There are plenty of fantasy football managers who waited to draft a quarterback late this season and are now stuck with either Kirk Cousins or Daniel Jones. But which QB is the better start in Week 2?
Let’s take a look at their respective matchups and who you should have in your starting lineups this week!
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Kirk Cousins’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
After finishing as QB10 overall in Week 1, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has a tough task ahead of him this week: the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
The Eagles and Vikings faced one another in Week 2 last season, too, and it was an outing to forget for Cousins. The Vikings signal-caller threw three interceptions in that matchup and finished with just 11.8 fantasy points, his third-lowest output of the 2022 campaign.
Philadelphia’s defense looks a little different than it did a season ago. Cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry are back, but both starting safeties from last year are gone. It’s worth noting that Bradberry is likely to miss Thursday night’s game due to a concussion he suffered in Week 1.
The Eagles’ defense started strong in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, highlighted by a Slay pick-six. But Patriots quarterback Mac Jones found a decent rhythm as the game went on, finishing with 316 passing yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. Jones totaled 24.14 fantasy points in Week 1, the second most of any quarterback.
Cousins turned in a decent performance of his own in Week 1, throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns. However, he turned the ball over three times (two fumbles and one interception), which resulted in a pedestrian fantasy outing of just 16.46 points. Cousins will have to take better care of the football in Week 2 against Philadelphia to turn in a solid fantasy game.
Daniel Jones’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
It can only go up from here, right?
Jones finished with just 4.46 fantasy points in Week 1 as his Giants were blown out by the Dallas Cowboys, 40-0. Jones played almost the entirety of the game despite the outcome being well-decided early in the second half, yet he was unable to muster any production.
Luckily for Jones and the Giants, the Arizona Cardinals — arguably the worst team in the NFL — are up next. This is an excellent get-right spot for Jones, who finished the 2022 season as the QB9 overall.
The Cardinals’ defense played well in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, but that performance might be more telling about Washington’s offensive struggles than Arizona’s defensive strengths. Commanders quarterback Sam Howell finished with 15.18 fantasy points, QB12 overall in Week 1, in a performance that was strongly helped by a rushing touchdown.
Which of the Quarterbacks Should You Start?
Neither Jones nor Cousins are slam-dunk fantasy starts this week. But, if you had to pick one, Jones is the better option in Week 2 purely due to his matchup (Pro Football Network ranks Jones as QB13 overall and Cousins QB17 overall this week).
Expect Jones and the Giants’ offense to be eager to prove Week 1’s debacle is not an actual representation of what their 2023 season will look like. A get-right game against one of the NFL’s worst teams should be coming.
MORE: Fantasy Football’s Week 2 Burning Start/Sit Questions
On the other hand, it’s hard to trust Cousins against Philadelphia’s defense, even if they are a little bit banged up.
Having Justin Jefferson obviously helps Cousins’ fantasy outlook, but Slay did an excellent job covering the Vikings’ top wideout when the two met last season. Starting Cousins this week simply isn’t a good move.