Start Matthew Stafford 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.

QBMatthew StaffordLAR · QB3

15.7Clutch · Wk 1vs SF

QBSam DarnoldSEA · QB13

13.6Clutch · Wk 1vs NE

Who to start

Clear start

Matthew Stafford

Higher Clutch Score this week: 15.7 vs 13.6 projected points.
Better matchup (vs SF, Medium).
Stronger baseline projection (16.5 vs 15.5 pts/game).

This week, side by side

Stat	Stafford	Darnold
Clutch Score (Wk 1)	15.7	13.6
Baseline proj / game	16.5	15.5
Points / game (season)	21.1	14.7
Snap share	99%	96%
Red-zone touches	7	6

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

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

More start/sit calls

Matthew Stafford or Bo Nix Matthew Stafford or Jared Goff Matthew Stafford or Patrick Mahomes Matthew Stafford or Kyler Murray Sam Darnold or C.J. Stroud Sam Darnold or Cam Ward

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.