Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Joe FlaccoWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.5 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, J.J. McCarthy and Joe Flacco are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBMinnesota Vikings#32PPG LEADER

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBCincinnati Bengals#37

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Joe Flacco

Head to Head

12.5 PPG11.3 PPG

10 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Joe Flacco at 51%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Joe Flacco: The Full Breakdown

The gap between J.J. McCarthy and Joe Flacco is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG with the Minnesota Vikings across 10 games, and Joe Flacco posted 11.3 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 13.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Joe Flacco posted 2479 yards and 15 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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: J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Joe Flacco (age 41) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•J.J. McCarthy outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Joe Flacco contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Flacco scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•J.J. McCarthy is 18 years younger than Joe Flacco (23 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Joe Flacco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Joe Flacco
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	11.3
Games Played	10	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	147
Passing Yards	1,632	2,479
Passing TDs	11	15
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	190.7
Rushing Yards	181	35
Rushing TDs	4	1
Total TDs	15	16
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	23	41
Experience	1 yrs	17 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor J.J. McCarthy at 12.5 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Joe Flacco's 11.3. 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 J.J. McCarthy or Joe Flacco in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, J.J. McCarthy has the edge at 12.5 PPG compared to Joe Flacco's 11.3 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 J.J. McCarthy and Joe Flacco average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

Do J.J. McCarthy and Joe Flacco share a bye week?▾

Yes, both J.J. McCarthy and Joe Flacco share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Joe Flacco a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy outscored Joe Flacco by 1.2 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.