Start Bucky Irving or Saquon Barkley?
Week 1 start/sit. Our Clutch Score projects each player's points this week from matchup, Vegas odds, usage and injury status, then calls who to start.
RBBucky IrvingTB · RB11
RBSaquon BarkleyPHI · RB28Who to start
Strong startSaquon Barkley- Higher Clutch Score this week: 15.4 vs 10.4 projected points.
- Better matchup (vs WAS, Easy).
- Stronger baseline projection (14.5 vs 11.6 pts/game).
Bucky Irving and Saquon Barkley are a Week 1 start/sit call at running back. Bucky Irving travels to CIN (hard matchup) and Saquon Barkley hosts WAS (easy matchup). The Clutch Score projects Saquon Barkley for 15.4 PPR points to Bucky Irving's 10.4.
Start Saquon Barkley on the softer matchup and the stronger baseline projection.
This week, side by side
| Stat | Irving | Barkley |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch Score (Wk 1) | 10.4 | 15.4 |
| Baseline proj / game | 11.6 | 14.5 |
| Points / game (season) | 20.3 | 9.0 |
| Snap share | 0% | 0% |
| Red-zone touches | 2 | 2 |
Clutch Score is our Week 1 projection (PPR). Higher value wins each row.
Drafting rather than setting a lineup? See the season-long Bucky Irving vs Saquon Barkley comparison.
Frequently asked
Should I start Bucky Irving or Saquon Barkley in Week 1?
Start Saquon Barkley in Week 1, on the softer matchup and the stronger baseline projection. The Clutch Score projects 15.4 PPR points to Bucky Irving's 10.4.
Who is projected to score more this week, Bucky Irving or Saquon Barkley?
Our Clutch Score projects Saquon Barkley for 15.4 PPR points in Week 1, compared with 10.4 for Bucky Irving.
Who has the better matchup, Bucky Irving or Saquon Barkley?
Bucky Irving plays at CIN (hard) and Saquon Barkley hosts WAS (easy). Saquon Barkley draws the more favorable matchup in Week 1.
More start/sit calls
Clutch Score blends the season projection with this week’s matchup, Vegas implied total and injury status. Data via the Sleeper API and ESPN, refreshed daily.