Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or Tyler Shough

Thursday, December 4, 5:37 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) continues to manage an AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder that he suffered in Week 12, but he was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after putting in a limited session on Wednesday. In the Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Mayfield went 18-for-28 passing for 194 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while running for 27 yards. The 30-year-old veteran might be dealing with his left-shoulder injury the rest of the year, but he will be active for a Week 14 divisional contest this Sunday against the 2-10 New Orleans Saints. Don't be fooled by the Saints' record. Their defense is their strength, and they've allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs the last three weeks. In the first meeting with New Orleans, Mayfield went 15-for-24 passing for 152 yards with no TDs or interceptions. He'll be in play as a low-end QB1 in fantasy this weekend, and he could be getting top receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) back from IR.

Saturday, December 6, 12:18 AM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 26 of 38 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the Week 13 loss to the Dolphins. He also added six carries for 18 yards and lost a fumble. Shough is averaging 40.5 pass attempts per game over his last two contests, and with the Saints unable to establish a consistent rushing attack, he'll be forced to continue airing it out. As a starter, Shough is averaging 235 passing yards per game with a 5:3 TD:INT ratio. With Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) ruled out, additional volume could once again be on the table in the passing game when the Saints travel to Tampa Bay in Week 14 to face a Buccaneers defense allowing 247.5 passing yards per game, fourth-most in the NFL. Shough will rank as a QB2 for the contest.