Should I start Kirk Cousins or Malik Willis this week? Week 8 Half-PPR (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Kirk Cousins

Week 8 · Half-PPR

Kirk Cousins averaged 40.3 pass attempts per game across the last 3 recorded games, compared with 26.7 for Malik Willis. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points.

Forecast updated Oct 29, 2026, 5:33 AM ET · Half-PPR

RESEARCH PICK

Kirk Cousins

QB · LVStats & schedule

16.5FF projected

↓ -0.1 vs ESPN

at NYJ

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Malik Willis

QB · MIAStats & schedule

16.6FF projected

↑ +0.4 vs ESPN

vs NE

Sun 4:25 PM ET

Experimental research pick, not a proven win probability. This does not change either FF projection.

Kirk Cousins

FF16.5 FP

Boosted Trees15.1 FP

Workload16.7 FP

Monte Carlo16.6 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: 6.9–26.7 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 16.1 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.7 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 17.6 FP.
The saved workload scenario allocates 0.0 targets and 1.6 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Ian Thomas, Brock Bowers, Jack Bech, Carter Runyon; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 40.3 pass attempts per game.

Malik Willis

FF16.6 FP

Boosted Trees12.7 FP

Workload15.3 FP

Monte Carlo15.1 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: 6.3–24.5 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 18.9 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 1.0 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 22.4 FP.
The saved workload scenario allocates 0.0 targets and 6.2 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Greg Dulcich, Jared Wayne, Malik Washington, Will Kacmarek; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 26.7 pass attempts per game.

Experimental models are research signals, not a validated tiebreaker yet. Missing saved results stay blank. No simulations or training were run for this request.

Kirk Cousins

Fortified16.5

ESPN16.6

Sleeper16.6

FantasyPros15.9

Boosted TreesExperimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET15.1

WorkloadExperimental · includes FantasyPros stat inputs · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET16.7

Monte CarloExperimental · central 80%: 6.9–26.7 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET16.6

Kirk Cousins faces NYJ in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 17.6 fantasy points.

Malik Willis

Fortified16.6

ESPN16.2

Sleeper13.3

FantasyPros16.0

Boosted TreesExperimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET12.7

WorkloadExperimental · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET15.3

Monte CarloExperimental · conditional on availability · central 80%: 6.3–24.5 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET15.1

Malik Willis faces NE in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 22.4 fantasy points.

Malik Willis projects for 16.6 points in half-PPR scoring, 0.1 more than Kirk Cousins. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 29, 2026, 5:33 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

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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.