Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Matthew Stafford outscored Deshaun Watson by 8.4 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford is the clear pick. Deshaun Watson 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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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

12.2 PPG20.6 PPG

11 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Matthew Stafford put up 20.6 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, while Deshaun Watson managed 12.2 across 11 games with the Cleveland Browns. A 8.4-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

The per-game difference of 8.4 points favors Matthew Stafford, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 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: Deshaun Watson sits Week 10 while Matthew Stafford is off Week 11. 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

Matthew Stafford is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Deshaun Watson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 143 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. That durability gap means Matthew Stafford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	20.6
Games Played	11	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	350
Passing Yards	2,105	4,707
Passing TDs	12	46
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	276.9
Rushing Yards	185	1
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	14	46
TDs/Game	1.3	2.7
Age	-	38
Experience	-	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

20.6 PPG for Matthew Stafford versus 12.2 for Deshaun Watson in 2025. The baseline favors Matthew Stafford, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.4 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Deshaun Watson by 8.4 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.