Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Marcus Mariota vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Shough has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (14.4 to 12.6), and Tyler Shough's 13 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota 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#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBNew Orleans Saints#24PPG LEADER

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Marcus Mariota

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

12.6 PPG14.4 PPG

10 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Marcus Mariota is producing at 57% 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.

Marcus Mariota vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

Marcus Mariota and Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough posted 14.4 PPG in 11 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Tyler Shough 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 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Marcus Mariota sits Week 7 while Tyler Shough is off Week 8. 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

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

Did You Know?

•Tyler Shough outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Shough played 11 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Tyler Shough contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Shough scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Tyler Shough is 6 years younger than Marcus Mariota (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Marcus Mariota vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Marcus Mariota	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	14.4
Games Played	10	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	158
Passing Yards	1,695	2,384
Passing TDs	10	10
Pass Yds/Game	169.5	216.7
Rushing Yards	297	186
Rushing TDs	1	3
Total TDs	11	13
TDs/Game	1.1	1.2
Age	32	26
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

Tyler Shough outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (14.4 to 12.6). 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 Marcus Mariota or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Shough has the edge at 14.4 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota and Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Marcus Mariota and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Marcus Mariota or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tyler Shough outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.8 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.