Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins is the better play on a neutral week. 15.4 PPG with 3,666 yards gives a reliable baseline. Joe Flacco at 11.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kirk Cousins higher, but do not fade Joe Flacco entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#37

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

11.3 PPG15.4 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Joe Flacco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Joe Flacco and Kirk Cousins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback put up 11.3 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 15.4 in 16. A 4.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.1 points favors Kirk Cousins, 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 Flacco threw for 2479 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Joe Flacco is off Week 6 and Kirk Cousins Week 12. 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

Kirk Cousins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Joe Flacco is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Joe Flacco (age 41) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joe Flacco's 13. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Kirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	15.4
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	246
Passing Yards	2,479	3,588
Passing TDs	15	23
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	224.3
Rushing Yards	35	78
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	16	23
TDs/Game	1.2	1.4
Age	41	-
Experience	17 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

15.4 PPG for Kirk Cousins versus 11.3 for Joe Flacco in 2025. The baseline favors Kirk Cousins, 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 Flacco or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Joe Flacco's 11.3 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 Flacco and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Flacco or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Joe Flacco by 4.1 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.