Matthew Stafford vs Kirk Cousins
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
Start Matthew Stafford this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.5 projected points (18.5 vs 17.0).
Matthew Stafford faces BUF, the 12th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week. Kirk Cousins faces NE, the 16th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Matthew Stafford, and it isn't close: 18.8 points of value over replacement separate them (20.2 vs 1.4).
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Matthew StaffordLAR | Kirk CousinsLVR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | BUF | NE | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 18.5 | 17.0 | Stafford +1.5 pts |
| Matchup rank (QB vs defense, of 30) | #12 | #16 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 305.4 | 286.7 | Stafford +18.8 pts |
| Points per game | 18.0 | 16.9 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 20.2 | 1.4 | Stafford +18.8 |
| Overall rank | #49 | #68 | Stafford by 19 |
| Position rank | QB7 | QB11 | |
| Market ADP | 74.2 | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 7 | - | |
| Bye week | 11 | 13 |
Should I start Matthew Stafford or Kirk Cousins in Week 5?
Start Matthew Stafford this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.5 projected points (18.5 vs 17.0).
Should I draft Matthew Stafford or Kirk Cousins in 2026 fantasy football?
Matthew Stafford. He projects 305.4 fantasy points with 20.2 value over replacement, vs 286.7 points and 1.4 for Kirk Cousins (QB, PPR).