Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Joe Flacco CIN
Joe Flacco’s late-career resurgence in Cincinnati has been one of the biggest surprises of the fantasy football season. In just four starts, he’s averaged an astounding 25 fantasy points per game, throwing for over 340 yards twice and at least three touchdowns in three of those outings. The Bengals’ offense has been completely reinvigorated in fantasy football since he took over, with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown producing significantly better. With the Bengals’ defense struggling this year, Flacco has yet to have a game under 34 passing attempts, with three of his games resulting in over 45 attempts.
For Week 11, fantasy managers should confidently start Flacco against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL and have surrendered at least 20 fantasy points to five opposing quarterbacks this season. Flacco already torched this defense once for 342 yards and three scores earlier in the year. Pittsburgh’s secondary ranks bottom 10 in adjusted completion rate allowed and success rate per dropback since Week 6, while also dealing with some injuries in the secondary entering the week. With elite passing volume, a favorable matchup, and top-tier efficiency, Flacco profiles as a must-start fantasy football quarterback this week..
Aaron Rodgers PIT
Aaron Rodgers has been a model of consistency throughout his career, but this season has been a different story. After posting three straight 17-point fantasy football outings, he’s come back down to earth in recent weeks, totaling just 18.5 points across his last two starts. Rodgers is not pushing the ball down the field with 65% of his passing yardage has come that way, and his ADOT ranks near the bottom among starting quarterbacks. This checkdown style of offense relies heavily on the Steelers’ playmakers making defenders miss or having the right matchup to capitalize on it. Let’s just say the matchup this week against Cincinnati is perfect for Rodgers to put up some big numbers.
This week, Rodgers faces a Bengals defense that has been a dream matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. Cincinnati has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position, with only three quarterbacks who failed to score at least 19 points against them. Rodgers threw four touchdowns when these teams met earlier this year, totaling 249 yards with a 67.6% completion rate. His success against Cincy’s soft zone looks should continue, as the Bengals allow one of the league’s highest yards-after-catch and missed-tackle rates. While he’s no longer a consistent QB1, Rodgers can be started in fantasy football this week as a matchup-based play with legitimate multi-touchdown potential.
Dak Prescott DAL
Dak Prescott has historically come out firing after a bye week, averaging nearly 23 fantasy points per game in those situations, and his statistical profile this year continues to support optimism. Prescott ranks inside the top 10 in passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, and highly accurate throw rate while leading the entire league in catchable target percentage. After four straight 20+ point performances, he has cooled off as of late, totaling 22 points in his last two games. No need to overreact, as the matchups were difficult and the Cowboys still rank 2nd in pass rate over expectation, which has kept Prescott’s fantasy volume secure for most of the season.
This week’s matchup with the Raiders puts Prescott firmly in the start category. Las Vegas’ pass defense metrics are deceptively solid due to an easy schedule, but when tested by good offenses, they have struggled. Prescott’s weapons at receiver should feast against this secondary, which has allowed one of the highest completion rates and explosive pass percentages in the league since Week 6. Expect Prescott to post strong QB1 numbers on Monday night, particularly given his proven post-bye success and Dallas’ high passing volume in scoring position. Start him confidently in all fantasy formats this week.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Baker Mayfield TB
Baker Mayfield has played better than expected this season despite a tough schedule and key injuries to receivers. Despite battling through those, Mayfield ranks inside the top 15 in both passing yards per game and touchdown passes. He’s excelled in high-pressure spots, ranking fifth in pressured completion percentage and second in pressured catchable pass rate. The Buccaneers’ offensive line has held up reasonably well, and Mayfield’s strong play has mitigated potential breakdowns. However, his fantasy ceiling has been inconsistent as he ranks 20th among quarterbacks in points per dropback and ranks 18th in expected points per game. Two of his last three games have been below 12 fantasy points as well since Mike Evans’ injury.
For Week 11, Mayfield should be treated as a sit in lineups. The Bills have been one of the toughest defenses for quarterbacks this season, ranking top-five in fewest fantasy points allowed and top-10 in nearly every major efficiency metric. Buffalo’s defense has shut down elite passers like Patrick Mahomes and Drake Maye, holding them under 12 points apiece. Since Week 6, Buffalo ranks among the league’s best in limiting yards per attempt, completion percentage over expected, and success rate per dropback while ranking top three in the NFL in sacks. Pivot to streamer options like Aaron Rodgers or Joe Flacco this week over Mayfield in a tough matchup.
Sam Darnold SEA
Sam Darnold’s efficiency numbers have been impressive, even if his fantasy output hasn’t reflected it consistently. He ranks first in yards per attempt and second in both highly accurate throw rate and hero throw rate among qualified passers, showing a strong command in his 1st year of Klint Kubiak’s offense. However, the game script has limited his fantasy upside, like last week, when he attempted just 12 passes due to an early blowout. Despite this, Darnold is right in the MVP conversation and has three 20+ point performances in his last five games. This week will be the toughest test of the season for the Seahawks offense against one of the league’s best defenses in the Rams.
Fantasy football managers should sit Darnold this week against the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed just three quarterbacks all year to top 20 fantasy points and ranks inside the top 10 in multiple pass defense metrics, including passer rating and yards per attempt allowed. Darnold has struggled when forced into high-pressure situations, and the Rams’ defense has excelled at collapsing pockets. Even though his real-life efficiency remains solid, the limited passing volume and matchup concerns make him a risky fantasy start. Outside of Superflex or two-quarterback leagues, he’s best left on the bench this week.
Jared Goff DET
Jared Goff’s passing has been a key driver of Detroit’s offensive consistency this season. With Dan Campbell taking over play-calling duties, Goff threw for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns in a dominant win over the Commanders. He ranks fifth in yards per attempt, seventh in accuracy metrics, and second in catchable target rate, which shows his level of play has not taken a dip this season. His fantasy production in recent weeks is also gaining some momentum with three 19+ point performances in his last five games. While Goff and the Lions offense are trending in the right direction, I am a bit hesitant to start him this week.
Fantasy football managers should sit Goff this week against Philadelphia if they have a safer alternative. The Eagles have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league and rank among the top 10 in both passing yards and fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Only two passers have thrown for multiple scores against them all season. Goff’s dependency on touchdown volume for fantasy success makes him a risky play here. However, if Detroit continues using heavy play-action as it did in Week 10, there’s some upside, but the floor remains low against this elite secondary. Unless you’re in a two-quarterback format, Goff is better off benched in Week 11.
