Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Jameis Winston

Monday, October 14, 7:30 PM

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) is "doing great and he's not going to miss any time." Stafford came out of the Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers with back soreness but had the bye in Week 6 to heal up properly. Stafford could be listed on this week's injury report, but it sounds like he won't be in danger of missing the Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. It's good news for Stafford and the Rams, but LA could be without both receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) for yet another week. Nacua won't practice this week and is most likely out, while Kupp is a question mark. The matchup will be a great one for the 36-year-old signal-caller, but without his top receivers, Stafford isn't all that attractive in fantasy as a QB2. Stafford is currently the QB31 at 14.8 fantasy points per game in 2024.

Wednesday, October 23, 1:24 PM

The Cleveland Browns will officially start veteran quarterback Jameis Winston in Week 8 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the year and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) nursing an injury, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. With Watson done for the year, the Browns also signed Bailey Zappe to their active roster, and he could serve as Winston's backup if DTR is inactive on Sunday. Winston has appeared in five games in 2024, completing six of 12 pass attempts for 83 yards and a touchdown, which came in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has plenty of NFL experience, but Thompson-Robinson could eventually take over the starting gig if Winston plays poorly. In an offense lacking explosive weapons now that Amari Cooper is out of town, Winston will be a low-end QB2, at best, in fantasy this weekend.