Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Geno Smith

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.

Sunday, December 28, 8:34 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New York Giants, according to head coach Pete Carroll. Smith suffered the injury during the fourth quarter while attempting to make a play on a Giants interception return. The veteran quarterback has found himself involved in several of those plays this year, as he leads the entire NFL with 17 interceptions. High-ankle sprains are typically multiple-week injuries, and even if Smith had a chance to play next week, it's tough to imagine the eliminated Raiders would rush him back. Kenny Pickett should start at quarterback in Vegas' regular-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Raiders lose, they would clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.