We are so back! The wait is over for our much-anticipated Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week One of the NFL season. All the draft scouting reports, offseason grading, and cut days are behind us. Now it is time to put what you have studied for to good use. Execute those fantasy teams to perfection with this year's QB Edition.
Veterans you can trust will be there, but which young QBs are looking to put up points against favorable matchups? Who might have a sophomore slump? Which QBs are looking to break out with a new offensive coordinator who favors their ability? We've got you covered.
Start - Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
The New Orleans Saints will be much improved, but Jared Goff has a chip on his shoulder after being swept under the rug
last season while throwing for over 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. Goff puts up points in bunches and has plenty of weapons at his disposal to continue the trend.
Start - Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
The Arizona Cardinals were really, really bad on defense last season. In fact, they were 24th against the pass, while nine different quarterbacks threw for multiple touchdowns against them. The last three of four season openers for Herbert have seen him average 20 or more points. Probably a good week to start him.
Start - Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders
This may be a bit of a gamble, and the percentage of people who have Cousins rostered as a starter is very low, but that is why we do this. We want you to win the week and give you an explanation of why you could do so while plugging in these QBs. As crazy as it sounds, Cousins is obviously playing to hold off 1st overall pick Fernando Mendoza. I still think he has what it takes to win several games and get the Raiders to the playoffs.
This would usually be a "Sit" in any given week, but the Raiders open against the Miami Dolphins, who may struggle to win four games this year. Cousins loves tight ends, and he has a great one by the name of Brock Bowers, who provides dump-off security as well.
Sit - Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers will open against their rival, the Minnesota Vikings. They have also lost a few weapons. Last year against the Packers, Love went 14 of 21 for 139 yards and no touchdowns, although the Packers got the win. A Vikings defense led by Brian Flores doesn't bode well for Love, especially without running back Josh Jacobs to open up the passing game.
Sit - Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
I rarely sit Brock Purdy, but I think this week offers a better matchup for points from other QBs, since they won't have to travel across the pond to face Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. Without those two on the season last year, they would only give up 16.3 points to opposing QBs on average. These teams obviously know each other very well, but I believe that it may be best to steer clear of Purdy during Week One.
Sit - Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
I know, I know. This is weird! But it's just until I see whether or not Mahomes is 100% healthy against the league's best defense right from the jump. Denver's defense allowed only 14.2 points per game to opposing QBs in 2025. Historically, at least recently, it hasn't favored huge points for Mahomes here. He hasn't played well against them in the last two games either.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 1: QB Edition
