Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Bo NixWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bo Nix is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bo Nix is the better fantasy play this season.

Bo Nix is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.9 PPG and 4,287 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Andy Dalton (9.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Bo Nix as the starter and Andy Dalton as depth.

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

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBDenver Broncos#11PPG LEADER

Bo Nix

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,931

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

356

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Bo Nix

Head to Head

9.8 PPG17.9 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Bo Nix: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Bo Nix at 81%. That ranking gap means Bo Nix carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Bo Nix: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Bo Nix put up 17.9 fantasy points per game for the Denver Broncos in 2025, while Andy Dalton managed 9.8 across 10 games with the Carolina Panthers. A 8.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

A 8.1-PPG gap gives Bo Nix the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Bo Nix posted 3931 yards and 25 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: Andy Dalton sits Week 11 while Bo Nix is off Week 10. 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

If you can acquire Bo Nix at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Andy Dalton is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Bo Nix (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Bo Nix outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 138 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bo Nix played 17 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Bo Nix contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bo Nix scored 30 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Bo Nix added 356 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Bo Nix: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Bo Nix
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	17.9
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	304
Passing Yards	1,925	3,931
Passing TDs	10	25
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	231.2
Rushing Yards	42	356
Rushing TDs	0	5
Total TDs	10	30
TDs/Game	1.0	1.8
Age	-	26
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

Bo Nix outscored Andy Dalton by 8.1 PPG in 2025 (17.9 to 9.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Bo Nix in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bo Nix has the edge at 17.9 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 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 Andy Dalton and Bo Nix average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Bo Nix averaged 17.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.1 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Bo Nix's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Bo Nix (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Bo Nix a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bo Nix outscored Andy Dalton by 8.1 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.