Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or Kenny Pickett

Saturday, December 6, 4:54 AM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes diced up the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but ended up taking the loss. Mahomes completed 23 of 34 pass attempts (68%) for 261 yards and four touchdowns in the 28-31 loss to Dallas in Week 13. The Chiefs defense has now given up at least 20 points in four straight games, making it difficult to win no matter how well Mahomes plays. With the team sitting at 6-6 and third in the division, Mahomes and the Chiefs essentially need to win out to secure a spot in the playoffs. That task will be tough to accomplish when they have the stout Houston defense staring them down in Week 14. The Texans defense has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, making this the toughest matchup there is. With their season hanging in the balance, Mahomes will have to will them to victory if they want to see the postseason. The Chiefs superstar was also listed on this week's injury report with a knee injury, but practiced all week fully and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. Mahomes is ranked QB7 in our RotoBaller rankings, meaning he's still a locked-in QB1 despite facing arguably the best defense in football.

Thursday, September 4, 9:39 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.