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Head to Head

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Kirk Cousins vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Tyler Shough's 14.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kirk Cousins and Tyler Shough are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-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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QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER
Kirk Cousins
PPG
15.4
Games
16
Pass Yds
3,588
Pass TDs
23
Bye
Week 12
QBNew Orleans Saints#24
Tyler Shough
PPG
14.4
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,384
Pass TDs
10
Rush Yds
186
Rush TDs
3
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Kirk Cousins
Tyler Shough

Head to Head

15.4 PPG14.4 PPG
16 GP11 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Tyler Shough carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Kirk Cousins and Tyler Shough is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG with the Atlanta Falcons across 16 games, and Tyler Shough posted 14.4 with the New Orleans Saints in 11.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Kirk Cousins has his bye in Week 12, and Tyler Shough 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

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: Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Kirk Cousins outscored Tyler Shough by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kirk Cousins vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatKirk CousinsTyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)15.414.4
Games Played1611
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)246158
Passing Yards3,5882,384
Passing TDs2310
Pass Yds/Game224.3216.7
Rushing Yards78186
Rushing TDs03
Total TDs2313
TDs/Game1.41.2
Age-26
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 8

Summary

15.4 PPG for Kirk Cousins versus 14.4 for Tyler Shough in 2025. The baseline favors Kirk Cousins, 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 Kirk Cousins or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Kirk Cousins and Tyler Shough average in 2025?

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Kirk Cousins outscored Tyler Shough by 1.0 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.