Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Jared Goff's 17.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

Matthew Stafford is the better play on a neutral week. 20.6 PPG with 4,708 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jared Goff at 17.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Matthew Stafford higher, but do not fade Jared Goff entirely.

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

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QBDetroit Lions#12

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

17.5 PPG20.6 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% 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.

Jared Goff vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford for your lineup, you are not alone. Jared Goff finished the 2025 season at 17.5 PPG for the Detroit Lions (17 games), and Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 for the Los Angeles Rams (17 games).

That 3.1-point weekly advantage for Matthew Stafford is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

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

Jared Goff has his bye in Week 6, and Matthew Stafford rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Matthew Stafford is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jared Goff is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jared Goff (age 31) 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 Jared Goff by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jared Goff is 7 years younger than Matthew Stafford (31 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	20.6
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	350
Passing Yards	4,564	4,707
Passing TDs	34	46
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	276.9
Rushing Yards	45	1
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	34	46
TDs/Game	2.0	2.7
Age	31	38
Experience	9 yrs	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Matthew Stafford at 20.6 PPG, 3.1 points per game above Jared Goff's 17.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Jared Goff's 17.5 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 Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Jared Goff by 3.1 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.