FORTIFIED FANTASY

Week 82026 ยท PPR ยท THIS WEEK

Should I start John Bates or Riley Nowakowski this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start John Bates

+1.6 projected edge ยท PPR

Start John Bates over Riley Nowakowski for Week 8 PPR: 1.6 projected points versus 0.1.

  • John Bates: 0.8 FP recent scoring average.
  • Riley Nowakowski: 8.75% matchup reduction against CLE.

Forecast updated ยท PPR

John Bates
Why this pick?

John Bates

Fortified1.6
ESPN1.6
Sleeper1.8
FantasyProsโ€”

John Bates faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.8 fantasy points.

Riley Nowakowski

Fortified0.1
ESPNโ€”
Sleeper0.1
FantasyProsโ€”

Riley Nowakowski faces CLE in Week 8. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 8.75%.

John Bates projects for 1.6 points in PPR scoring, 1.6 more than Riley Nowakowski. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff.

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 5:28 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Actuals, projections & playoff outlook

Your next decision

Tap a player for alternatives, or search a name.

SEE THE WHOLE SEASON

Donโ€™t just win Sunday.
Win whatโ€™s next.

Your roster. Every week.
A plan for the playoffs.

WEEK 7PLAYOFFS โ™›
Build my Game Plan Your team. Your leagueโ€™s rules.
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.

More Week 8 decisions

Still deciding on John Bates?

TE ยท Week 8John Bates or Trey McBride?1.6 vs 19.1 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
TE ยท Week 8John Bates or Will Kacmarek?1.6 vs 1.6 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
TE ยท Week 8John Bates or Blake Whiteheart?1.6 vs 1.6 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
TE ยท Week 8John Bates or Mitchell Evans?1.6 vs 1.7 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—

Other close calls

RB ยท Week 8Kenneth Walker III or Jahmyr Gibbs?23.0 vs 22.2 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
RB ยท Week 8Jahmyr Gibbs or Kyren Williams?22.2 vs 20.3 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
RB ยท Week 8Kyren Williams or Derrick Henry?20.3 vs 19.8 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
RB ยท Week 8Derrick Henry or Javonte Williams?19.8 vs 19.2 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
RB ยท Week 8Javonte Williams or Bijan Robinson?19.2 vs 19.1 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
RB ยท Week 8Bijan Robinson or Chuba Hubbard?19.1 vs 18.4 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
Compare other players Week 8