Start Cam Ward or Sam Darnold?

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.

QBCam WardTEN · QB22

13.5Clutch · Wk 1vs NYJ

QBSam DarnoldSEA · QB13

13.6Clutch · Wk 1vs NE

Who to start

Slight lean

Sam Darnold

Higher Clutch Score this week: 13.6 vs 13.5 projected points.
Stronger baseline projection (15.5 vs 13.4 pts/game).

This week, side by side

Stat	Ward	Darnold
Clutch Score (Wk 1)	13.5	13.6
Baseline proj / game	13.4	15.5
Points / game (season)	11.4	14.7
Snap share	100%	96%
Red-zone touches	10	6

Clutch Score is our Week 1 projection (PPR). Higher value wins each row.

Drafting rather than setting a lineup? See the season-long Cam Ward vs Sam Darnold comparison.

More start/sit calls

Cam Ward or Daniel Jones Cam Ward or C.J. Stroud Cam Ward or Bryce Young Sam Darnold or C.J. Stroud Sam Darnold or Malik Willis Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones

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.