Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Caleb Williams

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.

Saturday, December 27, 4:52 PM

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is coming off a stellar Week 16 performance, totaling 250 passing yards and two touchdowns, plus 30 rushing yards, in the thrilling overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers. Alongside head coach Ben Johnson, Williams has led the Bears to an 11-4 record and could clinch the NFC North with a Week 17 win and a Packers loss. He faces the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, who have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. In Week 16, the 49ers defense allowed 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to total 277 passing yards and two touchdowns. With good weather expected, Williams offers upside as a QB2 against this injury-plagued 49ers defense.