Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Matthew Stafford outscored Andy Dalton by 10.8 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford 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

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

9.8 PPG20.6 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers, 9.8 PPG) by 10.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 10.8 points favors Matthew Stafford, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Matthew Stafford 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. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 184 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Matthew Stafford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	20.6
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	350
Passing Yards	1,925	4,707
Passing TDs	10	46
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	276.9
Rushing Yards	42	1
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	46
TDs/Game	1.0	2.7
Age	-	38
Experience	-	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

20.6 PPG for Matthew Stafford versus 9.8 for Andy Dalton in 2025. The baseline favors Matthew Stafford, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 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 Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 10.8 points per game.

Do Andy Dalton and Matthew Stafford share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Andy Dalton and Matthew Stafford share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Andy Dalton or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Andy Dalton by 10.8 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.