Isaiah Likely or Jeremiyah Love: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Likely’s expanded slot role offsets Love’s higher ceiling

Isaiah Likely offers the steadier path, but Jeremiyah Love’s superior projection keeps this matchup level. Love’s RB11 standing and explosive profile are appealing, yet Arizona’s 17-point implied total, committee context and ankle concern make his workload fragile (azcardinals.com 2026-09-08; ESPN 2026-09-11). Likely’s lower TE14 projection is more competitive than it appears because a 23.5-point team total supports his red-zone role, while the Giants plan to use him as a big slot receiver (Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) 2026-09-02). Likely is the safer start, but Love can still win this head-to-head if his ankle does not limit his touches.

What flips it: A late report that Love will handle a full workload.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) · Sep 2, 2026 · azcardinals.com · Sep 8, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 11, 2026

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs DAL

Projected Points

Start· medium
Jeremiyah Love

Jeremiyah Love

RB11ARIvs LAC

Projected Points

Sit

Isaiah Likely’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-113 / -113
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 37.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+340
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Jeremiyah Love’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 38.5
-113 / -111
REC
O/U 2.5
+109 / -140
REC YDS
O/U 15.5
-115 / -109
ATD
Anytime TD
+210
DAL@
NYGSun, Sep 13, 8:20 PM ETView the game →
ARI@
LACSun, Sep 13, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why Isaiah Likely

Start· medium

Starting TE and pass-catching mismatch. Athletic seam-stretcher with red-zone flex ability.

TE14 with a 9.5-point projection, 59% snaps and a 14% target share in a near-pick'em game — startable volume at a thin position.

  • The planned big-slot role could give Likely receiver-like routes if New York is short on wideouts.
  • His red-zone mismatch ability benefits from a favorable scoring environment, not just tight-end scarcity.

The call

  • 9.5 projected PPR points is a real TE1-fringe number; at a position where the back half of starting lineups routinely lives on 6-7 points, TE14 with this projection clears the replacement bar.
  • Role is stable and healthy: 59% snap share and a 14% target share over 11 games, no injury designation, and he sits atop the TE depth slot.
  • Game script cooperates — a 1.5-point spread and a 23.5 implied team total point to a competitive, two-way passing game rather than a run-out-the-clock blowout in either direction.
  • The one sourced line describes a Giants 'big slot' plan and doesn't square with this matchup, so it's unverified noise — the call rests on the snap/target profile, not that report.

Latest on Likely

Scheme

With only five wide receivers on the projected depth chart, the Giants plan to deploy tight end Isaiah Likely as a 'big slot receiver' to offset a possible shortage if Malik Nabers isn't fully ready for Week 1.

Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) · Sep 2, 2026

Why Jeremiyah Love

Sit

Rookie RB in a committee backfield. Explosive big-play back with breakaway speed and pass-game receiving upside.

Sit — RB11 consensus, projects RB18 this week: 17.0 implied team total caps the ceiling, Questionable on the latest report.

  • Love’s breakaway speed and receiving upside give him the matchup-winning ceiling if his ankle holds up.
  • The injury is a workload risk, not simply a game-status concern; limited practice could reduce his early touches.

Latest on Love

Status

Jeremiyah Love should play in Week 1 after returning to practice from an ankle injury.

Promising Outlook For Jeremiyah Love After Cardinals Elevate CB Kalen Kingazcardinals.com · Sep 12, 2026
Status

Jeremiyah Love has been a limited participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice.

Source: Cardinals RB Love (ankle) expected to play in openerESPN · Sep 11, 2026
Status

Jeremiyah Love is expected to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers despite his high ankle sprain.

Source: Cardinals RB Love (ankle) expected to play in openerESPN · Sep 11, 2026
Jeremiyah Love Itching To Play In Opener, But Waiting For Coach's Call

Rookie running back still limited in practice with ankle injury

azcardinals.com · Sep 10, 2026
Even If Jeremiyah Love Is 'The Guy,' Likely Won't Have As Many Carries As You Think

Cardinals expected to give running back help with workload

azcardinals.com · Sep 8, 2026
Cards' Mike LaFleur optimistic Jeremiyah Love plays in Week 1

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur is optimistic that rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will be able to play Sunday at the Chargers, about four weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in a preseason game.

ESPN · Sep 7, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyJeremiyah Love
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14RB11
Opponent vs positionDALno ranking yetLACno ranking yet
Target share14%(2025)—
Reception share15%(2025)—
Implied total · spread23.5+1.517.0+11.5
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share59%(2025)—
Injury designation—questionable

Signal breakdown

  • 9.5 vs 13.9 projected PPR pointsJeremiyah Love +
  • Rank 14 vs 11Jeremiyah Love +
  • Matchup (DvP composite)even
  • Implied 23.5 vs 17.0 team pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • no designation vs questionableIsaiah Likely +
  • Snap shareeven

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