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns to finish with 28.2 points. He’s also a solid pick this week, as the rookie faces a New York Giants defense that allowed an average of over 20 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks on the road last season. Until further notice (or unless you have a great player), Daniels should be in the starting lineup.
Matthew Stafford at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards in last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions, but he’s only scoring 14.7 fantasy points. I expect him to play better in Week 2, as the veteran will be heading on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. In their last eight home games, Arizona’s defense has allowed an average of 21.1 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. In a game with a total of 49.5 points, I want Stafford to be at his best.
QB with Good Matchup
• Brock Purdy at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Justin Herbert at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Kirk Cousins at Eagles (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Sitting This Week
Joe Burrow at Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I’m not calling Burrow a “must miss” player this week, but I think there’s reason to be concerned. He’s averaging just 14.6 fantasy points in his last six games, including a Week 1 upset loss to the New England Patriots by 8.1 points. The Kansas City Chiefs are also allowing just 181.4 passing yards in their last 10 home games, so Burrow’s matchup isn’t a great one. Watch out for Joe Cool this week.
Sit down
Aaron Rodgers at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Aaron Rodgers returned to action on Monday night, and his performance was anything but spectacular. In fact, he threw for just 1 touchdown and just 8.6 fantasy points. He’s now averaging 13 points in his last 19 regular-season games. That’s not good. Next up is a road game against the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed an average of less than 15 fantasy points per game to visiting quarterbacks since 2023.
Deshaun Watson on Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Deshaun Watson was a disaster against Dallas, throwing for 169 yards, scoring just 10.7 points, and ranking fourth from the bottom in EPA among all quarterbacks. Unless you’re in a super flex league, I’d take Watson off the board when the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars. In their last nine home games, their defense has allowed an average of less than 16 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Watch out for Watson.
Derek Carr at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Derek Carr was one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1, throwing three touchdown passes and scoring 21.3 points. However, I wouldn’t go after that performance, as Carr will face a much tougher opponent in Dallas. In their last eight home games, the Cowboys defense has allowed just eight touchdown passes and is averaging 13.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Geno Smith at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Geno Smith was among the top 12 quarterbacks in Week 1, scoring 17.8 fantasy points. However, I’ll still sit him out this week as he heads to New England. The Patriots defense, which held Burrow to single digits last week, has held opposing quarterbacks to an average of just 13 points in their last nine games at Gillette Stadium. The total is also just 38, so don’t expect many points.
QB with Bad Matchup
• Caleb Williams at Texans (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Sam Darnold vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Gardner Minshew at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Now that you’re set up in this position, make sure you know all the best options for starting and sitting in other positions as well:
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