Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Jared Goff

Friday, December 12, 5:47 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) was unable to practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 15 contest this Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, according to the team's website. Kenny Pickett will draw his first start with the Raiders against his old team in potentially snowy conditions, making him a desperation QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues. Smith injured his right throwing shoulder in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos, although it's not considered a serious injury, and he could make it back next week against the Houston Texans. However, if Pickett plays well this weekend, the Raiders could bench the struggling Smith for the final three games of the year. The 35-year-old Smith hasn't had much help from his offensive line, but he's been one of the worst starting QBs in the NFL this year, completing 67% of his passes for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a league-high 14 interceptions while taking a league-high 49 sacks.

Saturday, December 13, 12:15 AM

Across 13 games this season, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 70.1% of his pass attempts for 3,334 yards, 26 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Entering Week 15, the 31-year-old has thrown for at least 255 passing yards in six straight games. In Week 15, Goff will face a difficult matchup on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Through 14 weeks, the Rams' defense is allowing the seventh-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.5) in the NFL. The Rams have also excelled at forcing turnovers, as they rank sixth in the league with 13 interceptions. With the Lions' defense struggling and their interior offensive line dealing with injuries, Goff has been forced into more pass attempts in recent weeks. After topping the 30-pass-attempt mark just once over the season's first seven weeks, he's attempted at least 33 passes in five out of his last six games. If that trend continues, Goff could have a chance to put up some numbers against Los Angeles, even without high-end efficiency. He profiles as a low-end fantasy QB1 in Week 15.