DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyler Murray is the better play on a neutral week. 15.6 PPG with 1,135 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 Kyler Murray higher, but do not fade Joe Flacco entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Joe Flacco and Kyler Murray in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
QBCincinnati Bengals#37
Joe Flacco
PPG
11.3
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,479
Pass TDs
15
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 6
QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER
Kyler Murray
PPG
15.6
Games
5
Pass Yds
962
Pass TDs
6
Rush Yds
173
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Joe Flacco
Kyler Murray

Head to Head

11.3 PPG15.6 PPG
13 GP5 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Flacco and Kyler Murray for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Flacco finished the 2025 season at 11.3 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (13 games), and Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 for the Arizona Cardinals (5 games).

That 4.3-point weekly advantage for Kyler Murray 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 Flacco threw for 2479 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 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 Kyler Murray Week 14. 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

Kyler Murray 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. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Kyler Murray outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Joe Flacco contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Joe Flacco scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
  • Kyler Murray is 13 years younger than Joe Flacco (28 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJoe FlaccoKyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)11.315.6
Games Played135
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)14778
Passing Yards2,479962
Passing TDs156
Pass Yds/Game190.7192.4
Rushing Yards35173
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs167
TDs/Game1.21.4
Age4128
Experience17 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyler Murray at 15.6 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Joe Flacco's 11.3. 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Joe Flacco vs Kyler Murray

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Joe Flacco vs Kyler Murray

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Flacco or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray average in 2025?

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?

Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Flacco or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Kyler Murray outscored Joe Flacco by 4.3 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.