Who Should I Start? Brandon Allen or Patrick Mahomes

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.

Wednesday, January 15, 7:57 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is well on his way to being available for the Divisional Round game this Saturday against the visiting Houston Texans after putting in a second straight full practice this week on Wednesday. Mahomes suffered a right high-ankle sprain in a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 but managed to play the following two weeks before being rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. He's now had the last two weeks to heal up with the Chiefs having a bye in the wild-card round. Although the 29-year-old might not be 100%, he should be well enough to play as the Chiefs seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title. Mahomes was only the QB11 in fantasy during the regular season, though, and his fantasy ceiling won't be very high against an underrated Houston defense this weekend.