Who Should I Start? Courtland Sutton or Nico Collins

Saturday, January 24, 10:35 AM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton recorded four catches for 53 yards on a team-high nine targets in Denver's AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Sutton played 85% of the Broncos' offensive snaps against Buffalo, and he should play a lead pass-catching role once again in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. However, Denver's offense will be led by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is filling in for the injured Bo Nix (ankle). The Broncos are also facing an uphill battle against a Patriots defense that has held each of its first two postseason opponents under 200 passing yards. In Stidham's most recent start for Denver, which came at the end of the 2023 regular season, Sutton recorded one catch for two yards on four targets. While much has changed for the Broncos' offense overall since that game, Sutton may struggle against a tough opponent in the AFC Championship Game, given the less-than-ideal circumstances around him.

Friday, January 16, 3:45 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) has officially been ruled out for his team's Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Collins suffered a concussion during the second half of Houston's Wild Card Round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been unable to clear the NFL's concussion protocol this week. His absence is a huge blow to the Texans' offense. Across 16 games during the regular season, Collins hauled in 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. Without him, Houston will rely more heavily on wide receivers Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson. Kirk emerged as one of the stars of the Texans' win over the Steelers, recording eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown. Houston tight end Dalton Schultz, who finished second on the team behind Collins in targets during the regular season, could also be called upon to play a larger role.