Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold
Week 3 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | 30.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Marcus Mariota News
Saturday, September 26, 8:48 AM
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is in line to make his first start of the 2026 season in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks after Jayden Daniels (elbow) suffered a second elbow dislocation in Washington's Week 2 loss to the Cowboys. Mariota was efficient in the second half after Daniels left, completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. In 11 games (8 starts) last season, Mariota averaged 154.1 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns to 7 interceptions while adding 27 rushing yards per game and one score on the ground last season. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged just 12.3 fantasy points per game last season and faces a daunting matchup in Washington's home opener against the reigning Super Bowl champs and Mike Macdonald's defense. Mariota profiles as a low-end QB2 in Week 3, ranking as RotoBaller's QB24.
Week 3 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.3 | 8.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sam Darnold News
Sunday, September 27, 5:17 PM
After missing Week 2 with a glute injury, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returned to action in a 33-31 Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders. Darnold put up big numbers, as he completed 31 out of 45 pass attempts (68.9%) for 379 yards and four touchdowns, while adding one rush for five yards. However, he also threw two interceptions. Darnold scored 28 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues. Darnold suffered a glute injury on the first drive of the 2026 season opener, a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots. He missed the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, which the Seahawks won 31-7. While the Seahawks are relieved to have Darnold back in the starting lineup, it wasn't enough for Seattle to get a road win against the Commanders on Sunday.
Marcus Mariota vs. Sam Darnold
Still trying to decide between Mariota and Darnold? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Marcus Mariota is projected to score 19.1 points this week while Sam Darnold is projected to score 23.3 points.
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