Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or C.J. Stroud

Sunday, September 14, 9:42 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled to move the ball through the air in his team's 20-17 Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 16 of 29 pass attempts for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Still, Mahomes managed to save his fantasy stat line by rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts. The Chiefs will have easier matchups than the Eagles' defense going forward, but it may be difficult for Mahomes as a passer while top receivers Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remain sidelined. Mahomes has been highly effective as a rusher so far this season, recording 123 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts. However, Kansas City likely won't want to risk his health by asking him to do too much with his legs. Mahomes remains a mid-to-low-end fantasy QB1 going forward.

Sunday, September 14, 6:08 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is hoping for a bounce-back season after a down year in 2024, but the new season didn't start well in the Texans' 14-9 loss to the Rams in Week 1. Stroud was limited to just 188 passing yards while completing 19-of-27 passes. He was under pressure from the Rams' strong pass rush most of the day and wasn't able to create enough big plays down the field. His interception came on a pass that was snatched out of the hands of his receiver, so it wasn't really on him. However, he didn't make enough big plays or lead any touchdown drives. Even with new offensive coordinator Nick Caley in command, the issues from last season were evident once again in Week 1. Stroud and the Texans will look to get on track against the Buccaneers in the first game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader, but with how rough the Texans' offense looked, it's hard to support Stroud as a QB1. In the RotoBaller rankings, he's QB17, making him a decent QB2 but a long shot to start in standard, single-QB leagues.