Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or J.J. McCarthy

Sunday, November 9, 9:00 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 24 of his 36 pass attempts for 280 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran quarterback continues to strengthen his MVP candidacy, playing turnover-free football while racking up passing touchdowns. He has now thrown for at least four touchdowns in each of his last three games, totaling 13 touchdowns and zero turnovers during that three-week span. He has a whopping 25 touchdowns and just two turnovers in 2025, keeping the Rams in the hunt for the top seed in the NFC. All the while, he has maintained QB1 value in fantasy football despite his lack of rushing upside. Managers should start him in all leagues ahead of next week's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Tuesday, November 11, 10:14 AM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been hot-and-cold in his limited experience as the team's starter, but the Vikings believe his struggles are to be expected as he acclimates to the NFL. The league's youngest starter at age 22, McCarthy is completing 53.7% of his passes with five touchdowns and six interceptions through four games. The Vikings certainly didn't help the young quarterback with eight false start penalties in Sunday's loss to Baltimore, which contributed heavily to only 13 carries for running backs and 42 passing attempts. McCarthy currently has the highest depth of target of any quarterback in the NFL, and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell acknowledged some of the game scripts have not "fit hand in hand with where you'd like the game to be for the ascension of (McCarthy's) development." While Minnesota continues taking the long view with McCarthy, managers will have to gauge their risk tolerance for playing an erratic, if promising, young quarterback during the fantasy home stretch.