Who Should I Start? Jared Goff or Brock Purdy

Friday, September 5, 4:25 PM

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff put up the best numbers of his career in 2024, posting career highs in yards per pass attempt (8.6), passing touchdowns (37), and quarterback rating (111.8). Goff profiles as a fringe QB1 in fantasy this season, but there may be reason to believe that his road matchup in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers won't be his best game. In the four games he's played at Lambeau Field with the Lions, Goff has averaged just 206.5 passing yards and one touchdown per contest. Additionally, the Packers just acquired All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons (back) from the Dallas Cowboys, trading away run-stuffing defensive tackle Kenny Clark in the process. Parsons is battling a back injury but is expected to play, so the Lions could be motivated to try and pound the ball between the tackles rather than having Goff drop back and face the Green Bay pass rush. Goff is worth starting as a QB2 in Superflex leagues, but managers in single-QB formats may want to look elsewhere.

Saturday, September 6, 6:37 AM

Brock Purdy opens the 2025 season against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. In two starts against his division rival last season, Purdy was 39-for-56 (70% completion rate) for 414 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. In five career starts against Seattle, Purdy has nine touchdowns to three interceptions and has averaged 241.6 passing yards per game. With running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) drawing a questionable tag for the season opener, there may be increased reliance on Purdy's arm. Fortunately, wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) has been cleared for the game and will join George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall as Purdy's top targets downfield. Fantasy football managers can start Purdy as he still has enough support around him to finish as a low-end QB1.