Geno Smith vs Joe Flacco: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Geno Smith and Joe Flacco is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Geno Smith averaged 12.7 PPG with the New York Jets across 15 games, and Joe Flacco posted 12.1 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 13.
When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Joe Flacco posted 2479 yards and 15 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
One thing to note: both players share a Week 12 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.
