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Head to Head

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Joe Flacco vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mac Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mac Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mac Jones edges Joe Flacco by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Mac Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#37
Joe Flacco
PPG
11.3
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,479
Pass TDs
15
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 6
QBSan Francisco 49ers#33PPG LEADER
Mac Jones
PPG
11.8
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,151
Pass TDs
13
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Joe Flacco
Mac Jones

Head to Head

11.3 PPG11.8 PPG
13 GP11 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Joe Flacco finished the 2025 season at 11.3 PPG over 13 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Mac Jones clocked in at 11.8 across 11 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 0.5-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Flacco threw for 2479 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 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 Mac Jones Week 8. 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

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 Flacco (age 41) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Mac Jones outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. 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.
  • Mac Jones is 14 years younger than Joe Flacco (27 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJoe FlaccoMac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)11.311.8
Games Played1311
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)147130
Passing Yards2,4792,151
Passing TDs1513
Pass Yds/Game190.7195.5
Rushing Yards3560
Rushing TDs10
Total TDs1613
TDs/Game1.21.2
Age4127
Experience17 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Mac Jones holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.8 points per game. Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Flacco or Mac Jones in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mac Jones has the edge at 11.8 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 Mac Jones average in 2025?

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?

Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Flacco or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Mac Jones outscored Joe Flacco by 0.5 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.

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