Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jameis Winston vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Burrow is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.8 PPG and 1,850 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Jameis Winston (10.9 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Burrow as the starter and Jameis Winston as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCleveland Browns#99

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jameis Winston

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

10.9 PPG16.8 PPG

10 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jameis Winston: 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, Jameis Winston 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.

Jameis Winston vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

Jameis Winston and Joe Burrow are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG across 10 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Joe Burrow posted 16.8 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 5.9-PPG gap gives Joe Burrow the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jameis Winston threw for 2125 yards and 13 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jameis Winston sits Week 10 while Joe Burrow is off Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Joe Burrow at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Jameis Winston is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jameis Winston played 10 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Jameis Winston 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

Jameis Winston vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jameis Winston	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	16.8
Games Played	10	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	109	134
Passing Yards	2,125	1,809
Passing TDs	13	17
Pass Yds/Game	212.5	226.1
Rushing Yards	45	41
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	14	17
TDs/Game	1.4	2.1
Age	-	29
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

Joe Burrow outscored Jameis Winston by 5.9 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 10.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jameis Winston or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Jameis Winston and Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 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 5.9 points per game.

When are Jameis Winston and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jameis Winston (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jameis Winston or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Jameis Winston by 5.9 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.