Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Calvin Austin III

Friday, October 24, 6:16 PM

Andy Dalton is making his first start of the 2025 season for the Carolina Panthers. Regular starter Bryce Young is listed as doubtful to start in Week 8 with an ankle injury. This week, Dalton faces Buffalo's run-funnel defense. The Bills have allowed 13.6 fantasy points per game to QBs over the last four weeks, which is fourth-best in the league. That number may be skewed because the Bills also rank 30th in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs in that span. The backup quarterback for Carolina started in five games for the team last season. In those outings, he registered 13 fantasy points on average, with two of those performances being under five points each. He passed for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions in those starts. Compared to 2024, Dalton has better receivers, such as standout rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan, and improving second-year receiver Xavier Legette. Because the Panthers may lean on the running game, Dalton may only be an adequate QB2 to start in Superflex formats.

Saturday, October 25, 1:15 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) was a full participant in practice all week and does not carry an injury designation into a Sunday night showdown with the Green Bay Packers. Operating as the team's WR2, Austin showed flashes of chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the first four weeks of the season. While he's unlikely to outproduce DK Metcalf most weeks, Austin's explosiveness gives him big-play potential in the right matchups. The Packers have been middle-of-the-road against opposing receivers this season, and with this contest carrying a healthy projected point total, Austin could see a bump in usage. He's not quite on the fantasy radar in most formats, but the 26-year-old offers boom-or-bust flex appeal in deeper leagues.