Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Flacco is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.3 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Flacco is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Joe Flacco edges Shedeur Sanders by 0.7 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, Joe Flacco 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#37PPG LEADER

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

11.3 PPG10.6 PPG

13 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Flacco vs Shedeur Sanders: 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 Shedeur Sanders clocked in at 10.6 across 8 appearances for the Cleveland Browns. A 0.7-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 Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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 Shedeur Sanders 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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Joe Flacco outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Flacco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
•Shedeur Sanders is 17 years younger than Joe Flacco (24 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	10.6
Games Played	13	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	85
Passing Yards	2,479	1,400
Passing TDs	15	7
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	175.0
Rushing Yards	35	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	16	8
TDs/Game	1.2	1.0
Age	41	24
Experience	17 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

Joe Flacco outscored Shedeur Sanders by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (11.3 to 10.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Flacco or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Flacco has the edge at 11.3 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Flacco or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Flacco outscored Shedeur Sanders by 0.7 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.