Fantasy football managers face crucial decisions every week when setting their lineups. The difference between starting the right player and the wrong one can make or break your matchup. Some quarterbacks find themselves in prime spots to deliver big performances, while others face challenging situations that could limit their upside. Understanding these dynamics helps separate the savvy managers from the rest of the pack.
Start ‘Em: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Through six weeks, Jared Goff hasn’t been quite as good as he was last season. The Detroit Lions QB is averaging 18.2 fantasy points per game, currently placing him just outside the top 12 at the position.
Goff is not an every-week starter. But he is someone worth starting in the right matchup. This is one of those matchups.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep finding themselves in shootouts. Their last four games have totaled 56, 56, 73, and 49 points. This is a favorable offensive environment. Additionally, the Bucs are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Goff is coming off a disappointing performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, where the Lions managed just a single touchdown in the second half. At home against a Bucs team primed for a letdown, this is an excellent spot for a bounce back.
Brock Purdy or Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
It’s simultaneously praise for Mac Jones and an indictment of Brock Purdy that there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between the two quarterbacks. Perhaps the bulk of the credit belongs to Kyle Shanahan’s QB-friendly system. Either way, the San Francisco 49ers QB puts up fantasy numbers.
Purdy has only managed to start two games this season due to a turf toe injury he can’t seem to shake. He’s averaged 19.2 fantasy points per game in those contests. Jones has filled in for Purdy and been almost as good, averaging 17.8 PPG. Both are viable fantasy starters.
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If Purdy is ready to return this week, he will start. Jones has not taken his job. If not, it will be Jones again. Regardless of who starts, this game projects to be high-scoring.
The Atlanta Falcons have actually been incredible against quarterbacks. They represent one of the five most difficult opponents from a fantasy perspective. But we have to put their defensive performance in the proper context.
Atlanta did reasonably well against Baker Mayfield in Week 1. Then, they got to feast on JJ McCarthy and Bryce Young before a Week 4 spot against Marcus Mariota. This team hasn’t exactly faced top competition. Do not shy away from this matchup if you have a 49ers QB.
Sit ‘Em: Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Jaxson Dart is all kinds of legit. He is the New York Giants’ answer at quarterback. It is the first time since Eli Manning that the Giants actually can feel hopeful about fielding a competitive team.
If Dart can succeed against this defense, he will officially graduate to matchup-proof status. But entering his third career start, it would be incredibly risky to put him in lineups against this opponent.
The Denver Broncos’ defense is scary. They are currently allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Last week, they sacked Justin Fields nine times and limited him to 45 passing yards. Of course, Fields, being one of the worst passers in recent NFL history, played a significant role in that. But we’ve seen Fields post gaudy numbers. Denver deserves credit for their part in his career-worst effort.
Dart is currently throwing a WR corps led by Wan’Dale Robinson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence heading into hostile territory against an elite defense. Dart is a hazardous fantasy option this week.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
It is very, very difficult to dismiss what we saw last week. Yes, Justin Fields has three games with 27+ fantasy points. We know the elite QB1 ceiling is there. But the performance he put on in London is legitimately one of the worst in the history of not just the NFL, but any organized football.
Fields looked like he had never played football before. He refused to throw the ball. When he did throw it, his passes were consistently late, leaving his hand after the receiver was already open, so that by the time the ball got where it needed to be, the window was slammed shut.
After the game, beat reporters naturally asked head coach Aaron Glenn whether Fields would continue to be the starter. Glenn dismissed the notion that the team would bench Fields…kind of like Brian Daboll dismissed the idea of benching Russell Wilson after Week 1.
Please make no mistake about it, Fields is not making it through the season as the starter. While the Carolina Panthers do not represent an imposing foe, they have been able to stymie unprepared quarterbacks. Michael Penix Jr. managed zero points against this team.
Fields could very well rebound. But the floor is so low. Plus, he may not get the opportunity to salvage his fantasy day with a second-half surge. If the New York Jets are struggling offensively at halftime, we may see Tyrod Taylor in the second.
Add in the fact that Garrett Wilson is unlikely to play this week, and this is a recipe for disaster.
