Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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

QBBaltimore Ravens#16

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

16.8 PPG16.5 PPG

8 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Burrow vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Joe Burrow finished the 2025 season at 16.8 PPG over 8 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Lamar Jackson clocked in at 16.5 across 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens. A 0.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Joe Burrow is off Week 6 and Lamar Jackson Week 13. 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

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. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Lamar Jackson by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	16.5
Games Played	8	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	215
Passing Yards	1,809	2,549
Passing TDs	17	21
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	196.1
Rushing Yards	41	349
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	17	23
TDs/Game	2.1	1.8
Age	29	29
Experience	5 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Lamar Jackson's 16.5. 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 Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 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 Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Lamar Jackson by 0.3 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.