Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Jarrett Stidham

Friday, January 2, 12:26 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was a stretch to make it back to play in the final game of the year after injuring his hand in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. The 32-year-old veteran was held out of the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and will now miss a second straight game to end the year. Journeyman QB Josh Johnson will make a second straight start for the Commanders. Mariota ended up playing in 11 games (eight starts) this year while filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, and he held his own, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 297 yards on the ground and a TD.

Sunday, January 18, 3:44 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton praised quarterback Jarrett Stidham on Sunday. Stidham is "very accurate, and has a lot to his ball," said Payton. Stidham will start in the AFC Championship game vs. either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans after Bo Nix (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs due to a broken bone in his ankle. Stidham has been under Payton's offensive system for three years and has shown great strength and mental aptitude. The 29-year-old is a serviceable option for the Broncos with Nix out, but hasn't started a game since Week 18 of the 2023 season. Stidham would be a risky option in playoff leagues and a GPP play in DFS for Championship week, as he will face a brutal matchup against the Patriots or Texans, whichever team advances.