Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Penix Jr. vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 yards gives a reliable baseline. Spencer Rattler at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Penix Jr. higher, but do not fade Spencer Rattler entirely.

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

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QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

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

Michael Penix Jr.

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

13.4 PPG11.0 PPG

9 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Michael Penix Jr. is producing at 61% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Penix Jr. vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Michael Penix Jr. and Spencer Rattler for your lineup, you are not alone. Michael Penix Jr. finished the 2025 season at 13.4 PPG for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games), and Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 for the New Orleans Saints (9 games).

That 2.4-point weekly advantage for Michael Penix Jr. 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. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 1982 yards and 9 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.

Michael Penix Jr. has his bye in Week 11, and Spencer Rattler rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. 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?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Penix Jr. scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Penix Jr. vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Penix Jr.	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.4	11.0
Games Played	9	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	99
Passing Yards	1,982	1,586
Passing TDs	9	8
Pass Yds/Game	220.2	176.2
Rushing Yards	70	167
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	10	8
TDs/Game	1.1	0.9
Age	26	25
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG, 2.4 points per game above Spencer Rattler's 11.0. 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 Michael Penix Jr. or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. and Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Michael Penix Jr. and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Penix Jr. or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Spencer Rattler by 2.4 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.