Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or Brock Purdy

Friday, September 5, 10:11 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign. The signal-caller finished the year by throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, both the highest marks in the National Football League. Without question, he had an MVP-caliber season. Unfortunately, the Bengals defense struggled, resulting in Cincinnati finishing with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs. With a meeting with the Cleveland Browns on the horizon, Burrow and company will look to begin the year with a win. Last season, the 28-year-old played well enough against the Browns, combining for 433 yards and five touchdowns (no interceptions) off 38-for-55 passing. With that said, Burrow should remain productive in Week 1, considering he'll have Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown at his disposal. It's also realistic to assume he could finish as the week's top producer at the position, so he must be starting in any fantasy format imaginable.

Monday, September 8, 6:47 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder, toe) is dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder and toe injury that "make him uncertain" to play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said team will see how Purdy's practice week goes, but if he cannot play, backup Mac Jones would be in line to start this Sunday. In addition to Purdy's injuries, tight end George Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks that is expected to sideline him multiple weeks, while receiver Jauan Jennings also injured his shoulder. Purdy went 26-for-35 passing for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two picks in Week 1 but could now miss a juicy matchup against the Saints. If Jones is forced to start this weekend, he'd be a desperation low-end QB2 in superflex formats with limited weapons in the passing game.