Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Cooper Rush

Saturday, November 22, 4:44 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will make his second start of the season on the road in Week 12 against the Saints, with the team losing Michael Penix Jr. (knee) to injury for the rest of the year. The 37-year-old started the team's Week 8 contest against the Dolphins, but unsurprisingly looked rusty, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards and no scores (and zero interceptions). Expectations should not be high for managers considering the veteran as a streaming option, as he lost his job to Penix last year and was unable to wrest it back to begin 2025. Also, the Saints have been solid on defense, limiting opposing quarterbacks to the 17th-most fantasy points in the league, and they get the benefit of this game being played in New Orleans. With a low implied point total for Atlanta in this one (19), there isn't expected to be a lot of scoring, and if there is, it could come from the one-two punch of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the ground, especially given that top wide receiver Drake London (knee) will be out. As such, Cousins projects as a low-end QB2 in this matchup.

Sunday, October 12, 3:30 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush was benched during Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. He has been replaced by Tyler Huntley, who is currently on his third stint with the organization. Rush has struggled immensely while filling in for Lamar Jackson (hamstring). Last week, he had 179 yards and three interceptions. This week, through three quarters of play before being benched, he amassed 72 yards, one interception, and one last fumble. Trailing by multiple possessions in the final quarter, Baltimore decided that a change was necessary. The pivot to Huntley gives the Ravens a more mobile and athletic option under center. He'll likely quarterback the Ravens for the rest of Sunday's contest and could be in the conversation to start Baltimore's next game in Week 8 if Jackson remains sidelined.