Carson Wentz or Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Start Wentz: his locked-in role outweighs Croskey-Merritt’s better scoring environment

Start Carson Wentz: his Week 2 starting job is confirmed, giving him a sturdier role than Croskey-Merritt’s still-split workload (ESPN 2026-09-18). Washington’s higher team total and Croskey-Merritt’s lead-back status keep this close, but a 49% snap share and 3% target share leave little margin if the script turns pass-heavy. Wentz’s risk is his aggressive, turnover-prone pocket style, yet his commanding playing-time share gives him more ways to overcome Minnesota’s modest scoring outlook.

What flips it: A meaningful expansion of Croskey-Merritt’s passing-game role.

Sources: ESPN · Sep 18, 2026

AI editor

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz

QBMINvs CHI

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RB41WSHvs DAL

Projected Points

Start

Carson Wentz’s market

PASS YDS
O/U 212.5
-115 / -115
Passing Yards Props →
PASS TD
O/U 1.5
+128 / -164
Passing Touchdowns Props →
INT
O/U 0.5
-133 / +104
Interceptions Thrown Props →
RUSH YDS
O/U 8.5
-114 / -110

Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 50.5
-113 / -113
Rushing Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+105
Anytime Touchdown Props →
MIN@
CHISun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
WSH@
DALSun, Sep 20, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why Carson Wentz

Toss-Up· medium

QB2 and veteran spot-start option. Big-armed pocket passer with aggressive downfield mentality and turnover risk; started multiple games in relief last season.

Wentz is confirmed to start Week 2, but 16.9 projected points and a 21.0 implied total make him a back-end QB1/streamer, not a lock.

  • Confirmed starter status removes the biggest role question entering the week.
  • His downfield style offers a ceiling beyond a pure volume-based projection, though turnovers remain the cost.

The call

  • Role is locked: O'Connell confirmed Wentz as the Week 2 starter with Murray out, so there's no snap-share or committee risk under center.
  • The projection (16.9) lands in QB2/streamer territory for a 12-team league — fine as a fill-in, not a clear upgrade over a typical replacement.
  • Matchup grades mildly favorable at 22 of 32 vs the position, but it's a 1-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so don't lean on it.
  • Game script helps: as a 3.5-point underdog with only a 21.0 implied total, Wentz should throw plenty — volume is the path to a usable line. If your alternative is a bye-week fill or a QB in a low-total game, start him.

Latest on Wentz

Role

Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for the Vikings in Week 2 against the Bears.

Vikings to start QB Wentz vs. Bears with Murray still on the mendESPN, vikings.com · Sep 18, 2026
Carson Wentz to start for Vikings in Week 2

Kevin Seifert discusses the QB situation in Minnesota.

VideoESPN · Sep 18, 2026
Carson Wentz puts on impressive performance vs. Packers

Kevin Seifert on Carson Wentz's performance after replacing Kyler Murray in the Vikings' Week 1 win over the Packers.

VideoESPN · Sep 14, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Start

Lead back and volume runner. Decisive one-cut rusher with tackle-breaking contact balance; limited passing-game work.

Start — RB41 consensus, projects RB31 this week: 3% target share, 10.2 PPR projected vs DAL.

  • Lead-back status gives him a credible touchdown path in Washington’s stronger scoring environment.
  • Limited passing-game involvement makes him vulnerable if Dallas forces a pass-heavy script.

Latest on Croskey-Merritt

Oweh (calf) among 4 Commanders players cleared to play vs. Eagles

The Commanders have cleared Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Daron Payne to play in Sunday's season opener against the Eagles.

ESPN · Sep 11, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricCarson WentzJacory Croskey-Merritt
Projected points
Consensus rank—RB41
Opponent vs positionCHI · 22 of 321-game sampleDAL · 17 of 321-game sample
Passing Yards31 of 32—
Passing TDs24 of 32—
Passing Completions22 of 32—
Passing Attempts27 of 32—
Interceptions4 of 32—
Rushing Yards—22 of 32
Rushing TDs—15 of 32
Rushing Attempts—21 of 32
Receptions—12 of 32
Receiving Yards—11 of 32
Anytime TD—22 of 32
Target share—3%
Reception share—6%
Implied total · spread21.0+3.523.5+4.5
Depth chartQB2RB1
Snap share83%49%
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up—

Recent form

Carson Wentz — last 1 week

Week 1vs GB

Jacory Croskey-Merritt — last 1 week

Week 1vs PHI

Signal breakdown

  • 16.9 vs 10.2 projected PPR pointsCarson Wentz +
  • Consensus position rankeven
  • Opponent DvP rank 22 vs 17 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 21.0 vs 23.5 team pointsJacory Croskey-Merritt +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 83% vs 49% snap shareCarson Wentz +

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