Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Justin Herbert

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.

Tuesday, November 18, 12:33 AM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had his worst performance of the season in the team's 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing just 10 of 18 passes for 81 yards and an interception before being pulled from the game in the second half. It was the first game this season without a passing touchdown for him, and only the eighth in his career. Herbert led the team in rushing with 21 yards, highlighting the offense's overall inefficiency. The Chargers managed only eight first downs, held the ball for just 22 minutes, and reached the red zone only once. Herbert was constantly under pressure behind an injured, overmatched offensive line that has now allowed 35 sacks this season. He was briefly evaluated for a concussion at the end of the first half after a sack, but returned to start the second half. Herbert and the Bolts get a much-needed bye in Week 12.