Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Justin Herbert

Tuesday, October 7, 1:43 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals are acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In exchange for Flacco, the Bengals will send a fifth-round pick to Cleveland and will also receive a sixth-rounder. Flacco was benched for rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in Week 5, but now he'll have another shot to start in 2025 as a replacement for the struggling Jake Browning, who has thrown six touchdowns and eight interceptions in four games (three starts) with Joe Burrow (toe) on Injured Reserve. Flacco, 40, is no stranger to turnovers himself, though, and he wasn't exactly looking great in four starts for the Browns before being benched. Flacco had gone 93-for-160 for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six picks. He'll bring a more veteran presence that will look to feed receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins down the field, but it's not much of an upgrade over Browning, if at all.

Monday, October 6, 5:40 PM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had his worst game of the season, completing 22 of 29 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the team's 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders. The offense looked disorganized, burdened by costly penalties and sloppy play for most of the afternoon. Herbert also led the team in rushing with four carries for 60 yards, showing how often he was pressured behind a depleted offensive line. Herbert has been hit 35 times in the last three games, as a wave of injuries on the offensive line continues to mount. As the team prepares for Week 6 against a struggling Miami Dolphins defense, the Chargers might need to rely more on the passing game since they just placed rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on IR. Herbert should have a chance to bounce back if his offensive line can give him some protection.