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Head to Head

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Justin Herbert vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Justin Herbert outscored Spencer Rattler by 6.9 PPG in 2025 with 28 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Justin Herbert is the clear pick. Spencer Rattler profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBLos Angeles Chargers#10PPG LEADER
Justin Herbert
PPG
17.9
Games
16
Pass Yds
3,727
Pass TDs
26
Rush Yds
498
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 7
QBNew Orleans Saints#38
Spencer Rattler
PPG
11.0
Games
9
Pass Yds
1,586
Pass TDs
8
Rush Yds
167
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Justin Herbert
Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

17.9 PPG11.0 PPG
16 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Herbert: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #10 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Herbert is producing at 81% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Justin Herbert carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Herbert vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

Justin Herbert and Spencer Rattler are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback averaged 17.9 PPG in 2025, a full 6.9 points per game ahead of Spencer Rattler's 11.0 with the New Orleans Saints. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 6.9-point weekly advantage for Justin Herbert 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.

Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Spencer Rattler (1586 passing yards, 8 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Justin Herbert has his bye in Week 7, and Spencer Rattler rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Justin Herbert is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Spencer Rattler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Justin Herbert (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Spencer Rattler (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

  • Justin Herbert outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 117 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Justin Herbert played 16 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler's 9. That durability gap means Justin Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Justin Herbert scored 28 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
  • Justin Herbert added 498 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Herbert vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJustin HerbertSpencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)17.911.0
Games Played169
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)28699
Passing Yards3,7271,586
Passing TDs268
Pass Yds/Game232.9176.2
Rushing Yards498167
Rushing TDs20
Total TDs288
TDs/Game1.80.9
Age2825
Experience5 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Justin Herbert at 17.9 PPG, 6.9 points per game above Spencer Rattler's 11.0. 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 Justin Herbert or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Herbert has the edge at 17.9 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Justin Herbert and Spencer Rattler average in 2025?

Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 6.9 points per game.

When are Justin Herbert and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?

Justin Herbert (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Justin Herbert or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Justin Herbert outscored Spencer Rattler by 6.9 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.