Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Spencer Rattler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Spencer Rattler is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Spencer Rattler edges Andy Dalton by 1.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Spencer Rattler goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBNew Orleans Saints#38PPG LEADER

Spencer Rattler

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

1,586

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

167

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

9.8 PPG11.0 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Spencer Rattler carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Andy Dalton finished the 2025 season at 9.8 PPG over 10 games with the Carolina Panthers, while Spencer Rattler clocked in at 11.0 across 9 appearances for the New Orleans Saints. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 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 Spencer Rattler Week 8. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Spencer Rattler (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Spencer Rattler outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Andy Dalton played 10 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	11.0
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	99
Passing Yards	1,925	1,586
Passing TDs	10	8
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	176.2
Rushing Yards	42	167
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	8
TDs/Game	1.0	0.9
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Spencer Rattler holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Spencer Rattler has the edge at 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Spencer Rattler outscored Andy Dalton by 1.2 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.