Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Jordan Love

Wednesday, December 31, 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend. Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.

Tuesday, January 6, 3:21 PM

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) will start on Saturday in the Wild-Card playoff game against the division-rival Chicago Bears after missing more than two and a half games due to a concussion, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "There's nobody else I'd rather have than Jordan," head coach Matt LaFleur said. Love has not played since suffering a concussion in the second half of the Week 16 loss to the Bears. The 27-year-old mostly had a normal week of practice last week before being held out of the Week 18 regular-season loss to the Minnesota Vikings, so he shouldn't have any limitations this weekend on the road. In the first meeting with Chicago on Dec. 7, Love threw for 234 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick. Chicago's defense allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs in 18 weeks, so Love, coming off injury, will be in play as a QB sleeper play in the first round in fantasy playoff leagues.