Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Marcus Mariota

Saturday, December 13, 12:19 AM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen enters the Week 15 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs on a decline, having caught all three of his targets for just 22 yards last week. Since Week 7, Allen has only caught 19 passes compared to 44 in the first seven weeks. The Chiefs, who have allowed the ninth fewest passing yards this season, are a tough matchup, though the potential questionable status of their top defensive back, Trent McDuffie (knee), could slightly help the passing game. However, with the offensive line battered, Justin Herbert playing injured, and the team leaning on the run, Allen's floor and ceiling are considerably lower. RotoBaller ranks Allen at WR53 this week. Unless the Chargers fall behind early by multiple scores or if fellow wide receiver Quentin Johnston (groin) is ruled out, Allen remains an unreliable WR5 who should only be started in deeper leagues.

Wednesday, December 10, 12:47 PM

Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his seventh start of the year in Week 15 against the division-rival New York Giants, according to The Washington Post's Tashan Reed. The Commanders have ruled out Jayden Daniels (elbow) after he aggravated his elbow injury in last week's blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Daniels isn't dealing with a long-term injury, but with Washington's season essentially already over, the 32-year-old Mariota could end up starting the rest of the way for the Commanders. Although he doesn't offer a ton of fantasy football upside, Mariota has been pretty serviceable leading the team's offense in place of Daniels this year. He's completed 62.9% of his 194 pass attempts for 1,389 yards, nine TDs, and seven interceptions. Mariota averaged 186.6 passing yards and 30.8 rushing yards per game from Weeks 8-13. Consider him a midrange QB2 option in superflex leagues this weekend versus the G-Men.