Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Marcus Mariota


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
25.7 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Matthew Stafford News

Matthew Stafford a High-Floor Late-Round QB Option Entering 2026

Friday, September 4, 6:21 PM

The reigning NFL MVP, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off a season in which he completed 65.0% of his pass attempts for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Entering 2026, it's reasonable to believe that the 38-year-old's numbers are poised to regress. Stafford's touchdown rate spiked to a career-high 7.7% last season, well above his career mark of 4.8%. Still, Stafford remains in an ideal situation for success in Los Angeles. The Rams have a solid offensive line, an elite wide receiver duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and arguably the NFL's best play-caller in head coach Sean McVay. At his average draft position of a low-end fantasy QB1, Stafford profiles as a high-floor pick with some upside for fantasy managers.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Marcus Mariota News

Marcus Mariota Suffers Sprained MCL, Likely Out for Rest of Preseason

Sunday, August 16, 7:19 AM

Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered a sprained MCL in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Miami Dolphins that will likely keep him out for the rest of the preseason, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's unclear at this time if Mariota's knee injury will keep him sidelined going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season versus the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13. Either way, the Commanders might be in the market for a veteran signal-caller to provide more depth behind starter Jayden Daniels. The other QBs on the roster are Sam Hartman and undrafted rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. The 32-year-old Mariota played a big part in the Commanders' offense a year ago with Daniels only playing in seven games due to injury, although he went 2-6 in his eight starts while throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his 11 total games played.


Matthew Stafford vs. Marcus Mariota

Still trying to decide between Stafford and Mariota? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Matthew Stafford is projected to score 25.7 points this week while Marcus Mariota is projected to score 0.0 points.