Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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. Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jared Goff higher, but do not fade Sam Darnold 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

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

17.5 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jared Goff and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions quarterback put up 17.5 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 13.8 in 17. A 3.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.7 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 Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 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 Sam Darnold Week 11. 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

Jared Goff is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Sam Darnold 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. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	235
Passing Yards	4,564	4,048
Passing TDs	34	25
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	45	95
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	34	25
TDs/Game	2.0	1.5
Age	31	28
Experience	9 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

17.5 PPG for Jared Goff versus 13.8 for Sam Darnold 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 Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jared Goff or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Sam Darnold by 3.7 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.