Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Anthony Richardson vs Michael Penix Jr.

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Anthony Richardson is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Anthony Richardson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 6.1 PPG in 2025 with 25 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Anthony Richardson is the clear pick. Michael Penix Jr. 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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QBIndianapolis Colts#99PPG LEADER

Anthony Richardson

PPG

19.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,718

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

580

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Anthony Richardson

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

19.5 PPG13.4 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Anthony Richardson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Anthony Richardson is producing at 89% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Anthony Richardson vs Michael Penix Jr.: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Anthony Richardson put up 19.5 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while Michael Penix Jr. managed 13.4 across 9 games with the Atlanta Falcons. A 6.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

The per-game difference of 6.1 points favors Anthony Richardson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Anthony Richardson offers meaningful rushing upside with 580 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Michael Penix Jr. (1982 passing yards, 9 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Anthony Richardson sits Week 14 while Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 5. 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

Anthony Richardson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Penix Jr. is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Anthony Richardson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Anthony Richardson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Anthony Richardson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Anthony Richardson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Anthony Richardson scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Anthony Richardson added 580 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatRichardsonJr.

PPG (Half-PPR)19.513.4

Games Played139

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)254121

Passing Yards2,7181,982

Passing TDs189

Pass Yds/Game209.1220.2

Rushing Yards58070

Rushing TDs71

Total TDs2510

TDs/Game1.91.1

Age-26

Experience-1 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 5

Summary

19.5 PPG for Anthony Richardson versus 13.4 for Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors Anthony Richardson, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Anthony Richardson or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Anthony Richardson has the edge at 19.5 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Anthony Richardson and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Anthony Richardson averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 6.1 points per game.

When are Anthony Richardson and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Anthony Richardson or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 6.1 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.