Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith

Sunday, January 4, 8:18 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 25 of his 40 pass attempts for 259 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also took one sack and rushed for three yards. The 37-year-old quarterback entered this week in a neck-and-neck race with Drake Maye for the MVP award, and Stafford might have pulled ahead on Sunday afternoon, even without Davante Adams (hamstring) at his disposal. He finishes the regular season with an NFL-leading 4,707 passing yards, 46 passing touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Los Angeles secured the NFC's No. 5 seed and will move on to face the Carolina Panthers in the opening round of the NFL playoffs next weekend.

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.