Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 yards gives a reliable baseline. Andy Dalton at 9.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Penix Jr. higher, but do not fade Andy Dalton entirely.

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

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

9.8 PPG13.4 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Andy Dalton and Michael Penix Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Carolina Panthers quarterback put up 9.8 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 13.4 in 9. A 3.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.6 points favors Michael Penix Jr., 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 Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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

Michael Penix Jr. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Andy Dalton played 10 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Andy Dalton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Andy Dalton scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 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 Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	13.4
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	121
Passing Yards	1,925	1,982
Passing TDs	10	9
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	220.2
Rushing Yards	42	70
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	10	10
TDs/Game	1.0	1.1
Age	-	26
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

13.4 PPG for Michael Penix Jr. versus 9.8 for Andy Dalton in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Penix Jr., 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 Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

Do Andy Dalton and Michael Penix Jr. share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Andy Dalton and Michael Penix Jr. 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 Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Andy Dalton by 3.6 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.