Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Jared Goff

Thursday, August 21, 6:05 PM

Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton (elbow) is being held out of the team's preseason finale on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt. Starter Bryce Young will also be held out, leaving QB duties on Thursday to Jack Plummer and Bryce Perkins, who was just signed on Monday. The 37-year-old Dalton suffered a muscle strain in his right elbow in the team's second preseason tilt last Saturday against the Houston Texans. While the injury isn't considered overly serious, Dalton is strictly focused on being available for the club's Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Red Rifle is purely a backup at this point in his career. In six games (five starts) played last year in Carolina when Young was benched, he threw for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Friday, September 12, 1:21 PM

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff averaged just 5.8 yards per pass attempt in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. He was also sacked four times, and could now be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) in Week 2. Goff does have an easier matchup on paper this Sunday against the Chicago Bears, whom he torched for 523 passing yards and five touchdowns across two games in 2024. However, particularly if Decker cannot play, Detroit's offensive line looks significantly worse in 2025 and may prevent Goff from consistently pushing the ball downfield. He profiles as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 in Week 2 against the Bears.