Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Trey Lance

Wednesday, October 22, 2:32 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect much production in a difficult matchup. Mariota has been serviceable in his limited action, completing 64.6% of his passes with a 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while adding some mobility outside the pocket. However, he now faces a Chiefs defense that ranks among the league's best, allowing the fifth-fewest yards per game and just 17.7 points per contest, good for third in the NFL. To make matters worse, Mariota could once again be operating without two of his top pass-catchers as Deebo Samuel (heel) and Terry McLaurin (quad) both remain questionable. With limited weapons and a brutal defensive matchup, Mariota lacks fantasy upside and should remain on the waiver wire in all formats outside of deep superflex leagues.

Sunday, August 10, 9:00 PM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance started the second quarter of the team's 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints and eventually led a 14-play, 85-yard scoring drive towards the end of the half. The 25-year-old, a former first-round pick, got it done more with his legs than his arm, completing seven of 14 passes for 55 yards through the air while rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Although he was up and down with his accuracy and had a fumbled snap, Lance looked confident and poised, building off the momentum he gained in the Hall of Fame Game last week. Overall, Lance easily outplayed backup Taylor Heinicke and made a strong case to be Justin Herbert's primary backup this season.