Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Burrow outscored Mac Jones by 5.0 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Burrow is the clear pick. Mac Jones profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Mac Jones

Head to Head

16.8 PPG11.8 PPG

8 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Burrow and Mac Jones for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Burrow finished the 2025 season at 16.8 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (8 games), and Mac Jones averaged 11.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (11 games).

That 5.0-point weekly advantage for Joe Burrow 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. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Joe Burrow has his bye in Week 6, and Mac Jones rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Mac Jones is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Mac Jones (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 Mac Jones by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Mac Jones 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	11.8
Games Played	8	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	130
Passing Yards	1,809	2,151
Passing TDs	17	13
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	195.5
Rushing Yards	41	60
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	17	13
TDs/Game	2.1	1.2
Age	29	27
Experience	5 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 5.0 points per game above Mac Jones's 11.8. 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 Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Joe Burrow and Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Mac Jones by 5.0 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.