Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kyler Murray vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Kyler Murray's 15.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

Matthew Stafford is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.6 PPG and 4,708 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Kyler Murray (15.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Matthew Stafford as the starter and Kyler Murray as depth.

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

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QBArizona Cardinals#22

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kyler Murray

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

15.6 PPG20.6 PPG

5 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray is producing at 71% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kyler Murray vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG across 5 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Matthew Stafford posted 20.6 PPG in 17 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams.

A 5.0-PPG gap gives Matthew Stafford 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Kyler Murray threw for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Kyler Murray is off Week 14 and Matthew Stafford 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

If you can acquire Matthew Stafford at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Kyler Murray is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Kyler Murray by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Matthew Stafford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Kyler Murray is 10 years younger than Matthew Stafford (28 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kyler Murray vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kyler Murray	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.6	20.6
Games Played	5	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	350
Passing Yards	962	4,707
Passing TDs	6	46
Pass Yds/Game	192.4	276.9
Rushing Yards	173	1
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	7	46
TDs/Game	1.4	2.7
Age	28	38
Experience	6 yrs	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Matthew Stafford outscored Kyler Murray by 5.0 PPG in 2025 (20.6 to 15.6). 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 Kyler Murray or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Kyler Murray's 15.6 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 Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kyler Murray or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Kyler Murray by 5.0 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.