Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Russell Wilson's 14.2 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. Russell Wilson at 14.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Burrow higher, but do not fade Russell Wilson 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

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

16.8 PPG14.2 PPG

8 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Joe Burrow and Russell Wilson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 14.2 in 14. A 2.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.6 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 Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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 Russell Wilson Week 9. 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. Russell Wilson (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 Russell Wilson by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	14.2
Games Played	8	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	199
Passing Yards	1,809	2,890
Passing TDs	17	18
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	206.4
Rushing Yards	41	155
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	17	20
TDs/Game	2.1	1.4
Age	29	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 9

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 14.2 for Russell Wilson 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 Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Russell Wilson's 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Russell Wilson by 2.6 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.