Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Matthew Stafford outscored Joe Flacco by 9.3 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford is the clear pick. Joe Flacco profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#37

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

11.3 PPG20.6 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals, 11.3 PPG) by 9.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 9.3 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 6 and Matthew Stafford Week 11. 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

Matthew Stafford 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. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 158 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Flacco's 13. That durability gap means Matthew Stafford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	20.6
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	350
Passing Yards	2,479	4,707
Passing TDs	15	46
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	276.9
Rushing Yards	35	1
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	16	46
TDs/Game	1.2	2.7
Age	41	38
Experience	17 yrs	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

20.6 PPG for Matthew Stafford versus 11.3 for Joe Flacco in 2025. The baseline favors Matthew Stafford, 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 Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 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 Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 9.3 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Flacco or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Joe Flacco by 9.3 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.