Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Lamar Jackson vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Lamar Jackson is the better play on a neutral week. 16.5 PPG with 2,898 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Lamar Jackson higher, but do not fade Michael Penix Jr. entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Lamar Jackson

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

16.5 PPG13.4 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Lamar Jackson is producing at 75% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Lamar Jackson vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Lamar Jackson and Michael Penix Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback put up 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 13.4 in 9. A 3.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.1 points favors Lamar Jackson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Lamar Jackson threw for 2549 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Lamar Jackson sits Week 13 while Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Lamar Jackson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Penix Jr. is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Lamar Jackson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Lamar Jackson vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Lamar Jackson	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	13.4
Games Played	13	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	215	121
Passing Yards	2,549	1,982
Passing TDs	21	9
Pass Yds/Game	196.1	220.2
Rushing Yards	349	70
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	23	10
TDs/Game	1.8	1.1
Age	29	26
Experience	7 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

16.5 PPG for Lamar Jackson versus 13.4 for Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors Lamar Jackson, 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 Lamar Jackson or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Lamar Jackson and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Lamar Jackson and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Lamar Jackson or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 3.1 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.