Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs Andy DaltonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy play this season.

Aidan O'Connell has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.0-PPG advantage is real (12.8 to 9.8), and Aidan O'Connell's 16 touchdowns show scoring upside. Andy Dalton is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99PPG LEADER

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Andy Dalton

Head to Head

12.8 PPG9.8 PPG

13 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Andy Dalton at 45%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Aidan O'Connell vs Andy Dalton: The Full Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell and Andy Dalton are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 PPG across 13 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Andy Dalton posted 9.8 PPG in 10 appearances for the Carolina Panthers.

A 3.0-PPG gap gives Aidan O'Connell the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Andy Dalton posted 1925 yards and 10 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Aidan O'Connell is off Week 10 and Andy Dalton Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Aidan O'Connell at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Andy Dalton is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Aidan O'Connell outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aidan O'Connell played 13 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Aidan O'Connell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aidan O'Connell scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs Andy Dalton: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Andy Dalton
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	9.8
Games Played	13	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	98
Passing Yards	2,650	1,925
Passing TDs	16	10
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	192.5
Rushing Yards	68	42
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	16	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.0
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Aidan O'Connell outscored Andy Dalton by 3.0 PPG in 2025 (12.8 to 9.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aidan O'Connell or Andy Dalton in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aidan O'Connell has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Aidan O'Connell and Andy Dalton average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Andy Dalton's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Andy Dalton a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell outscored Andy Dalton by 3.0 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.