Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Kyler Murray

Sunday, January 5, 4:15 PM

Washington Commanders Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to a thrilling victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels at the start of the second half. With the Commanders already locked into a playoff spot, they opted to protect their rookie QB. However, this victory pushed them up to the No.6 seed in the NFC. Over the final two quarters, Mariota went 15-for-18 with 161 yards and two touchdowns. He added 56 yards and a score on five carries. He found Zach Ertz on a five-yard strike late in the third quarter. Then in the fourth, Mariota punched in a score at the goal line and would then find his top wideout Terry McLaurin on a game-winning five-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds. Mariota also saw time in Week 7 against the Panthers when Daniels left early with a rib injury. He was sharp in that game as well going 18-for-23 with 205 yards and two scores.

Monday, January 6, 6:31 PM

When asked if quarterback Kyler Murray would be the team's starter in 2025, Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said, "100 percent," on Burns And Gambo. "He's a top-level, franchise quarterback," Gannon said. Although he led the Cardinals to an 8-9 record and no playoff appearance, Murray did throw for 3,851 yards -- the second-highest total of his career -- 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. His 572 rushing yards -- he added five touchdowns on the ground -- ranked fourth among all QBs in 2024. The 27-year-old isn't going anywhere heading into the second year of a five-year, $230.5 million extension that he signed in July of 2022. Arizona should keep most of their skill players on offense, but Murray will need to establish more chemistry with first-round wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. to take a step forward for the Cardinals and fantasy managers that make him their QB1.