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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Michael Pittman vs Rashee RiceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rashee Rice is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.5 PPG to Michael Pittman's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rashee Rice is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Rashee Rice outscored Michael Pittman by 5.9 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Rashee Rice is the clear pick. Michael Pittman profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver 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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WRIndianapolis Colts#33
Michael Pittman
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
80
Rec Yds
784
Rec TDs
7
Targets
111
Bye
Week 13
WRKansas City Chiefs#5PPG LEADER
Rashee Rice
PPG
15.5
Games
8
Rec
53
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
78
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Pittman
Rashee Rice

Head to Head

9.6 PPG15.5 PPG
17 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Rashee Rice at 70%. That ranking gap means Rashee Rice carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Rashee Rice: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Michael Pittman and Rashee Rice for your lineup, you are not alone. Michael Pittman finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Indianapolis Colts (17 games), and Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 for the Kansas City Chiefs (8 games).

That 5.9-point weekly advantage for Rashee Rice 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.

Target volume is the story here. Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025, while Rashee Rice drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Pittman, even in weeks where Rashee Rice posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Michael Pittman is off Week 13 and Rashee Rice Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Rashee Rice is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Pittman is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Rashee Rice outscored Michael Pittman by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Pittman vs Rashee Rice: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael PittmanRashee Rice
PPG (Half-PPR)9.615.5
Games Played178
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163124
Receptions8053
Rec/Game4.76.6
Receiving Yards784571
Rec Yds/Game46.171.4
Receiving TDs75
Targets11178
Target Share/Game6.59.8
Age2826
Experience5 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rashee Rice at 15.5 PPG, 5.9 points per game above Michael Pittman's 9.6. 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 Michael Pittman or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashee Rice has the edge at 15.5 PPG compared to Michael Pittman's 9.6 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 Michael Pittman and Rashee Rice average in 2025?

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Rashee Rice a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Rashee Rice outscored Michael Pittman by 5.9 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.