Marcus Mariota vs Tua Tagovailoa: Who Should You Start?
Marcus Mariota (12.0 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (12.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Marcus Mariota played 11 games for the Washington Commanders; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Atlanta Falcons.
A 0.6-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Marcus Mariota threw for 1695 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Marcus Mariota sits Week 14 while Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
