Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins is the better play on a neutral week. 15.4 PPG with 3,666 yards gives a reliable baseline. Spencer Rattler at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kirk Cousins higher, but do not fade Spencer Rattler entirely.

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

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QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBNew Orleans Saints#38

Spencer Rattler

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

1,586

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

167

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

15.4 PPG11.0 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Spencer Rattler carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Kirk Cousins and Spencer Rattler is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback put up 15.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints averaged 11.0 in 9. A 4.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.4 points favors Kirk Cousins, 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. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Kirk Cousins is off Week 12 and Spencer Rattler Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kirk Cousins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Spencer Rattler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Spencer Rattler (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 75 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler's 9. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kirk Cousins vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	11.0
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	99
Passing Yards	3,588	1,586
Passing TDs	23	8
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	176.2
Rushing Yards	78	167
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	23	8
TDs/Game	1.4	0.9
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 8

Summary

15.4 PPG for Kirk Cousins versus 11.0 for Spencer Rattler in 2025. The baseline favors Kirk Cousins, 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 Kirk Cousins or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Kirk Cousins and Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.4 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Spencer Rattler by 4.4 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.