Justin Herbert vs Lamar Jackson: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson for your lineup, you are not alone. Justin Herbert finished the 2025 season at 18.7 PPG for the Los Angeles Chargers (16 games), and Lamar Jackson averaged 17.1 for the Baltimore Ravens (13 games).
That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Justin Herbert 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.
Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Lamar Jackson (2549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Justin Herbert sits Week 5 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
