Wondering who you should start this week — Jared Goff or Sam Darnold? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.
Start Jared Goff — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0 points. The matchup leans Jared Goff (MIN allow the 32nd-most QB points), but you can defend either call.
Player
Wk 8
Proj (PPR)
Matchup
Form L3
Trade value
Status
Jared GoffSTART
vs MIN
16.3
32nd · tough
22.5
1,449
healthy
Sam Darnold
vs CHI
16.3
10th
12.8
335
healthy
QBs vs MIN recently: Malik Willis 2.5 pts (W4) · Tyler Shough 1.8 pts (W5) · Daniel Jones 4.6 pts (W7).
QBs vs CHI recently: Jordan Love 25.3 pts (W5) · Michael Penix Jr. 23.1 pts (W6) · Drake Maye 28.4 pts (W7).
🎓 The coach's read
They carry identical projections — projection alone cannot separate them.
Jared Goff has the higher floor (8) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Sam Darnold has the higher ceiling (26.8) — the play if you need points.
Jared Goff is steady — about 14% less volatile week to week than a typical QB projected here — higher floor, lower ceiling.
Sam Darnold is boom-or-bust — about 18% more volatile week to week than a typical QB projected here — wider range in both directions.
Jared Goff faces MIN, 32nd most generous to QBs.
Who wins a straight-up trade?
Jared Goff carries the higher trade value — 1,449 against 335 (a 77% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Jared Goff gets the most.
Momentum: Jared Goff +422 and Sam Darnold -373 over the last 30 days.