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 Lamar Jackson. 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
I originally had Goff as a "sit" last week, but completely changed my tune after seeing Washington suffer the same struggles on Thursday night as Detroit had in Week 1 against the black hole known as Green Bay's defense. I hope you saw me on Fantasy Live saying I trust Goff in Week 2, because he went off for 334 passing yards, five touchdowns and a QB1 finish on the week. Detroit very much looked like the Lions of old against Chicago. The team hits the road this week, which isn't ideal for Goff, but he'll be going against a Ravens defense that has allowed the second-most passing yards through two weeks. Baltimore also has picked up sacks at the fifth-lowest rate. Plus, with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Co. on the other side, the Lions will need to put up points.
Prescott played well in Week 1, but it did not translate into much fantasy success. That was not the case in Week 2, as Prescott went off for 361 passing yards, two TDs and 22 fantasy points. This week, he faces the Bears, who have allowed a league-high seven passing touchdowns. They have also yielded the highest passer rating and yards per attempt to opposing quarterbacks, while ranking 29th in completion percentage against. Both J.J. McCarthy and Jared Goff eclipsed 22 fantasy points against Chicago. Play Prescott.
I couldn't write about Justin Fields, as he's been ruled out of Week 3 due to a concussion. I considered Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, but given the deteriorating state of the quarterback position with all of these injuries, those two are likely already in play for most. Just know they are "starts" for me. So is Maye, if you are diving a little deeper at QB. The second-year pro fully took advantage of the matchup against Miami, throwing for two TDs and running for another score. Through two games in 2025, he has shown a safe floor and some upside. Now he gets the Steelers, who allowed five total TDs to Fields and Sam Darnold. Thus far, Pittsburgh has generated pressure but not sacks, despite blitzing heavily. The Steelers have also yielded fruitful marks in passer rating, completion percentage and yards per attempt. Lastly, they allowed 31-plus points in the first two games of a season for the first time since 1989! Maye may not be a slam dunk, but he is certainly in play this week.
Given all of the carnage at QB, Jones is definitely an option for fantasy managers in Week 3. Shoot, "Danny Dimes" is the fantasy QB2 on the season, behind only Lamar Jackson. He is tied with Josh Allen for the NFL lead in goal-line carries and is also tied for the league high with three rushing touchdowns. Oh, and he is second in the NFL in passing yards. I doubted Jones coming into this season and am willing to take the L if this continues. While there is still a chance his start is 2024 Saints-like, it is time for fantasy managers to take notice. The goal-line rushing alone would make Jones fantasy relevant. Now he draws the Titans, who have generated pressure at the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. Jones has the third-best pass EPA this season when not under pressure; he has completed over 75 percent of his passes from a clean pocket. All of that has Jones in play at a very banged-up position.
It hasn't been the best real-life start for Caleb in Year 2, but it has been good for fantasy. Williams is currently the QB10 on the season. He has shown to have a safe floor and some upside. This could be an upside week, as Dallas' defense has really struggled early on. The Cowboys have given up the third-most passing yards, while also allowing the second-highest completion percentage, third-highest passer rating and fourth-most yards per attempt. Each QB to face Dallas has finished top eight on the week, with Russell Wilson torching the D for 30 fantasy points last Sunday. Williams is definitely in play in Week 3.
Sit 'Em
Philadelphia has faced Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes so far. Neither threw for 200 yards; together, they combined for one passing touchdown. The Eagles have given up the third-lowest passer rating and fourth-lowest yards-per-attempt figure, despite the stout competition. Mahomes only found fantasy success via his legs, but you cannot count on Stafford to deliver that. The 37-year-old, who did have some success against Philly last year, is more of a floor play at this point of his career. Floors are lowered against tough defenses. Go in another direction this week.
Trevor "Mid" Lawrence -- as he now goes by on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, thanks to LaQuan Jones -- has been exactly what that nickname would suggest. The former No. 1 overall pick has left a lot of production on the field. He has shown to be a mid fantasy option and has yet to finish as a QB1, even with his better performance in Week 2. Also, Houston has given him fits in his career. Lawrence has thrown multiple passing TDs against the Texans one time in his last six games against them (throwing out the one in which he left early). He has more career interceptions (9) than touchdown passes (7) against Houston. The Texans just played Baker Mayfield very tough. I would go in another direction.
With QBs banged up, you might be thinking of streaming Tua on Thursday Night Football. I would advise against that. So far this season, we have seen a low floor and a low ceiling out of Tagovailoa. We have also seen him struggle throughout his career against Buffalo. He has been held to fewer than 240 pass yards in all but one of his past seven games vs. the Bills, with multiple passing touchdowns in just two. Not to mention, Buffalo has allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL in this young season. There simply is not enough upside to risk another flop. Stream elsewhere this week.
Perhaps this is the week Darnold puts up numbers as a Seahawk, given that the Saints generate pressure at one of the lowest rates in the NFL. My issue is that we have yet to see anything to believe Darnold has a high fantasy ceiling in Seattle. The 'Hawks have thrown the ball at the sixth-lowest rate in the league through two weeks. This could be another game where they run often. Darnold has 21.2 fantasy points in his first two games combined and just three red-zone passing attempts. He doesn't run much. Maybe we'll eventually see the upside displayed last year, but until we do, it is best to keep Darnold out of your lineup.
Monday night was a rough one for Geno. He threw 43 times for just 180 yards -- with three interceptions -- in the Raiders' 20-9 loss to the Chargers. The supporting cast didn't do him a ton of favors. Still, Smith now has one passing touchdown and four interceptions on the season. Up next: the Commanders, who have generated pressure at the second-highest rate this season. They have allowed the second-lowest completion percentage, too. Jordan Love found some success against them, but he did not finish as a top-10 fantasy QB last week. Plus, with Jayden Daniels' nursing a knee sprain, this could be a lower-scoring game than you think.
