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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Cooper RushWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cooper Rush is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.1 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Rush is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Cooper Rush edges Andy Dalton by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Cooper Rush goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99
Andy Dalton
PPG
9.8
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,925
Pass TDs
10
Bye
Week 11
QBDallas Cowboys#99PPG LEADER
Cooper Rush
PPG
11.1
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,985
Pass TDs
12
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Andy Dalton
Cooper Rush

Head to Head

9.8 PPG11.1 PPG
10 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Cooper Rush at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Andy Dalton vs Cooper Rush: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Andy Dalton and Cooper Rush is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG with the Carolina Panthers across 10 games, and Cooper Rush posted 11.1 with the Dallas Cowboys in 10.

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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Cooper Rush posted 1985 yards and 12 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Andy Dalton has his bye in Week 11, and Cooper Rush rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Cooper Rush outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Cooper Rush scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Cooper Rush: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAndy DaltonCooper Rush
PPG (Half-PPR)9.811.1
Games Played1010
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)98111
Passing Yards1,9251,985
Passing TDs1012
Pass Yds/Game192.5198.5
Rushing Yards4228
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs1012
TDs/Game1.01.2
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

Cooper Rush outscored Andy Dalton by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (11.1 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 Andy Dalton or Cooper Rush in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Rush has the edge at 11.1 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 Andy Dalton and Cooper Rush average in 2025?

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Cooper Rush's bye weeks in 2026?

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Cooper Rush a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Cooper Rush outscored Andy Dalton by 1.3 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.

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