Who Should I Start? Brandon Allen or Caleb Williams

Friday, November 29, 10:13 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen could get a second consecutive start filling in for starter Brock Purdy (shoulder) when the 49ers play at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that he expects Purdy to play, but "lots of things could happen between now and then." In last week's 38-10 loss to the Packers in Green Bay, Allen completed 17-of-29 attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In 10 career starts, Allen has only provided two fantasy-useful performances: A two-touchdown, 193-yard, zero-interception performance in his first career start with Denver back in 2019 and a two-touchdown, 371-yard, zero-interception game with the Bengals in 2021. A large snowstorm is predicted on Sunday in Western New York, and although most of the snow is supposed to fall before kickoff, it could still be windy. Even in perfect weather, the career-backup Allen would not be a recommended fantasy starter against a good Buffalo passing defense.

Thursday, November 28, 4:10 PM

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went 20-for-39 with 256 yards and three scores in his loss to the Detroit Lions. After throwing for just 34 yards and no scores in the first half, the USC product flipped the script and fell just short of completing a comeback. He tallied his first score on a 31-yard strike to Keenan Allen in the third quarter. He then found Allen again on a nine-yard pass and wide receiver DJ Moore on a 31-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Williams also added 39 yards on the ground. Since Week 11, Williams has begun to turn the corner. He has thrown for at least 200+ yards in each game during this span and has tallied at least two passing scores in each of his past two. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a low-end QB1 heading into a Week 14 tilt against the San Francisco 49ers.