Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Burrow is the better play on a neutral week. 16.8 PPG with 1,850 yards gives a reliable baseline. Marcus Mariota at 12.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Burrow higher, but do not fade Marcus Mariota entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

16.8 PPG12.6 PPG

8 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Joe Burrow and Marcus Mariota is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders averaged 12.6 in 10. A 4.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.2 points favors Joe Burrow, 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. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 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 Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. 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

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Marcus Mariota 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. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota 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 Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	12.6
Games Played	8	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	126
Passing Yards	1,809	1,695
Passing TDs	17	10
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	169.5
Rushing Yards	41	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	17	11
TDs/Game	2.1	1.1
Age	29	32
Experience	5 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 12.6 for Marcus Mariota 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 Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.2 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Marcus Mariota by 4.2 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.