Who Should I Start? Jameis Winston or Brandon Allen

Friday, December 20, 3:08 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (shoulder) is considered questionable to suit up on Sunday to face the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. Winston was benched in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after uncorking three more interceptions and is now dealing with a sore right shoulder. The Browns announced earlier this week that Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start this weekend against the Bengals, so if Winston is available, he'll serve as the backup. If he doesn't get the green light, former New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe would be DTR's backup. The 30-year-old Winston initially gave the offense a jolt when Deshaun Watson (Achilles) went down with a season-ending injury, but in the end, his turnover-prone ways were too much to overcome. With Winston heading into free agency after the season, this will be DTR's show in the final three games.

Friday, November 29, 10:13 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen could get a second consecutive start filling in for starter Brock Purdy (shoulder) when the 49ers play at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that he expects Purdy to play, but "lots of things could happen between now and then." In last week's 38-10 loss to the Packers in Green Bay, Allen completed 17-of-29 attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In 10 career starts, Allen has only provided two fantasy-useful performances: A two-touchdown, 193-yard, zero-interception performance in his first career start with Denver back in 2019 and a two-touchdown, 371-yard, zero-interception game with the Bengals in 2021. A large snowstorm is predicted on Sunday in Western New York, and although most of the snow is supposed to fall before kickoff, it could still be windy. Even in perfect weather, the career-backup Allen would not be a recommended fantasy starter against a good Buffalo passing defense.