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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Cooper Rush or Joe FlaccoWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Joe Flacco over Cooper Rush in 2026.

Joe Flacco (11.3 PPG) and Cooper Rush (11.1) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Flacco also stayed healthier, playing 13 games to 10, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Joe Flacco edges Cooper Rush by 0.2 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, Joe Flacco 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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QBDallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush
PPG
11.1
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,985
Pass TDs
12
Bye
Week 7
QBCincinnati Bengals#37PPG LEADER
Joe Flacco
PPG
11.3
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,479
Pass TDs
15
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cooper Rush
Joe Flacco

Head to Head

11.1 PPG11.3 PPG
10 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Unranked QB. Joe Flacco: Tier 7 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Joe Flacco at 51%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cooper Rush vs Joe Flacco: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cooper Rush and Joe Flacco is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 10 games, and Joe Flacco posted 11.3 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 13.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 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.

Cooper Rush has his bye in Week 7, and Joe Flacco 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

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: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Joe Flacco (age 41) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

  • Joe Flacco outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Joe Flacco contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Joe Flacco scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Joe Flacco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCooper RushJoe Flacco
PPG (Half-PPR)11.111.3
Games Played1013
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)111147
Passing Yards1,9852,479
Passing TDs1215
Pass Yds/Game198.5190.7
Rushing Yards2835
Rushing TDs01
Total TDs1216
TDs/Game1.21.2
Age-41
Experience-17 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Flacco holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.3 points per game. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 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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  • Compare screen. Pick any two players and DraftCall calls it in seconds, with PPR, half, standard, and TE premium scoring toggles.
  • Verdict screen. A start-or-sit call between two quarterbacks with a confidence percentage, a confidence meter, and the key factors behind the decision.
  • Verdict detail. Boom and bust projection ranges for both players, then a stat-by-stat tale of the tape covering points per game, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.
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  • Bye Week Planner. A season grid showing which week each player is off, with the trouble weeks where more than one starter is out called out below it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Joe Flacco in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Flacco has the edge at 11.3 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.

Should I draft Cooper Rush or Joe Flacco in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Flacco and Cooper Rush come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Cooper Rush's 11.1, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Cooper Rush and Joe Flacco average in 2025?

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

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

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

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

Joe Flacco outscored Cooper Rush by 0.2 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.