Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Matthew Stafford vs Sam Darnold

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Matthew Stafford is the better fantasy play this season.

Matthew Stafford is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.6 PPG and 4,708 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Sam Darnold (13.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Matthew Stafford as the starter and Sam Darnold as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBLos Angeles Rams#3PPG LEADER

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Matthew Stafford

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

20.6 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Matthew Stafford is producing at 94% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Matthew Stafford carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Matthew Stafford vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Matthew Stafford put up 20.6 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, while Sam Darnold managed 13.8 across 17 games with the Seattle Seahawks. A 6.8-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

Matthew Stafford carries a 6.8-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Matthew Stafford threw for 4707 yards and 46 touchdowns, while Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 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 8 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Matthew Stafford at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Sam Darnold is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Matthew Stafford outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 116 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Sam Darnold is 10 years younger than Matthew Stafford (28 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 8 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatStaffordDarnold

PPG (Half-PPR)20.613.8

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)350235

Passing Yards4,7074,048

Passing TDs4625

Pass Yds/Game276.9238.1

Rushing Yards195

Rushing TDs00

Total TDs4625

TDs/Game2.71.5

Age3828

Experience16 yrs7 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Matthew Stafford holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.6 points per game. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Matthew Stafford or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Matthew Stafford has the edge at 20.6 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.8 points per game.

Do Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Matthew Stafford or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Matthew Stafford outscored Sam Darnold by 6.8 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.