Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or C.J. Stroud

Monday, September 8, 9:35 AM

Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson played phenomenally on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills, completing 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards, two passing touchdowns, and adding 70 yards on the ground on six rushing attempts and a rushing touchdown. Unfortunately for the Ravens, it wasn't enough to walk away with the victory as the Bills came from behind to win 41-40 in what was an epic battle of two AFC contenders. If Derrick Henry hadn't broken off long runs all night and totaled 169 rushing yards, Jackson's evening could have been more productive. A handful of the Ravens' drives were just three or four-play drives where Henry scored on 30-plus-yard touchdown runs. Regardless, Jackson remains a high-end QB1 for fantasy managers, and those who paid a premium to get him are already reaping the rewards. Next up for Jackson is a home game against the Cleveland Browns, where he remains a top option at the QB position.

Friday, September 5, 9:37 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud opens the season in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday afternoon, as he looks to start a bounce-back season. He took a step backwards last season after throwing for 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games as a rookie. He finished with 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 17 games last year, while leading the Texans to a second straight AFC South title. He has a new Offensive Coordinator in Nick Caley, and the new system puts more responsibility on the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. Stroud is the QB16 this week against the Rams, who allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Stroud will be without Christian Kirk (hamstring), so he'll be working with an unproven group of receivers aside from his elite receiver option, Nico Collins. He's a strong QB2 with boom or bust upside in Week 1.