Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 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 Michael Penix Jr. 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#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

11.3 PPG13.4 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Flacco and Michael Penix Jr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Flacco finished the 2025 season at 11.3 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (13 games), and Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 2.1-point weekly advantage for Michael Penix Jr. 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 Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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 Michael Penix Jr. 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

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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.
•Michael Penix Jr. is 15 years younger than Joe Flacco (26 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	13.4
Games Played	13	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	121
Passing Yards	2,479	1,982
Passing TDs	15	9
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	220.2
Rushing Yards	35	70
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	16	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	41	26
Experience	17 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG, 2.1 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Flacco or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Flacco (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Flacco or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Joe Flacco by 2.1 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.