Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Flacco vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.5 PPG to Joe Flacco's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Flacco are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCincinnati Bengals#37

Joe Flacco

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,479

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBMiami Dolphins#35PPG LEADER

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Joe Flacco

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

11.3 PPG11.5 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Flacco: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #37 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Joe Flacco is producing at 51% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Flacco vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Joe Flacco (11.3 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (11.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Joe Flacco played 13 games for the Cincinnati Bengals; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Joe Flacco threw for 2479 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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

Did You Know?

•Tua Tagovailoa outscored Joe Flacco by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Joe Flacco's 13. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tua Tagovailoa scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Tua Tagovailoa is 13 years younger than Joe Flacco (28 vs 41), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Flacco vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Flacco	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	11.5
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	161
Passing Yards	2,479	2,660
Passing TDs	15	20
Pass Yds/Game	190.7	190.0
Rushing Yards	35	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	16	20
TDs/Game	1.2	1.4
Age	41	28
Experience	17 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

11.5 PPG for Tua Tagovailoa versus 11.3 for Joe Flacco in 2025. The baseline favors Tua Tagovailoa, 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 Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tua Tagovailoa has the edge at 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Joe Flacco averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

Do Joe Flacco and Tua Tagovailoa share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Joe Flacco and Tua Tagovailoa share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Joe Flacco or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tua Tagovailoa outscored Joe Flacco by 0.2 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.