Michael Penix vs Tua Tagovailoa: Who Should You Start?
Michael Penix (13.7 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (12.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Michael Penix played 9 games for the Atlanta Falcons; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Atlanta Falcons.
A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Michael Penix threw for 1982 yards and 9 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
One thing to note: both players share a Week 12 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.
