Who Should I Start? Jared Goff or Tua Tagovailoa

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, 8:54 AM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa starts the season healthy and with a good group of pass-catchers as he leads his team to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Since he doesn't run very much at all, the 27-year-old has limited upside. No quarterback in the NFL had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024, and he averaged just over 260 passing yards per game while throwing 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. The Colts were a slightly above-average matchup for quarterbacks last year, and Tagovailoa always has the potential for a big day if his playmakers find space. He typically focuses on short, accurate passes, though, rather than taking deep shots. He is the QB21 this week, making him a low-end starter in two-quarterback leagues in Week 1 even though his offense appears to be healthy.