Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Lamar Jackson vs Matthew Stafford

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

Matthew Stafford is the better play on a neutral week. 20.6 PPG with 4,708 yards gives a reliable baseline. Lamar Jackson at 16.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Matthew Stafford higher, but do not fade Lamar Jackson entirely.

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

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QBBaltimore Ravens#16

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Lamar Jackson

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

16.5 PPG20.6 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Lamar Jackson is producing at 75% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Lamar Jackson vs Matthew Stafford: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback put up 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 20.6 in 17. A 4.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.1 points favors Matthew Stafford, 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Lamar Jackson threw for 2549 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford posted 4707 yards and 46 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Lamar Jackson sits Week 7 while Matthew Stafford is off Week 8. 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

Matthew Stafford is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Lamar Jackson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Lamar Jackson by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford played 17 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. 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.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•Lamar Jackson is 9 years younger than Matthew Stafford (29 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatJacksonStafford

PPG (Half-PPR)16.520.6

Games Played1317

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)215350

Passing Yards2,5494,707

Passing TDs2146

Pass Yds/Game196.1276.9

Rushing Yards3491

Rushing TDs20

Total TDs2346

TDs/Game1.82.7

Age2938

Experience7 yrs16 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

20.6 PPG for Matthew Stafford versus 16.5 for Lamar Jackson in 2025. The baseline favors Matthew Stafford, 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 Lamar Jackson or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Lamar Jackson or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Lamar Jackson by 4.1 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.