FORTIFIED FANTASY

Week 82026 ยท Standard ยท THIS WEEK

Should I start Harrison Butker or Jake Bates this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: Jake Bates

+0.6 projected edge ยท Standard

Start Jake Bates over Harrison Butker for Week 8 Standard: 9.4 projected points versus 8.8.

  • Harrison Butker: 8.5 FP recent scoring average; 5% matchup reduction against DEN.
  • Jake Bates: 14.0 FP recent scoring average; 1.25% matchup reduction against MIN.

Forecast updated ยท Standard

Jake Bates
Why this pick?

Jake Bates

Fortified9.4
ESPN8.4
Sleeper8.3
FantasyProsโ€”

Jake Bates faces MIN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 14.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 1.25%.

Harrison Butker

Fortified8.8
ESPN10.4
Sleeper7.8
FantasyProsโ€”

Harrison Butker faces DEN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.5 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 5%.

Jake Bates projects for 9.4 points in standard scoring, 0.6 more than Harrison Butker. The gap is small; late injury news or your leagueโ€™s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 2:33 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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