Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or Brock Purdy

Thursday, January 1, 3:18 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) said he will "100%" play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday night against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Jackson practiced in full on Wednesday and was on the practice field for a second straight day on Thursday. The two-time MVP will return this weekend after missing the Week 17 win over the Green Bay Packers with a back contusion that he suffered in the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. Jackson has not been very healthy in 2025, and the results have shown, as he hasn't been a top-10 fantasy QB. He looks to be the healthiest he's been in a while, though, going into the AFC North title game, and he'll be squaring off against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. There's some hope that Jackson can bounce back as a QB1 in Week 18.

Saturday, December 27, 3:55 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has turned in four top-12 finishes in five games since returning from a six-week absence due to turf toe. Purdy stepped things up since the 49ers' Week 14 bye, putting up 295 passing yards in consecutive games and a total of eight touchdowns. Purdy has a great chance of keeping his hot streak alive in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. The Bears have given up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and are tied with two other teams for the third-most passing touchdowns allowed. Tight end George Kittle (ankle) will be a game-time decision, but deep threat Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is trending towards playing. Purdy projects as a QB1 given his recent track record and favorable matchup, making him a worthy starter in the fantasy championship round.