C.J. Stroud vs Matthew Stafford: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between C.J. Stroud and Matthew Stafford for your lineup, you are not alone. C.J. Stroud finished the 2025 season at 15.5 PPG for the Houston Texans (14 games), and Matthew Stafford averaged 21.1 for the Los Angeles Rams (17 games).
That 5.6-point weekly advantage for Matthew Stafford is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
C.J. Stroud has his bye in Week 14, and Matthew Stafford rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
