Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew by 8.2 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford is the clear pick. Gardner Minshew 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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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

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

Gardner Minshew

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

12.4 PPG20.6 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: 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, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% 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.

Gardner Minshew vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Gardner Minshew (Las Vegas Raiders, 12.4 PPG) by 8.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 8.2-point weekly advantage for Matthew Stafford 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. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 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.

One scheduling note: Gardner Minshew is off Week 10 and Matthew Stafford Week 11. 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

Matthew Stafford is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Gardner Minshew is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Gardner Minshew (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 Gardner Minshew by a projected 139 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. 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

Gardner Minshew vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	20.6
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	350
Passing Yards	2,420	4,707
Passing TDs	14	46
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	276.9
Rushing Yards	125	1
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	15	46
TDs/Game	1.3	2.7
Age	-	38
Experience	-	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Matthew Stafford at 20.6 PPG, 8.2 points per game above Gardner Minshew's 12.4. 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 Gardner Minshew or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.2 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) 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 Gardner Minshew or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Gardner Minshew by 8.2 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.