Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Russell Wilson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.4-PPG advantage is real (14.2 to 9.8), and Russell Wilson's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Andy Dalton is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

9.8 PPG14.2 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Russell Wilson: 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 Russell Wilson at 65%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Andy Dalton vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Andy Dalton and Russell Wilson are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG across 10 games with the Carolina Panthers, while Russell Wilson posted 14.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 4.4-PPG gap gives Russell Wilson 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 Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Andy Dalton is off Week 11 and Russell Wilson Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Russell Wilson 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. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Russell Wilson outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 75 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 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 Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	14.2
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	199
Passing Yards	1,925	2,890
Passing TDs	10	18
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	206.4
Rushing Yards	42	155
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	10	20
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

Russell Wilson outscored Andy Dalton by 4.4 PPG in 2025 (14.2 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 Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Russell Wilson has the edge at 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.4 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Russell Wilson outscored Andy Dalton by 4.4 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.