Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Jared Goff has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.9-PPG advantage is real (17.5 to 12.6), and Jared Goff's 34 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

17.5 PPG12.6 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) finished the 2025 season averaging 17.5 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) came in at 12.6 PPG over 10 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jared Goff carries a 4.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 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: Jared Goff sits Week 6 while Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. 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 Jared Goff at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Marcus Mariota is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. 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 Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	12.6
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	126
Passing Yards	4,564	1,695
Passing TDs	34	10
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	45	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	34	11
TDs/Game	2.0	1.1
Age	31	32
Experience	9 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jared Goff holds the PPG edge with solid output at 17.5 points per game. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jared Goff or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Jared Goff and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Marcus Mariota by 4.9 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.