Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Marcus Mariota

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.

Wednesday, December 10, 12:47 PM

Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his seventh start of the year in Week 15 against the division-rival New York Giants, according to The Washington Post's Tashan Reed. The Commanders have ruled out Jayden Daniels (elbow) after he aggravated his elbow injury in last week's blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Daniels isn't dealing with a long-term injury, but with Washington's season essentially already over, the 32-year-old Mariota could end up starting the rest of the way for the Commanders. Although he doesn't offer a ton of fantasy football upside, Mariota has been pretty serviceable leading the team's offense in place of Daniels this year. He's completed 62.9% of his 194 pass attempts for 1,389 yards, nine TDs, and seven interceptions. Mariota averaged 186.6 passing yards and 30.8 rushing yards per game from Weeks 8-13. Consider him a midrange QB2 option in superflex leagues this weekend versus the G-Men.