Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold is the better play on a neutral week. 13.8 PPG with 4,143 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 Sam Darnold 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

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

11.3 PPG13.8 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Flacco vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joe Flacco and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Joe Flacco finished the 2025 season at 11.3 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (13 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 2.5-point weekly advantage for Sam Darnold 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 Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Joe Flacco sits Week 6 while Sam Darnold is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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

Did You Know?

•Sam Darnold outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Flacco's 13. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam Darnold scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Sam Darnold is 13 years younger than Joe Flacco (28 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	13.8
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	235
Passing Yards	2,479	4,048
Passing TDs	15	25
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	238.1
Rushing Yards	35	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	16	25
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Age	41	28
Experience	17 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG, 2.5 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 Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 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 Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Flacco or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Joe Flacco by 2.5 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.