Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler by 5.8 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Burrow is the clear pick. Spencer Rattler 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

QBNew Orleans Saints#38

Spencer Rattler

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

1,586

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

167

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

16.8 PPG11.0 PPG

8 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Burrow and Spencer Rattler for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Burrow finished the 2025 season at 16.8 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (8 games), and Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 for the New Orleans Saints (9 games).

That 5.8-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 Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 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 Spencer Rattler is off Week 8. 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. Spencer Rattler 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. Spencer Rattler (age 25) 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 Spencer Rattler by a projected 99 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Spencer Rattler played 9 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Spencer Rattler 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.
•Spencer Rattler is 4 years younger than Joe Burrow (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Burrow vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	11.0
Games Played	8	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	99
Passing Yards	1,809	1,586
Passing TDs	17	8
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	176.2
Rushing Yards	41	167
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	17	8
TDs/Game	2.1	0.9
Age	29	25
Experience	5 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 5.8 points per game above Spencer Rattler's 11.0. 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 Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 5.8 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Burrow or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Spencer Rattler by 5.8 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.