Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Anthony Richardson

Friday, December 20, 3:43 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (knee) practiced in full all week and has been removed from the final Week 16 injury report. Smith will start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings despite being pulled from the Sunday night loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 and never returning. Not only is it great news for fantasy managers looking to use Smith in two-QB leagues this week, but it's also excellent news for anyone with receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf in their lineups. The 34-year-old Smith's mobility will most likely affected -- not that he was much of a threat to run to begin with. The two-time Pro Bowler comes into Week 16 action averaging 19.4 fantasy points per game, which is tied with Joe Flacco for 16th among all QBs in 2024. Against an aggressive Vikings defense, Smith checks in as a volatile QB2 for fantasy managers in the semifinals in most leagues.

Friday, December 20, 5:28 PM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson found the end zone via the rush for the fourth time in the last four weeks in Week 15, but had another horrendous day throwing the football, completing 50% or less of his passes for the eighth time in the nine full games he's played in 2024 while throwing two interceptions. Things won't get any easier in Week 16 as the Colts have a divisional matchup with the Titans who have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Wide receiver Alec Pierce has been ruled out after sustaining a concussion last week, which actually may help improve the 22-year-old's completion rate since he likes to throw the ball deep and Pierce leads the entire NFL in average depth of target. Therefore, targets could be focused more on intermediate, higher-percentage throws. Regardless of whether or not that holds true, with fantasy titles hanging in the balance, managers who are streaming QBs will want to look elsewhere if possible as the former first-round draft pick projects only as a mid-range QB2 in Week 16.