Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith

Wednesday, January 14, 6:36 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (finger) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Stafford sprained his right index finger in the Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers last Saturday, but the Rams were never concerned about his availability for the Divisional Round this Sunday versus the Chicago Bears. In the win over the Panthers, Stafford went 24-for-42 passing for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The 37-year-old veteran is the favorite to win the NFL MVP this year after throwing for a league-high 4,707 yards, a league-high 46 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in 17 regular-season games. His finger injury shouldn't be an issue this weekend in Chicago against a Bears defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs. Stafford is the top QB on the board in fantasy this week.

Wednesday, December 31, 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend. Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.