Who Should I Start? Joshua Dobbs or Joe Burrow

Saturday, August 16, 6:36 PM

New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs completed 11 of his 16 pass attempts for 106 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Saturday's preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran backup looked solid, albeit against the Vikings' second-team defense. With only Drake Maye and Ben Wooldridge alongside him in the Patriots' quarterback room, Dobbs is in line to earn the backup job ahead of Week 1. The 30-year-old has seen increased opportunities over the last few seasons, including the 2023 campaign in which he threw for 13 touchdowns with the Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. He spent 2024 backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco but did attempt 47 passes through two games (one start). If Maye were to suffer an injury, Dobbs possesses the experience, mobility, and arm needed to keep the Patriots competitive down the stretch.

Saturday, November 22, 9:12 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is trending toward playing on Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Burrow and the Bengals reportedly met every day this week regarding his health and then decided on Friday to wait another week to give Joe Flacco enough practice reps with the starters. The 28-year-old pushed to play and didn't have any setbacks in practice this week, but the team's quick turnaround on Thursday night in Week 13 was a key part of the decision to hold him out. Burrow has been sidelined since Week 2 after undergoing surgery to repair his Grade 3 turf toe and looks set to return for a big divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night. Flacco will have one more run as the Bengals starter and will rank as a high-end QB2 in a potential shootout against the Patriots on Sunday.