Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jared Goff higher, but do not fade Michael Penix Jr. 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#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

17.5 PPG13.4 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jared Goff and Michael Penix Jr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Jared Goff finished the 2025 season at 17.5 PPG for the Detroit Lions (17 games), and Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 4.1-point weekly advantage for Jared Goff 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 Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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 Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 11. 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

Jared Goff is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Penix Jr. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.
•Michael Penix Jr. is 5 years younger than Jared Goff (26 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	13.4
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	121
Passing Yards	4,564	1,982
Passing TDs	34	9
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	220.2
Rushing Yards	45	70
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	34	10
TDs/Game	2.0	1.1
Age	31	26
Experience	9 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jared Goff at 17.5 PPG, 4.1 points per game above Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4. 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 Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 4.1 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.