Who Should I Start? Brock Purdy or C.J. Stroud

Tuesday, December 2, 11:35 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy went 16-for-29 for 168 yards and one touchdown in the team's 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Purdy's production reached season lows in completions, completion rate, and passing yards, but it was enough to finish as a top-12 quarterback in fantasy. Despite Purdy's mediocre stat line, it was an improvement over his performance against the Panthers, when he threw three interceptions and completed just one pass of 10 air yards or more. Against Cleveland, Purdy managed to complete six of his 11 such pass attempts, including a 30-yard bomb to George Kittle that set up a chip-shot field goal for Matt Gay at the end of the first half. San Francisco is on bye in Week 14, but it has favorable matchups in the fantasy football playoffs with meetings against the Titans in Week 15 and the Bears in Week 17.

Thursday, December 4, 10:44 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud returned from his concussion last week against the Colts and led his team to a fourth straight win. After starting 0-3, Stroud's Texans are 7-5 and pushing for a playoff spot. In his return, he completed 22 of 35 passes for 276 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. In his nine games, he has racked up 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions. In their recent charge, though, the team has relied more heavily on the passing game, and Stroud has aired it out with 35+ pass attempts in each of his last three full games. He and the Texans face another critical matchup this week on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs. It should be a great game, and Stroud and the Texans have favorable home matchups against the Cardinals and Raiders after Sunday night's road showdown. Stroud is a fringe option in single-QB leagues and a strong second QB in dual-QB leagues, as he tries to guide his team back to the postseason again this season.