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Head to Head

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Matthew Stafford vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.6 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Matthew Stafford outscored Shedeur Sanders by 10.0 PPG in 2025 with 46 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Matthew Stafford is the clear pick. Shedeur Sanders profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER
Matthew Stafford
PPG
20.6
Games
17
Pass Yds
4,707
Pass TDs
46
Bye
Week 11
QBCleveland Browns#40
Shedeur Sanders
PPG
10.6
Games
8
Pass Yds
1,400
Pass TDs
7
Rush Yds
169
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Matthew Stafford
Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

20.6 PPG10.6 PPG
17 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Matthew Stafford is producing at 94% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Matthew Stafford vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Matthew Stafford and Shedeur Sanders are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback averaged 20.6 PPG in 2025, a full 10.0 points per game ahead of Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 with the Cleveland Browns. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 10.0-point weekly advantage for Matthew Stafford is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Matthew Stafford threw for 4707 yards and 46 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Matthew Stafford is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Shedeur Sanders is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

  • Matthew Stafford outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 170 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
  • Shedeur Sanders is 14 years younger than Matthew Stafford (24 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
  • Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Matthew Stafford vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMatthew StaffordShedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)20.610.6
Games Played178
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)35085
Passing Yards4,7071,400
Passing TDs467
Pass Yds/Game276.9175.0
Rushing Yards1169
Rushing TDs01
Total TDs468
TDs/Game2.71.0
Age3824
Experience16 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Matthew Stafford at 20.6 PPG, 10.0 points per game above Shedeur Sanders's 10.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Matthew Stafford or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Matthew Stafford and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?

Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 10.0 points per game.

Do Matthew Stafford and Shedeur Sanders share a bye week?

Yes, both Matthew Stafford and Shedeur Sanders share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Matthew Stafford or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Matthew Stafford outscored Shedeur Sanders by 10.0 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.