Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Justin FieldsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Justin Fields's 15.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Joe Burrow and Justin Fields are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-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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QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBNew York Jets#20

Justin Fields

PPG

15.9

Games

Pass Yds

1,259

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Justin Fields

Head to Head

16.8 PPG15.9 PPG

8 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Justin Fields: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Justin Fields at 72%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Justin Fields: The Full Breakdown

Joe Burrow (16.8 PPG) and Justin Fields (15.9 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Joe Burrow played 8 games for the Cincinnati Bengals; Justin Fields suited up 9 times for the New York Jets.

A 0.9-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Justin Fields posted 1259 yards and 7 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: Joe Burrow sits Week 6 while Justin Fields is off Week 13. 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

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: Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Justin Fields (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Justin Fields by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Justin Fields played 9 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Justin Fields contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Justin Fields added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Justin Fields: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Justin Fields
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	15.9
Games Played	8	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	143
Passing Yards	1,809	1,259
Passing TDs	17	7
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	139.9
Rushing Yards	41	383
Rushing TDs	0	4
Total TDs	17	11
TDs/Game	2.1	1.2
Age	29	27
Experience	5 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 15.9 for Justin Fields in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Burrow, 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 Joe Burrow or Justin Fields in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Justin Fields's 15.9 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 Joe Burrow and Justin Fields average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Justin Fields averaged 15.9 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Justin Fields's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Justin Fields (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Justin Fields a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Justin Fields by 0.9 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.