Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert

Monday, December 29, 12:54 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Although both teams are eliminated from the playoffs, Taylor said starting Burrow gives the team the best chance to win, and the Bengals are trying to close out a disappointing 2025 season with a three-game winning streak. Since Week 11, Cincy's offense ranks fourth in the league in third-down conversions and is sixth in red-zone efficiency. On the defensive side of things, the Bengals rank eighth in the NFL in third-down conversions and are 12th in red-zone efficiency. In the Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Burrow went 24-for-31 passing for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. Burrow has made only seven starts in 2025 due to a turf-toe injury that required surgery, but he's now gone over 300 passing yards in back-to-back games with six TDs and no picks. Burrow will have a challenge to make it three straight 300-yard games to close out the year in Week 18 against a stout Browns defense.

Monday, December 29, 4:47 PM

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that quarterback Justin Herbert won't play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale on the road against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Harbaugh said that other starters with "the most bruises" and need "the most healing" won't play either. Herbert has been playing through a fractured left hand for weeks, but he's been practicing in full and hasn't missed any time. The Bolts are electing to give the 27-year-old signal-caller some extra rest before the start of the postseason. With Herbert sitting this Sunday, backup Trey Lance will be thrust into a starting role, and it remains to be seen what other offensive skill players the Bolts might rest. With a win this weekend, the Broncos would clinch the top seed in the AFC and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.