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Start/Sit: Quarterbacks (Week 16)

December 18, 2025

START

CJ Stroud vs Raiders

We were slow to believe as it has been a rough go lately for Stroud. However, he’s quietly put together three straight weeks of 200 yard performances and notched just his second game this season of 3 td’s or more. With a checked out Raiders defense next up, we’re all in.

Justin Herbert at Dallas

His numbers as of late have left a little to be desired. However, this matchup looks great. Dallas isn’t eliminated just yet but I think everyone knows they’re done for 2025. They had their chance to fight with their back against the wall and they surrendered 250 yards and 3 total scores to JJ McCarthy. Dallas looked different on defense for a little bit but they’ve reverted back to their old ways and Herbert will be ready for them. I like the Chargers a lot in this one.

Tyler Shough vs Jets

Alright, I’ve seen enough to start Shough with confidence. He’s been consistently playing well over the last few weeks and has taken down two divisional rivals in back to back games. Next up are the lowly Jets who just fired their defensive coordinator and are playing for absolutely nothing at this point. This Jets defense was just carved up for 330 yards and 5 touchdowns by Trevor Lawrence and they’re just trying to get to the finish line.

SIT

Sam Darnold vs Rams

It’s not so much about his game against the Colts as it is about the game upcoming vs the Rams. Darnold has been great for most of the season and he could very well make me look like a fool here but he STRUGGLED last time out against LA with 4 interceptions. To his credit, he battled back, but he was seeing ghosts for most of that one. I’m not chancing it in my playoff matchup if I can help it.

Baker Mayfield at Carolina

Baker has been off since his shoulder injury vs the Rams in week 12. The exception is last week vs a Falcons squad on Thursday Night. I don’t think that’s a turning point so much as I believe screwy things happen on TNF. Baker has struggled greatly in his last two trips to Carolina (1 td, 2 int). This should be even tougher with a Panthers squad that believes they can take the division. Yes, Mike Evans is back and perhaps you roll the dice on letting this matchup ride. I’m only here to warn of the negative side of it given what we’ve seen lately.

Jaxson Dart vs Minnesota

Dart is such a fun player to watch. The same headfirst heart that Skattebo played with put him on IR for the season. Dart himself has taken five trips to the medical tent for concussion evaluation. You can’t predict stuff like that but his playstyle brings some worries on game day. The Vikings defense went into Dallas and completely shut down one of the more talented offensive groups in the NFL. Dart is hardly throwing to talents like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and Minnesota has a top 5 passing defense.

Keith, Author

Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.