Honorable mention Start: Jayden Daniels (WAS), Bo Nix (DEN), Jared Goff (DET)
Honorable mention Sit: Jameis Winston (CLE), Matthew Stafford (LAR), Bryce Young (CAR)
Start: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert’s metamorphosis into QB1 territory has been nothing short of spectacular. Seriously. Weeks 1-6 were garbage for Justin – never more than 16 points in any contest, and not one finish higher than 21. Since then? Three Top 10s in five games and no fewer than 21 points. The change? Check out this interesting read from SI, which credits Jim Harbaugh with rebuilding Herbert’s fragile confidence. If you need more evidence before you believe, click here. As a result, the Chargers have been way more pass-heavy recently after starting the season as a run-first offense, and we need to be here for it. Stupid good matchup this week, and he’s set to finish the season rolling (scoop where you can).
Start: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray has frustrated me all season, as I’m sure he has you as well. No other position impacts our fantasy teams as significantly as the QB – if you have Hurts, Jackson, or Baker, chances are you are sitting pretty in your league standings. And while Murray is QB7 on the season, your record is probably closer to .500 based solely on his inconsistent production. Five Top 10s, five finishes at QB15 or lower. He has game-wrecking potential, undoubtedly. But the rollercoaster of the last few weeks is what you get with Kyler – QB12, QB30, QB4. You play the matchups here, and Seattle is a fine one. The Seahawks have looked good here and there, but they certainly struggle against playmakers, and Kyler is a playmaker (sometimes). His legs will always make him viable, however, and Murray has rushing scores in three of his last four. Maybe it’s just a gut hunch, but I expect a big game here.
Sit: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Have you met the Chicago Bears defense? Especially against QBs? Allow me to introduce them – in 10 games this season, five games under 10.0 points allowed, eight games under 20 points allowed, and only seven touchdowns surrendered to the position. They can be gashed in the run game, mind you, but they’re stout against both QBs and WRs. Darnold has been serviceable, but he’s shaky and hasn’t convinced me that he’s that guy. There is all kinds of buzz this week that Darnold could be the Giants QB heading into 2025, but I’m not buying him as a viable starter in this league (think David Carr as a ceiling). His numbers against the Titans were respectable, I’ll give you that, but it was one of only two games in his last six where he’s managed to surpass 20 points. He’s a mediocre option in good matchups, and this matchup is about as “not-good” as it gets.
Sit: Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Real-life Drake Maye is shaping up to be a pretty good QB. I say this through gritted teeth, as our rookie QB (ours as if I have ownership stake in the Bears) Caleb Williams, has struggled mightily. Poised is a word I’d use with Maye, as well as a calming presence. My man Stuart Scott would say, “Cool as the other side of the pillow.” Flowers for the man aside, he just hasn’t wowed in fantasy yet. Maye hasn’t finished higher than QB14 in his last four games. That might not be entirely his fault, but the fact remains that he’s not dazzling us. Other than Hunter Henry, his weapons are lacking (though promising), and the game script has remained simple (he’s still a rookie, mind you), resulting in a low ceiling for Drake. PFF doesn’t love him either, as they actually have him graded below Daniel Jones (gasp) despite his run grade being higher than anyone not named Josh Allen (which shocked me also). Miami is a tough matchup for QBs in 2024, though they’ve been beaten up a bit in their last four (Josh Allen, Kyler Murray). This is going to be a MEHHHHHH stat line for us, outside the Top 12.