Should I start Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold 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 34.0 for Sam Darnold. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points. Recent scoring favors Kirk Cousins: 17.6 versus 11.1 FP per game.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:16 AM ET · Half-PPR

RESEARCH PICK

Kirk Cousins

QB · LVStats & schedule

15.7FF projected

↓ -0.9 vs ESPN

at NYJ

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Sam Darnold

QB · SEAStats & schedule

15.3FF projected

↑ +0.5 vs ESPN

vs CHI

Mon 8:15 PM ET

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

Kirk Cousins

FF15.7 FP

Boosted Trees15.1 FP

Workload16.7 FP

Monte Carlo16.7 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: 7.0–26.8 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 Dont'e Thornton Jr., Jack Bech, Carter Runyon; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 40.3 pass attempts per game.

Sam Darnold

FF15.3 FP

Boosted Trees16.5 FP

Workload14.2 FP

Monte Carlo14.8 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: 6.2–23.6 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 9.7 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate up 1.1 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 11.1 FP.
The CHI defensive matchup changes the FF estimate up 1.25%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 0.0 targets and 1.6 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Drew Lock, Rashid Shaheed, Velus Jones Jr., Zach Charbonnet, Jadarian Price; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 34.0 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

Fortified15.7

ESPN16.6

Sleeper16.5

FantasyPros14.2

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

Sam Darnold

Fortified15.3

ESPN14.8

Sleeper14.9

FantasyPros16.6

Sam Darnold faces CHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 11.1 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 1.25%.

Kirk Cousins projects for 15.7 points in half-PPR scoring, 0.4 more than Sam Darnold. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:16 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.