Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks | Week 2, 2026

Fantasy managers considering who to start in fantasy football at quarterback are staring down some tough decisions in Week 2.

If you’re fretting over who the top quarterbacks to start for Week 12 are, or which players should be riding your bench this week, here’s our fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 12 quarterbacks guide to help you get an edge in your league this week.

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Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Week 2, 2026 – Quarterback

So, who should you absolutely slot into your lineup for Week 2, and who’s better of left on your bench? Let’s take a look. This advice will focus mostly on QBs you might be on the fence about starting, rather than top weekly must-starts like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

Quarterback Start of the Week

Brock Purdy: San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Purdy opened the season with a statement: 205 passing yards and three touchdowns in San Francisco’s dismantling of the Rams in Australia. The Niners O-line protected him well against a stacked LA defense, allowing Purdy to distribute his touchdown passes among three different receivers. Miami surrendered three passing TDs to veteran Kirk Cousins in Week 1, failing to mount much of a resistance in the red zone. Purdy has an excellent opportunity to deliver another high scoring week, and he’s an auto-start for us.

Quarterbacks to Start in Week 2

Dak Prescott: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Prescott finished Week 1 with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns and a pick against the new-look New York Giants. Dallas struggled to generate explosive plays, but Week 2 provides a better opportunity against a Washington defense that finished last season 28th in passing yards allowed and immediately raised alarm bells by surrendering three touchdown passes to Jalen Hurts in their opener. With Dallas favored at home and the matchup carrying one of the week’s highest projected totals, Prescott has a realistic path to 250-plus yards and multiple touchdowns against a leaky Washington defense.

Jaxson Dart: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
Kickoff: Monday, September 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET

There were equal parts hype and concern surrounding Dart ahead of the season, but it was the hype that won out in Week 1. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. He added 54 yards on the ground, for good measure. His rushing production raises his fantasy floor, while his immediate chemistry with Isaiah Likely gives him a dependable option on third downs and near the goal line. The Rams allowed three passing touchdowns in Week 1 and will be without injured star pass rusher Myles Garrett, giving Dart another chance to produce as both a passer and runner.

Other starts:

• Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
• Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

For a full look at the top QBs in the NFL right now, check out our 2026 Quarterback Rankings.

Quarterback Sit of the Week

Malik Willis: Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Willis threw for 220 yards and no touchdowns, plus gave up a pick in his Miami debut. He did add 39 rushing yards, which generated the Dolphins’ only touchdown of the matchup, but he took five sacks and the Miami offensive struggled to sustain its drives. San Francisco held reigning MVP Matthew Stafford to 155 passing yards, no touchdowns and an interception in Week 1, making Willis as risky of a start as they come this week.

Quarterbacks to Sit in Week 2

Drake Maye: New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET

Last year’s MVP runner-up, Maye had a rough start to the season against Seattle. He completed 23 of 33 attempts for 178 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 but threw three fourth-quarter interceptions and lost top wideout AJ Brown halfway through the game, which helped to seal the Patriots’ loss in their opener. Those mistakes continued a concerning run of turnovers for Maye, and New England will also be without Brown this week. Pittsburgh held Atlanta to 13 points and intercepted Cooper Rush twice in its opener, turning Maye from a must-start into a high-risk option.

Jordan Love: Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET

Love produced 387 passing yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota, but his Week 1 stat line could be a bit deceiving this week: Much of his production came after Green Bay fell behind and abandoned its running game. He attempted 42 passes, threw an interception and faced frequent pressure behind a struggling offensive line. The Jets held Cam Ward to 140 passing yards and recorded three sacks in Week 1, creating a much more difficult environment for Love this week.

Other sits:

• Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
• Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
• Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Watch NFL Football on DIRECTV

You can see all of these quarterbacks and the rest of the players on your fantasy roster rack up points all season long on by watching NFL games every week on DIRECTV.