Josh Allen vs Lamar Jackson: Who Should You Start?
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Josh Allen averaged 22.0 PPG across 17 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Lamar Jackson posted 17.1 PPG in 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens.
A 4.9-PPG gap gives Josh Allen the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Josh Allen offers meaningful rushing upside with 579 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Lamar Jackson (2549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Josh Allen sits Week 12 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.