Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold

Saturday, November 29, 2:31 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns (one interception, too) last week in his second start of the season and first since Week 8. The veteran was able to put that solid fantasy performance together despite completing just 16 passes (23 attempts). It could be tough sledding in Week 13 in a road matchup against the Jets, a defense that has yielded the tenth-fewest pass yards per game (194.6) on the season and eighth-fewest over the past three weeks (181.3). Not only that, the 37-year-old will be without the team's top receiving option, Drake London (knee), for the second straight week. Fold in a low implied total of 39.5 for this game (21 for Atlanta) and the fact that the Falcons may lean more heavily on Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, it leaves Cousins as a low-end QB2 in Week 13.

Friday, November 28, 6:21 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold should have a fine game in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Although Minnesota boasts a tough defense, Darnold has been able to consistently toss a couple of touchdown passes per game this season. Additionally, Darnold's connection with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has helped buoy a QB2 season from the veteran quarterback. Minnesota has a stout rushing defense, so expect the Seahawks to lean heavily on play-action passes. While Minnesota has a chaotic, attacking passing defense, Seattle should be able to find room to throw in this game. What is more, the Vikings will be starting rookie quarterback Max Brosmer in Week 13 with J.J. McCarthy (concussion) still in concussion protocol. As such, the Seahawks should be able to force short fields with an attacking defense of their own. With no teams on a bye this week, you may not need to stream Darnold. However, if you have struggled to find consistent quarterback play elsewhere, you could do much worse than Darnold in Week 13.