Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or DK Metcalf

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, November 23, 2:19 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (ankle) has returned to his team's Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears after briefly exiting the game due to an ankle injury. Metcalf limped off the field and was checked out in the medical tent, but was ultimately cleared to return to the field. Metcalf may not be at 100% for the remainder of Week 12, but Steelers fans and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that he avoided a major injury. Now that he's back in the lineup, the 27-year-old should continue to be the top target for Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph in Week 12 against Chicago. Metcalf scored a touchdown in the first half before tweaking his ankle.