Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Jared Goff is the better play on a neutral week. 17.5 PPG with 4,609 yards gives a reliable baseline. Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jared Goff higher, but do not fade Kirk Cousins entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

17.5 PPG15.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions quarterback put up 17.5 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 15.4 in 16. A 2.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.1 points favors Jared Goff, 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. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Jared Goff is off Week 6 and Kirk Cousins Week 12. 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

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. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Kirk Cousins's 16. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Kirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	15.4
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	246
Passing Yards	4,564	3,588
Passing TDs	34	23
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	224.3
Rushing Yards	45	78
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	34	23
TDs/Game	2.0	1.4
Age	31	-
Experience	9 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

17.5 PPG for Jared Goff versus 15.4 for Kirk Cousins 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 Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Kirk Cousins by 2.1 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.