Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Burrow has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.0-PPG advantage is real (16.8 to 13.8), and Joe Burrow's 17 touchdowns show scoring upside. Sam Darnold is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

16.8 PPG13.8 PPG

8 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game in 8 games. Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) came in at 13.8 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Joe Burrow carries a 3.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Burrow threw for 1809 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 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 Sam Darnold Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Joe Burrow at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Sam Darnold is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam Darnold scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	13.8
Games Played	8	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	235
Passing Yards	1,809	4,048
Passing TDs	17	25
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	238.1
Rushing Yards	41	95
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	17	25
TDs/Game	2.1	1.5
Age	29	28
Experience	5 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Burrow holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.8 points per game. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Burrow or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Sam Darnold by 3.0 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.