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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Geno Smith vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Geno Smith's 11.6 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 Geno Smith by 9.0 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford is the clear pick. Geno Smith 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#34
Geno Smith
PPG
11.6
Games
15
Pass Yds
3,025
Pass TDs
19
Rush Yds
109
Bye
Week 13
QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER
Matthew Stafford
PPG
20.6
Games
17
Pass Yds
4,707
Pass TDs
46
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

11.6 PPG20.6 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Geno Smith is producing at 53% 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.

Geno Smith 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 Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders, 11.6 PPG) by 9.0 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 9.0 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. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 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: Geno Smith is off Week 13 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. Geno Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Geno Smith (age 35) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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 Geno Smith by a projected 153 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Geno Smith's 15. 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

Geno Smith vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatGeno SmithMatthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)11.620.6
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)174350
Passing Yards3,0254,707
Passing TDs1946
Pass Yds/Game201.7276.9
Rushing Yards1091
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs1946
TDs/Game1.32.7
Age3538
Experience12 yrs16 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 11

Summary

20.6 PPG for Matthew Stafford versus 11.6 for Geno Smith 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 Geno Smith or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Geno Smith's 11.6 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 Geno Smith and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?

Geno Smith averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 9.0 points per game.

When are Geno Smith and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?

Geno Smith (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Geno Smith or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Matthew Stafford outscored Geno Smith by 9.0 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.

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