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
Jared Goff DET
Jared Goff comes into this week looking to rebound after a rough outing where pressure completely disrupted Detroit’s offensive rhythm. Philadelphia forced him off his spots on nearly 40 percent of his dropbacks, limiting his ability to operate from clean pockets where he thrives. Even with that setback, Goff still ranks among the league’s most efficient passers, and his tied for second in the NFL in passing touchdowns. Despite the inconsistent production this year, Goff is on track for his third-highest PPG average of his career at 17.4. When the Lions keep him upright, his timing-based approach and chemistry with his receivers allow him to dissect defenses with ease, especially in controlled environments.
This matchup gives Goff a prime fantasy football start opportunity thanks to a vulnerable Giants secondary that has struggled all year. New York ranks near the bottom of the NFL in pass yards allowed, passing touchdowns allowed, and fantasy points surrendered to quarterbacks. Pressure has been a major weakness as the Giants sit below average in sack and pressure rate, which pairs perfectly with Goff’s clean-pocket-dependent production. Since Week 7, the Giants have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns and the sixth-highest passer rating, further raising his ceiling. With Dan Campbell dialing up plays and the Lions returning home indoors, Goff profiles as a strong start in all fantasy football formats.
Bryce Young CAR
Bryce Young delivered the best performance of his career last week, erupting for 448 passing yards and three touchdowns in a game no one expected to unfold that way. It marked only the second time this season he topped 7.0 yards per attempt and reached 200 passing yards, showing a rare spike in efficiency. Carolina also posted a rare positive pass rate over expectation, which aligned with Young’s breakout showing. Across the season, his accuracy and efficiency numbers remain near the bottom tier, ranking 31st in yards per attempt and 38th in highly accurate throw rate. Even so, his confidence and rhythm looked noticeably different in Week 11, and the Panthers’ offense finally showed signs of life.
This week provides Young with another fantasy football start opportunity against a struggling 49ers pass defense. Since Week 7, San Francisco has allowed the most passing yards per game, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, and the fourth-highest CPOE. They were just tormented for an NFL-record 47 completions by Jacoby Brissett, showing how beatable they’ve become through the air. Since Nick Bosa went down with a season-ending injury, the 49ers’ pass rush has been nonexistent. Young’s week-to-week floor remains very shaky, but the matchup keeps the door open for another spike performance. In fantasy, this makes him a volatile but appealing start for managers chasing upside.
Jacoby Brissett ARI
Jacoby Brissett has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers at the quarterback position, finishing as a QB1 in every single start this season. He has thrived in Arizona’s pass-heavy approach, ranking first in passing yards per game since Week 6. His accuracy metrics have held steady as well, with Brissett landing inside the top 15 in yards per attempt, passing touchdowns, and highly accurate throw rate. The Cardinals have relied on him heavily with their backfield decimated by injuries, resulting in multiple games with over 44 pass attempts. With his steady decision-making and high-volume role, Brissett has become a reliable presence in an offense that leans fully into his strengths.
This week positions Brissett as a fantasy football start due to an extremely favorable matchup with Jacksonville. The Jaguars have surrendered at least 17 fantasy points to six of their past seven quarterbacks and rank among the most generous defenses in passing touchdowns allowed. Their run defense has been one of the league’s best, which should push Arizona toward another pass-centric game plan. With the Cardinals’ running back room depleted and Jacksonville allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, volume once again tilts heavily in Brissett’s favor. He enters Week 12 as a strong start across all formats thanks to elite usage and matchup-driven upside.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Jordan Love GB
Jordan Love enters Week 12 after an up-and-down stretch where he delivered two top-ten finishes but also two weeks as the QB24. His efficiency metrics remain respectable, ranking eighth in yards per attempt and 13th in passing yards per game among qualifying quarterbacks. However, his consistency has fluctuated heavily, and he has exceeded 18 fantasy points only three times all season. Love’s per-dropback accuracy places him squarely in the middle of the pack, and Green Bay’s offense has struggled to sustain drives in tougher matchups. Despite the Packers’ impressive EPA marks, his volatility raises concerns, especially with the Packers leaning more heavily into the run game in recent weeks.
This week makes Love a sit due to the matchup with Minnesota’s improving defense. The Vikings generate pressure at one of the highest rates in the league and rank sixth in sacks, which is a problem for Love, whose performances dip sharply under duress. Minnesota has tightened up significantly in coverage since Andrew Van Ginkel’s return, allowing the 13th-fewest yards per attempt and ranking 15th in passer rating during that span. While Love has performed well against the blitz, the Vikings’ overwhelming volume of pressure remains a major obstacle. Expect inconsistency from this Packers passing game this week, and I want no part of Jordan Love in my starting lineup.
Dak Prescott DAL
Dak Prescott has been one of the most efficient passers in the league this season, ranking top five in passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, and catchable target rate. His command of the offense has been strong, and Dallas has leaned into a more balanced offense that frequently puts Prescott in a position for high-end production with the improved supporting cast. Even so, his earlier matchup with Philadelphia produced one of his quietest statistical results despite solid on-field play. Prescott has been strong against the Eagles over his career, averaging 23 PPG in his last three home games against them. While he remains a high-quality quarterback, this particular week presents unique challenges.
This matchup still profiles Prescott as a sit, given the elite form of the Eagles’ pass defense since Week 7. Philadelphia has allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns, the third-lowest passer rating, and the tenth-lowest CPOE in that span. Their pressure rate sits inside the top five, making it one of the most difficult environments for any quarterback to navigate. The addition of Jaelen Phillips has also given the Eagles a much-needed boost on their defensive line. While Prescott has excelled in home games, this specific defensive matchup historically caps his upside. In fantasy football, managers may need to pivot to a streamer like Jacoby Brissett or Bryce Young this week over Prescott.
Trevor Lawrence JAC
Trevor Lawrence has produced modest results throughout the season despite Jacksonville’s success in the standings. Over his last three games, he has averaged only 177 passing yards while posting a 2:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Multiple passing touchdown games have been rare, occurring only twice this year, and his fantasy performances often rely on outlier rushing production. Lawrence ranks near the bottom in yards per attempt and highly accurate throw rate, indicating ongoing struggles in pushing the ball efficiently. Even with a reliable target volume, the Jaguars’ passing game hasn’t translated into consistent fantasy production.
This week makes Lawrence a sit due to the matchup with Arizona, a defense that has kept opposing quarterbacks in check most weeks. The Cardinals rank seventh in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position and have limited efficiency by allowing the eighth-fewest yards per attempt and the highest CPOE since Week 7. Only three quarterbacks have topped 20 fantasy points against them, and most of those matchups involved unusual game flow. Lawrence’s low touchdown rate combined with Arizona’s defensive profile creates a capped ceiling scenario. This week, he is best viewed as a sit outside of deeper Superflex formats.
