Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Burrow vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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. Tyler Shough at 14.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Burrow higher, but do not fade Tyler Shough 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

QBNew Orleans Saints#24

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Joe Burrow

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

16.8 PPG14.4 PPG

8 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Burrow is producing at 76% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Burrow vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Burrow and Tyler Shough for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Burrow finished the 2025 season at 16.8 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (8 games), and Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 for the New Orleans Saints (11 games).

That 2.4-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 Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Joe Burrow has his bye in Week 6, and Tyler Shough rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Tyler Shough by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Shough played 11 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Burrow	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	14.4
Games Played	8	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	158
Passing Yards	1,809	2,384
Passing TDs	17	10
Pass Yds/Game	226.1	216.7
Rushing Yards	41	186
Rushing TDs	0	3
Total TDs	17	13
TDs/Game	2.1	1.2
Age	29	26
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 2.4 points per game above Tyler Shough's 14.4. 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 Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Joe Burrow and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Burrow or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Tyler Shough by 2.4 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.