Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Marcus Mariota vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

Marcus Mariota has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (12.6 to 11.0), and Marcus Mariota's 11 touchdowns show scoring upside. Spencer Rattler is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBWashington Commanders#31PPG LEADER

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBNew Orleans Saints#38

Spencer Rattler

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

1,586

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

167

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Marcus Mariota

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

12.6 PPG11.0 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Marcus Mariota is producing at 57% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Marcus Mariota vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

Marcus Mariota and Spencer Rattler are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG across 10 games with the Washington Commanders, while Spencer Rattler posted 11.0 PPG in 9 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.

A 1.6-PPG gap gives Marcus Mariota 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. Marcus Mariota threw for 1695 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Marcus Mariota is off Week 7 and Spencer Rattler Week 8. 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

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: Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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?

•Marcus Mariota outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler's 9. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marcus Mariota scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Spencer Rattler is 7 years younger than Marcus Mariota (25 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Marcus Mariota vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Marcus Mariota	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	11.0
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	99
Passing Yards	1,695	1,586
Passing TDs	10	8
Pass Yds/Game	169.5	176.2
Rushing Yards	297	167
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	11	8
TDs/Game	1.1	0.9
Age	32	25
Experience	10 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

Marcus Mariota outscored Spencer Rattler by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (12.6 to 11.0). 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 Marcus Mariota or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota and Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Marcus Mariota and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota (WAS) 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 Marcus Mariota or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored Spencer Rattler by 1.6 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.