Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders by 6.2 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Burrow is the clear pick. Shedeur Sanders 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

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

16.8 PPG10.6 PPG

8 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games in 2025, outscoring Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns, 10.6 PPG) by 6.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 6.2-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 Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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 Shedeur Sanders 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

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Shedeur Sanders 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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 105 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Shedeur Sanders is 5 years younger than Joe Burrow (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	10.6
Games Played	8	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	85
Passing Yards	1,809	1,400
Passing TDs	17	7
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	175.0
Rushing Yards	41	169
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	17	8
TDs/Game	2.1	1.0
Age	29	24
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 6.2 points per game above Shedeur Sanders's 10.6. 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 Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 6.2 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Burrow or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Shedeur Sanders by 6.2 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.