Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Marcus Mariota

Saturday, September 13, 11:47 AM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is not a top fantasy option for Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. Instead, he ranks as a low-end QB2. First of all, the Titans' passing defense showed major strides in Week 1, intercepting Bo Nix twice. This was the lone bright spot for a Tennessee team that struggled essentially everywhere else. Additionally, the Rams are favored to win, so they could adopt a run-heavy approach that aims to drain the clock. If so, we'll see fewer attempts from Stafford through the air. With a respectable matchup and potentially positive game script, Stafford, who lacks rushing upside, drops to the fringe top-24 range.

Monday, September 15, 3:41 PM

If Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) cannot play in Week 3, backup Marcus Mariota could be forced into action against his old team, the Las Vegas Raiders. After undergoing an MRI exam following last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers, Daniels was diagnosed with a sprained knee, which puts his availability for Week 3 this Sunday in question. Daniels' injury isn't considered a long-term one, but his status is in doubt for this weekend. The Commanders surely will play it safe with the 24-year-old Daniels. Mariota, 31, hasn't started in the NFL since he made 13 starts with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Since then, he's appeared in six games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Commanders, throwing for 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a pick on 67 pass attempts. Mariota wasn't bad in spot duty in 2024 with Washington, although he'd be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 3 if he makes the start against the Raiders.