Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or J.J. McCarthy

Friday, October 10, 10:01 AM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, whom the team acquired in a trade from the division-rival Cleveland Browns, will make his debut and start on Sunday at the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. This will now be the second time this season Flacco will go up against this Packer defense, but this time with a different team in Ohio. For the most part, Flacco has not played well enough in 2025 to be rostered in any league formats, averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game, and has no rushing upside; however, the playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, primarily Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, are much more explosive and proven in the NFL than the pass-catchers Flacco was throwing to for the Browns. Regardless, the offensive line for the Bengals is a mess, and Flacco is nothing more than a stash in superflex or two-quarterback leagues for now.

Tuesday, October 7, 6:41 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will get "extensive work" on the field during the team's bye this week, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy is officially returning to practice this week after missing three games due to a high right-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Veteran Carson Wentz one two of his three starts with McCarthy sidelined, although he did suffer a left-shoulder injury in the Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns in London that the team will monitor this week. McCarthy led a comeback in Week 1 over the Chicago Bears but looked like a rookie in Week 2 while playing through his ankle injury. O'Connell didn't exactly commit to McCarthy starting in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles coming off the bye, so if Wentz's shoulder is alright, the veteran could make a fourth straight start.