FORTIFIED FANTASY

Week 82026 ยท Standard ยท THIS WEEK

Should I start John Bates or Michael Pittman Jr. this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: John Bates

+0.8 projected edge ยท Standard

Start John Bates over Michael Pittman Jr. for Week 8 Standard: 0.9 projected points versus 0.1.

  • John Bates: 0.2 FP recent scoring average.
  • Michael Pittman Jr.: 1.5 FP recent scoring average.

Forecast updated ยท Standard

John Bates
Why this pick?

John Bates

Fortified0.9
ESPN1.0
Sleeper0.9
FantasyProsโ€”

John Bates faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.2 fantasy points.

Michael Pittman Jr.

Fortified0.1
ESPN0.0
Sleeper0.0
FantasyProsโ€”

Michael Pittman Jr. faces CLE in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 1.5 fantasy points.

John Bates projects for 0.9 points in standard scoring, 0.8 more than Michael Pittman Jr.. The gap is small; late injury news or your leagueโ€™s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 4:38 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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