Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Brock Purdy

Sunday, November 23, 9:38 AM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco will get one more opportunity to start after Joe Burrow (toe) was ruled out for Sunday's Week 12 contest against the New England Patriots. While Burrow was trending in the right direction for this week, the Bengals have ultimately decided to keep him on injured reserve for at least a few more days. As a result, Flacco will remain installed as Cincinnati's starting quarterback for Week 12. He's coming off an uninspiring 199-yard clunker against the Steelers, and although he has five touchdowns over his last two games, he also has four turnovers during that span. To make matters worse, he'll be without Ja'Marr Chase (suspension), shifting Tee Higgins to the top receiver role. New England's defense has been strong this season, but it's best at stopping the run. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most passing yards, seventh-most passing touchdowns, and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. This matchup and situation are best defined as "good, not great." That sentiment is reflected in RotoBaller's ranking of Burrow as the overall QB17 this week.

Tuesday, November 25, 10:47 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) went 23-for-32 for 193 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in Monday's 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also had 16 rushing yards on six carries. Purdy struggled to connect with his receivers on intermediate and deep routes, completing just one of his eight attempts of 10 yards or more. All three of his interceptions came on shots 20 yards downfield or longer. In postgame comments, Purdy insisted his picks had nothing to do with the turf toe injury that has cost him eight games this season. The 49ers will travel to Cleveland in Week 13 to face the Browns, whose defense has allowed the third-fewest passing yards and owns the highest sack rate in the league. Purdy projects as a QB2 against that stout defense in what will be a cold-weather game.