Who Should I Start? Blaine Gabbert or Brock Purdy

Monday, January 8, 1:51 AM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert wasn't asked to do much in Sunday's 13-12 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 15-of-30 passes for 154 yards and an interception with five carries for 46 yards. With the Chiefs resting most of their top skill positions in a game with no playoff implications, Gabbert understandably had a difficult time moving the ball and sustaining drives. The 34-year-old veteran looked spry, though, on 25- and 14-yard scampers to set up a go-ahead field-goal drive during the fourth quarter. Gabbert served his purpose in Week 18 to bridge the gap between this meaningless contest and K.C.'s postseason endeavors, and he will head back to the sidelines as Patrick Mahomes' backup when the team hosts the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night for Wild Card action.

Saturday, September 14, 12:36 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will try to pick up a second-straight win in a Week 2 matchup versus the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday. He'll be going up against a defense that was almost exactly league-average in 2023 for fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks, but who held Purdy to 272 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown last year (albeit without stud tackle Trent Williams and receiver Deebo Samuel). The Vikings made mostly minor changes to their defensive personnel in the offseason, most notably losing standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter and replacing him with first-round pick Dallas Turner. In their opener last week, the Vikings made New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones look horrible but how much credit goes to the defense versus Jones' ineptitude is debatable. Last week, Purdy was solid but rather unhelpful for fantasy managers in a home victory over the New York Jets, with 231 yards passing, 11 yards rushing, and no touchdowns or picks. At any rate, he'll have his whole complement of receivers in this one -- save for running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) -- so Purdy should be in for a decent day, especially with wideout Brandon Aiyuk getting another week of practice under his belt. Look for Purdy to find the end zone in Week 2, as he sits on the fantasy QB1/2 border.