FORTIFIED FANTASY

Week 82026 ยท Half-PPR ยท THIS WEEK

Should I start Brenen Thompson or John Bates this week? Week 8 Half-PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: John Bates

+0.8 projected edge ยท Half-PPR

Start John Bates over Brenen Thompson for Week 8 Half-PPR: 1.3 projected points versus 0.5.

  • Brenen Thompson: 3.75% matchup reduction against LAR.
  • John Bates: 0.5 FP recent scoring average.

Forecast updated ยท Half-PPR

John Bates
Why this pick?

John Bates

Fortified1.3
ESPN1.3
Sleeper1.4
FantasyProsโ€”

John Bates faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.5 fantasy points.

Brenen Thompson

Fortified0.5
ESPN0.3
Sleeper0.7
FantasyProsโ€”

Brenen Thompson faces LAR in Week 8. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 3.75%.

John Bates projects for 1.3 points in half-PPR scoring, 0.8 more than Brenen Thompson. The gap is small; late injury news or your leagueโ€™s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 3:31 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Actuals, projections & playoff outlook

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.

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