Joe Flacco vs Matthew Stafford: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 21.1 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals, 12.1 PPG) by 9.0 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
The per-game difference of 9.0 points favors Matthew Stafford, 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 Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 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 12 and Matthew Stafford Week 6. 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.
