Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kirk Cousins outscored Andy Dalton by 5.6 PPG in 2025 with 23 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kirk Cousins is the clear pick. Andy Dalton profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

9.8 PPG15.4 PPG

10 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kirk Cousins: 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 Kirk Cousins at 70%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Andy Dalton vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins for your lineup, you are not alone. Andy Dalton finished the 2025 season at 9.8 PPG for the Carolina Panthers (10 games), and Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (16 games).

That 5.6-point weekly advantage for Kirk Cousins is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 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 Kirk Cousins is off Week 12. 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

Kirk Cousins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Andy Dalton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Kirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	15.4
Games Played	10	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	246
Passing Yards	1,925	3,588
Passing TDs	10	23
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	224.3
Rushing Yards	42	78
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	23
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG, 5.6 points per game above Andy Dalton's 9.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Andy Dalton by 5.6 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.