Who Should I Start? Jared Goff or J.J. McCarthy

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, 3:48 PM

It has been a long wait, but quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.