The 2024 NFL season is finally here! You've drafted your teams and now it's time to set your Week 1 lineups.
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Jamey Eisenberg has all the Start 'Em & Sit 'Em insight you'll need to make sound decisions at quarterback ahead of Week 1, right here. His Waiver Wire column can also direct you to the best options that may be available in your leagues. And don't forget to check out Heath Cummings' quarterback preview for more help with matchup notes, Week 1 numbers to know and more. Plus check out Heath's Week 1 projections over at Sportsline.
QBs to Start
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Murray has the chance for a big season, and it starts this week at Buffalo. I'm excited to see how he performs with Marvin Harrison Jr., and Murray should take advantage of the Bills being without safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, as well as linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) injured. Last year, Buffalo was No. 10 in most rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks, and Murray could be playing from behind in this matchup. I like Murray as a borderline top-five quarterback this week.
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The Dolphins and Jaguars are projected for 49 points this week in Miami, according to Las Vegas, and we should see a shootout between Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence. Last year, Tagovailoa got off to a great start with at least 20.9 Fantasy points in four of his first six outings, including three games with at least 28.5 points, and Jacksonville was No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. I like Tagovailoa as a top-10 quarterback in Week 1.
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Lawrence struggled last season when he averaged 19.0 Fantasy points per game, but he should improve this year, starting in Week 1 against the Dolphins. This game is projected to be a high-scoring affair at 49 total points, and Miami is banged up defensively with Bradley Chubb (ACL) on the PUP list and Jaelen Phillips (Achilles) questionable. Lawrence looked good in the preseason with two touchdown passes in two drives against the Falcons, and hopefully that carries over to Week 1. I like Lawrence as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in this matchup.
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Daniels' first game on the road at Tampa Bay isn't ideal, but I expect him to perform at a high level often in his rookie campaign, including this week. The Buccaneers were No. 11 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last season, and they tied for second in most rushing touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks with six. We know Daniels will make plenty of plays with his legs, and he should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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I don't love that Stafford could be without his starting tackles in Alaric Jackson (suspended) and Rob Havenstein (ankle), but I still plan to use Stafford as a low-end starter in this revenge game against the Lions. Detroit knocked Stafford and the Rams out of the playoffs last year in the wild-card round, but Stafford still had 367 passing yards and two touchdowns. And he played the Lions in Los Angeles in 2021 and scored 33.2 Fantasy points, so clearly he likes facing his former team. Stafford scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in five of his final six games in the regular season last year.
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We'll see how quickly Dan Quinn can fix the Commanders defense, but last year Washington was No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Mayfield was also great to close 2023 with at least 20.3 Fantasy points in four of his final five outings, and Mayfield is a great starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for Week 1 given the matchup.
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I'm excited to see Smith in Ryan Grubb's offense, and Smith should do well in Week 1 against the Broncos. Last year, Denver was No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and Smith ended 2023 with at least 21.3 Fantasy points in three of his final four games. The Seahawks are expected to run more plays under Grubb and open up the passing game, and Smith should benefit, starting this week at home.
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QBs to Sit
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Purdy got his guys back when Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams signed contract extensions just prior to Week 1, but how much both will play against the Jets remains in question. It's also a brutal matchup against the Jets and former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh since the Jets were No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last year. I would only start Purdy in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues this week.
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Rodgers doesn't have an easy landing spot in his first game back from last year's Achilles injury at San Francisco. The 49ers were No. 8 last season in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and Rodgers might have to ease back into action in this matchup on the road. We'll also have to see how much Mike Williams (ACL) plays in his first game back, and the Jets offense might not be at full strength in Week 1.
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Herbert is expected to play through the foot injury that limited him in training camp, but he might not be 100 percent in Week 1. And he's facing a tough test against the Raiders, who were No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last year. We also know the new Chargers coaching staff under Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman wants to be run heavy, so Herbert doesn't seem to have a high ceiling and should be limited to Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 1.
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It's good to have Cousins back at 100 percent following last year's Achilles injury, but I would only start him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Pittsburgh's defense will test Cousins, and he might be down Kyle Pitts (hamstring) for this matchup at home. Last year, only three quarterbacks scored multiple touchdowns against the Steelers in their final 13 games, and Cousins' upside should be limited in this matchup at home.
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Trevon Diggs (knee) is back for the Cowboys defense, but DaRon Bland (foot) is out. We'll see how the Dallas defense also looks without coordinator Dan Quinn, but I'm still not ready to trust Watson this week. He missed time in training camp with shoulder soreness, and that's not encouraging coming off the shoulder injury that ended his season in 2023. The Cowboys were No. 10 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last year, and I would only start Watson in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues this week.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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It's difficult to sit Prescott in one-quarterback leagues, but I wouldn't expect a big game in this matchup at Cleveland. The Browns were No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last season, and Myles Garrett and the Cleveland pass rush will test the Cowboys' revamped offensive line with a new starter at left tackle and center. Hopefully, CeeDee Lamb will be his usual dominant self after holding out, but Prescott could get off to a slow start in this tough road matchup with the Browns.
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