Matthew Stafford or Jacoby Brissett: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 13, 2025 season)

When you're facing a tough start/sit decision on your fantasy football team, you may end up having to choose between Matthew Stafford or Jacoby Brissett. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.

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Game Scripts

The Rams are entering this game as dominant 10-point road favorites with a dominant projected team total of 27.75 points, the 3rd highest among all 32 teams on the week 13 slate. The dominant spread suggests a very run-heavy approach while the dominant projected team total suggests endless touchdown opportunities.

The Cardinals are entering this game as slim 3-point road underdogs with a subpar projected team total of 20.75 points, the 13th fewest among all 32 teams on the week 13 slate. The narrow spread suggests a balanced offensive approach while the subpar projected team total suggests limited touchdown opportunities.

Positional Matchups

After 12 games, the Panthers present a tough matchup for QBs, holding them to the 13th fewest passing yards (220.58/game), 7th fewest passing TDs (1.17/game), and 8th fewest fantasy points per game (14.43). Just 5 QBs in 12 games — Drake Maye, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Tyler Shough — have been able to reach 15+ fantasy points against the Panthers.

After 11 games, the Buccaneers present a mouthwatering matchup for QBs, allowing the 6th most passing yards (262.27/game), 10th most passing TDs (1.73/game), 7th most rushing yards (23.18/game), 3rd most rushing touchdowns (0.36/game) and 3rd most fantasy points per game (20.08). 7 QBs in 11 games — Michael Penix, Tyrod Taylor, Jalen Hurts, Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford — scored 18+ fantasy points against the Bucs.

Matthew Stafford: Bottom Line

I expect Matthew Stafford to finish, on average, around 17–21 fantasy points on ~30–34 pass attempts (~235–260 yards), 2–3 passing TDs, 0–1 INT in a spot where a dominant 27.75 implied total boosts scoring odds but a likely run-heavy script and tough Panthers pass defense cap volume.

Jacoby Brissett: Bottom Line

I expect Jacoby Brissett to finish, on average, around 20–24 fantasy points on ~40–46 pass attempts (~295–330 yards), 1–3 passing TDs, 0–1 INT, and ~10–20 rushing yards with a small but real shot at a rushing score in a dream matchup that fits his volume-driven profile.

Should you start Matthew Stafford or Jacoby Brissett?

As I mentioned above, this is a dream matchup for Jacoby Brissett, one that is too hard to ignore. It hasn't always been pretty, but he's been getting there, and this game sets up to be a high-volume affair for him.

Week Winners + Discord = Winning your league in 2025

Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.

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