Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or Trevor Lawrence

Thursday, January 1, 2:43 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee, shoulder) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday and has been cleared to play in Saturday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Mayfield is nursing knee and shoulder injuries, but he will be active as the Bucs look to win the NFC South this weekend with a win over Carolina and a loss by the Falcons to the Saints. The 30-year-old won't be a very inspiring QB1 option for fantasy managers still playing for something in Week 18, although he is coming off a 346-yard passing effort with two touchdowns in last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the first meeting against the Panthers two weeks ago, Mayfield threw for only 145 yards with a touchdown and an interception. After four straight games without multiple passing TDs, Mayfield has two TD passes in two of his last three games.

Sunday, January 11, 9:34 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was one of the top-scoring fantasy players during the second half of the regular season, and he carries tremendous momentum into Sunday's Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Lawrence has 18 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns over his last seven games, ranking as the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback during that span. Although he has been playing at a high level, he'll run into a difficult matchup this weekend. The Bills have allowed the fewest passing yards and fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2025. On a more positive note, Buffalo has surrendered the fifth-most rushing yards to the position. That bodes well for Lawrence, who has shown a tendency to use his legs, especially against tougher passing defenses. Sunday's game won't be easy, but the former No. 1 pick from Clemson is up for the challenge. His rushing and touchdown upside make him an intriguing DFS play in what could be a higher-scoring game.