Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Geno Smith

Sunday, November 2, 11:49 AM

Carolina Panthers veteran quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) is active for the Week 9 contest against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and will serve as the backup to Bryce Young, who is returning from a one-game absence due to an ankle sprain, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The 38-year-old Dalton made his first start of the year in place of the injured Young last weekend and fell flat in the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, going 16-for-24 passing for 175 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Red Rifle sustained a broken right thumb in the process, which limited him in practice this week. Dalton is apparently good to go as the backup this weekend, though, so third-stringer Mike White will be a healthy scratch.

Saturday, December 20, 7:20 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) will return this Sunday on the road in Houston against the top-rated Texans defense in Week 16. He practiced in full all week and was removed from the team's injury report heading into Sunday's game. Smith has failed to pass over 175 yards in five of his last eight starts, and the Texans have held opposing quarterbacks to a league-best 12.9 fantasy points per game this season. In his previous start in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos, Smith completed 13 of his 21 pass attempts for 116 yards and one touchdown. In Week 16, the veteran quarterback will need to rely on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers for short, quick passes as the Texans' defense allows quarterbacks a mere 2.73 seconds to throw, which is tied for first in the league. Only desperate two-QB Superflex league fantasy managers should consider the 35-year-old Smith as a starter in Week 16.