Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Burrow outscored Cooper Rush by 5.7 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Burrow is the clear pick. Cooper Rush 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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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

11.1 PPG16.8 PPG

10 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cooper Rush and Joe Burrow for your lineup, you are not alone. Cooper Rush finished the 2025 season at 11.1 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (10 games), and Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 for the Cincinnati Bengals (8 games).

That 5.7-point weekly advantage for Joe Burrow is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Joe Burrow posted 1809 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Cooper Rush has his bye in Week 7, and Joe Burrow rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cooper Rush is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 97 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cooper Rush played 10 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Cooper Rush contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	16.8
Games Played	10	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	134
Passing Yards	1,985	1,809
Passing TDs	12	17
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	226.1
Rushing Yards	28	41
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	12	17
TDs/Game	1.2	2.1
Age	-	29
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 5.7 points per game above Cooper Rush's 11.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Cooper Rush and Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.7 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Cooper Rush by 5.7 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.