Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Joe FlaccoWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

C.J. Stroud has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.6-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 11.3), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Joe Flacco 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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QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBCincinnati Bengals#37

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Joe Flacco

Head to Head

14.9 PPG11.3 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Joe Flacco at 51%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Joe Flacco: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals) came in at 11.3 PPG over 13 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

C.J. Stroud carries a 3.6-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Joe Flacco posted 2479 yards and 15 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: C.J. Stroud sits Week 8 while Joe Flacco is off Week 6. 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

If you can acquire C.J. Stroud at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Joe Flacco is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Joe Flacco (age 41) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Joe Flacco's 13. That durability gap means C.J. Stroud contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•C.J. Stroud scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•C.J. Stroud is 17 years younger than Joe Flacco (24 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Joe Flacco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Joe Flacco
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	11.3
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	147
Passing Yards	3,041	2,479
Passing TDs	19	15
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	190.7
Rushing Yards	209	35
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	16
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	24	41
Experience	2 yrs	17 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, C.J. Stroud holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.9 points per game. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 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 C.J. Stroud or Joe Flacco in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Joe Flacco's 11.3 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 C.J. Stroud and Joe Flacco average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Joe Flacco's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Joe Flacco a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Joe Flacco 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.