You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Prescott has pretty much reached must-start status, but given this week's matchup, managers may be wondering what to do. He has 14 touchdowns with zero giveaways in his last four games, averaging 26.2 fantasy PPG in that span. Quarterbacks have logged good fantasy performances against the Broncos this season -- most recently, Jaxson Dart and his QB2 finish in Week 7. Start Dak.
Like Prescott, Maye's matchup might give fantasy managers some doubt, but I would keep riding with the Patriots signal-caller. Since Week 2, Maye is the QB3, averaging 22 fantasy PPG. Statistically, he's the best deep-ball thrower in the NFL. The Browns rank higher than the league average in passer rating allowed, completion percentage, EPA and success rate. Start Maye.
Two weeks ago on NFL Fantasy Live, I said Dart would sit just inside the top 10 fantasy QBs the rest of the season. The list of QBs I would rather have over Dart is shrinking quickly. Against the best defense in the NFL on the road last Sunday, he threw for 283 yards and notched four total touchdowns to finish as the QB2 on the week. Since becoming the starter for New York, Dart has averaged 21.9 fantasy PPG and has reached new highs in each of the last two games. He's posted 50 rush yards in three of his four starts and has rushed for a TD in three games. That's elite ground production for a fantasy QB. He remains a start vs. the Eagles, considering Dart finished as the QB3 in his first matchup against them in Week 6.
Last week looked like a flop for Nix through three quarters. Then he exploded. Nix has regularly performed closer to his floor this season, but he has shown a high ceiling at times, largely because of what he does with his legs. Nix has five games with 20-plus rush yards (only Josh Allen and Justin Fields have more). He could again hit his ceiling this week against the Cowboys, who can put up points but also allow the most fantasy PPG and pass yards per game this season. Furthermore, Dallas has given up the most rushing yards to QBs -- six players at the position have run for at least 20 yards against the Cowboys. Nix is a strong start.
The Colts' offense is a buzzsaw right now. While I think Jonathan Taylor should be in the MVP race, Jones has been good in his own right. He has recorded over 22 fantasy points in each of the last two weeks against teams that generate pressure at below-average rates. As some of you know, I tend to trust Jones when he's not under consistent pressure. This week, he'll face a Titans defense that generates pressure at the seventh-lowest rate in the league. Jones is very much in play.
Chicago's rushing attack looks awesome, but that might not be the best thing for Williams’ fantasy value. He is coming off his worst fantasy game of the season and has scored fewer than 12 points in two of his last three outings. This is all about the matchup. Baltimore has allowed the second-most fantasy PPG and passing TDs to QBs. Plus, the Bears have done a much better job protecting Williams in 2025, so it's favorable that the Ravens generate pressure at the fifth-lowest rate. With six teams on a bye, Williams is certainly in play.
STREAMING OPTIONS: Jets' Justin Fields/Tyrod Taylor (at Bengals); Texans' C.J. Stroud (vs. 49ers); Steelers' Aaron Rodgers (vs. Packers); Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. (vs. Dolphins).
Sit 'Em
Love just hasn't been a great fantasy option this season, topping 20 fantasy points twice but scoring fewer than 16 points four times. He has had fewer than 15 points in three of his last four games, a span in which nearly 57 percent of Green Bay's red-zone plays have been runs. The Steelers are a favorable matchup, but Love has shown even that doesn't always translate to fantasy success. Going against Aaron Rodgers could motivate Love and the Pack to go for the jugular, but I'm not gonna bank on it.
At publishing, it is not clear which 49ers QB will start this week. Jones has shown to be a better quarterback in real life than for fantasy purposes. The ceiling is higher with Purdy, but his injuries add risk. Regardless, it's more about avoiding this matchup against the Texans, who have allowed the third-fewest pass yards and the fewest fantasy PPG to QBs. I would go in another direction this week.
Even with six teams on a bye, there is no way you should start Tagovailoa this week. He was benched last week in a rainy blowout loss to the Browns. He finished with -1.4 fantasy points and has thrown six interceptions in his last two games. The Falcons generate both interceptions and sacks at the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. They’ve allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG to QBs this season. Stay far away from Tua.
When Jayden Daniels has missed time, Mariota filled in as a nice fantasy replacement. He averaged over 18 fantasy PPG in his two starts this season, but this is a week to avoid playing the fill-in starter outside of superflex leagues. The Chiefs are one of the five stingiest defenses when it comes to fantasy PPG, regular PPG, total YPG and pass TDs this season. They have allowed one top-15 fantasy QB since Week 2. Don't chase Mariota's potential for rushing production.
Wentz has struggled as the Vikings' starter, topping 16 fantasy points once in his four starts, and that came in a contest where the Vikings were down multiple scores and chased points. Over his last two games, Wentz has thrown one TD and two interceptions. Los Angeles has been a tough matchup for quarterbacks, giving up just seven passing touchdowns while snagging six interceptions. Opposing signal-callers have posted the third-lowest passer rating against the Chargers. The Bolts have allowed just one top-10 fantasy QB since Week 2.
