Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Patrick Mahomes vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Patrick Mahomes over Tyler Shough in 2026.

Patrick Mahomes averaged 20.4 PPG in 2025 to Tyler Shough's 14.4, a 6.0 point per game edge. Mahomes also stayed healthier, playing 14 games to 11, which steadies his weekly floor. Patrick Mahomes is Tier 1 at the position, Tyler Shough is Tier 5.

The Bottom Line

Patrick Mahomes is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.4 PPG and 3,999 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Tyler Shough (14.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Patrick Mahomes as the starter and Tyler Shough as depth.

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

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Track Patrick Mahomes and Tyler Shough live in the DraftCall app.

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QBKansas City Chiefs#4PPG LEADER

Patrick Mahomes

PPG

20.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,587

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

422

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

QBNew Orleans Saints#24

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Patrick Mahomes

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

20.4 PPG14.4 PPG

14 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Patrick Mahomes: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #4 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Patrick Mahomes is producing at 93% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Patrick Mahomes carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Patrick Mahomes vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) finished the 2025 season averaging 20.4 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints) came in at 14.4 PPG over 11 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Patrick Mahomes carries a 6.0-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.

Patrick Mahomes offers meaningful rushing upside with 422 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Tyler Shough (2384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

One scheduling note: Patrick Mahomes is off Week 5 and Tyler Shough 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

If you can acquire Patrick Mahomes at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Tyler Shough is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Patrick Mahomes (age 30) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Patrick Mahomes outscored Tyler Shough by a projected 102 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Patrick Mahomes played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. That durability gap means Patrick Mahomes contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Patrick Mahomes scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Patrick Mahomes added 422 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•Tyler Shough is 4 years younger than Patrick Mahomes (26 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Patrick Mahomes vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Patrick Mahomes	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.4	14.4
Games Played	14	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	158
Passing Yards	3,587	2,384
Passing TDs	22	10
Pass Yds/Game	256.2	216.7
Rushing Yards	422	186
Rushing TDs	5	3
Total TDs	27	13
TDs/Game	1.9	1.2
Age	30	26
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Patrick Mahomes holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.4 points per game. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 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 Patrick Mahomes or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Patrick Mahomes has the edge at 20.4 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Patrick Mahomes and Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Patrick Mahomes averaged 20.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 6.0 points per game.

When are Patrick Mahomes and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Patrick Mahomes or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes outscored Tyler Shough by 6.0 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.