Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Jared GoffWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Jared Goff is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.5 PPG and 4,609 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Andy Dalton (9.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jared Goff as the starter and Andy Dalton as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Jared Goff

Head to Head

9.8 PPG17.5 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Jared Goff at 80%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Jared Goff: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jared Goff put up 17.5 fantasy points per game for the Detroit Lions in 2025, while Andy Dalton managed 9.8 across 10 games with the Carolina Panthers. A 7.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

A 7.7-PPG gap gives Jared Goff 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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jared Goff posted 4564 yards and 34 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Andy Dalton sits Week 11 while Jared Goff is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jared Goff 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: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 131 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Jared Goff contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jared Goff scored 34 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Jared Goff: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Jared Goff
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	17.5
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	298
Passing Yards	1,925	4,564
Passing TDs	10	34
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	268.5
Rushing Yards	42	45
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	34
TDs/Game	1.0	2.0
Age	-	31
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

Jared Goff outscored Andy Dalton by 7.7 PPG in 2025 (17.5 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 Jared Goff in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 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 Jared Goff average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jared Goff averaged 17.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.7 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Jared Goff's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Jared Goff a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Andy Dalton by 7.7 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.