Who Should I Start? Matthew Stafford or Michael Penix Jr.

Saturday, November 29, 6:36 AM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to rank as a strong fantasy QB1 as he carries his MVP candidacy into Sunday's Week 13 contest against the Carolina Panthers. Stafford continues to play at an elite level, amassing 25 touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last eight games. Between his prolific passing skills and the strong supporting cast around him, Stafford has not only cemented himself as a must-start quarterback in fantasy football, but he's also putting together a very strong bid to win MVP. He'll build on both of those campaigns against the Panthers, who have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2025, but also the 13th-most passing yards. Stafford, who is a must-start regardless of matchup, ranks as the overall QB6 in this week's RotoBaller fantasy rankings.

Wednesday, November 26, 1:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.