Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Joe Burrow's 16.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jared Goff and Joe Burrow are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBCincinnati Bengals#15

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

17.5 PPG16.8 PPG

17 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jared Goff vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jared Goff finished the 2025 season at 17.5 PPG over 17 games with the Detroit Lions, while Joe Burrow clocked in at 16.8 across 8 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 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.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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: Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Joe Burrow by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Jared Goff contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jared Goff scored 34 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	16.8
Games Played	17	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	134
Passing Yards	4,564	1,809
Passing TDs	34	17
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	226.1
Rushing Yards	45	41
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	34	17
TDs/Game	2.0	2.1
Age	31	29
Experience	9 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

17.5 PPG for Jared Goff versus 16.8 for Joe Burrow in 2025. The baseline favors Jared Goff, 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 Jared Goff or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Joe Burrow's 16.8 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 Jared Goff and Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

Do Jared Goff and Joe Burrow share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jared Goff and Joe Burrow share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Jared Goff or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Joe Burrow by 0.7 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.