Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Jalen Hurts

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.

Friday, October 24, 10:43 PM

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is coming off of his strongest passing game of the 2025 campaign so far, throwing for three touchdowns and setting a new season-high with 326 yards. Two of those scores came from A.J. Brown, who will miss Sunday's matchup against the Giants with a hamstring injury, but New York allows the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs. When these teams met just two weeks ago, Hurts managed two total touchdowns despite a Philly loss. Now, expect the Eagles to be fired up for revenge against their division rivals-this time with home-field advantage. Hurts should be considered a high-end QB1 in Week 8.