Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Sam Darnold

Monday, October 27, 3:36 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (shoulder) is being considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury after the team's Week 8 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Flacco is sore the day after the team's one-point loss. In the 39-38 loss, the 40-year-old signal-caller went 21-for-34 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 rushing yards and a third touchdown. The Bengals gave the Jets their first win of the year, but Flacco was once again very adequate for fantasy managers who had him in their starting lineups. He has thrown for over 200 yards in each of his three starts with the Bengals, and he has made receiver Ja'Marr Chase elite again. While it sounds like Flacco's injury isn't a serious one, fantasy managers will want to monitor his status ahead of the Week 9 game versus the Chicago Bears.

Friday, October 17, 8:47 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been an exciting fantasy asset of late. Unfortunately, Darnold draws a very tough matchup against the Houston Texans on Monday night. Houston is the No. 1 overall team against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy in 2025. This passing defense has done well to shut down every opposing quarterback they have played, especially over the past two games. Even Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had a pedestrian game against this defense in Week 2. Darnold's hot streak has included two straight games with at least 20 fantasy points. Additionally, Darnold has produced at least 242 passing yards in four of his past five games. Best of all, Darnold is protecting the football with just four turnovers this season. Darnold should continue to protect the ball against the Texans this week, but Houston's smothering defense may cap his overall passing output. This projects to be a lower-scoring game in a clash between two elite defenses. As such, Darnold should be rostered, but left on your bench in Week 7.