Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Joe Burrow

Monday, December 29, 4:06 PM

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that it would be "a stretch" for quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The Commanders aren't closing the door on Mariota playing, but with Washington eliminated from the playoffs, it's unlikely. It means that veteran journeyman QB Josh Johnson is lined up to make a second straight start to close out the 2025 season. The 39-year-old went 15-for-23 passing 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday. Mariota is not moving at full speed yet after suffering multiple injuries in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. He didn't practice at all last week and shouldn't be counted on for fantasy managers still playing for a title in Week 18.

Monday, December 29, 12:54 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Although both teams are eliminated from the playoffs, Taylor said starting Burrow gives the team the best chance to win, and the Bengals are trying to close out a disappointing 2025 season with a three-game winning streak. Since Week 11, Cincy's offense ranks fourth in the league in third-down conversions and is sixth in red-zone efficiency. On the defensive side of things, the Bengals rank eighth in the NFL in third-down conversions and are 12th in red-zone efficiency. In the Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Burrow went 24-for-31 passing for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. Burrow has made only seven starts in 2025 due to a turf-toe injury that required surgery, but he's now gone over 300 passing yards in back-to-back games with six TDs and no picks. Burrow will have a challenge to make it three straight 300-yard games to close out the year in Week 18 against a stout Browns defense.