Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or Brock Purdy

Friday, January 2, 7:24 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll refused to name a starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. "You'll see on Sunday," Carroll said. The head coach added that there is "a rotation in mind" between Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell. Geno Smith (ankle) has already been ruled out. Pickett is expected to make the start against the Chiefs, but he may not play the entire game before giving way to O'Connell, who has yet to play a snap this year. In Pickett's lone start against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, Pickett went 15-for-25 passing for only 64 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Fantasy managers should definitely be staying away from the Raiders' QB situation in Week 18 in a meaningless game.

Friday, January 16, 3:24 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was far from perfect in his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old completed 18 of 31 pass attempts for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Dating back to the regular season, Purdy has now thrown an interception in four consecutive games. In the Divisional Round, San Francisco will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle completely shut Purdy down in the regular season finale for both teams, holding Purdy to 19 of 27 passing for 127 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pick. The Seahawks defense was dominant throughout the regular season, finishing first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and tied for seventh in sacks (47). Making matters worse for Purdy, he'll be without one of his top receiving weapons in tight end George Kittle (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Wild Card Round. Given the matchup and San Francisco's depleted pass-catching corps, Purdy profiles as a quarterback for fantasy managers to avoid in the Divisional Round.