Should I start Josh Allen or Sam Darnold this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Josh Allen

+9.3 projected edge · Standard

Start Josh Allen over Sam Darnold for Week 8 Standard: 24.6 projected points versus 15.3.

Josh Allen: 24.4 FP recent scoring average.
Sam Darnold: 11.1 FP recent scoring average; 1.25% matchup lift against CHI.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:24 AM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Josh Allen

QB · BUFStats & schedule

24.6FF projected

↑ +0.8 vs ESPN

vs BAL

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

Why this pick?

Josh Allen

Fortified24.6

ESPN23.7

Sleeper24.1

FantasyPros24.2

Josh Allen faces BAL in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 24.4 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%.

Josh Allen projects for 24.6 points in standard scoring, 9.3 more than Sam Darnold. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff. FantasyPros refresh is rate-limited. Same-week cached projections are used (under one hour old; oldest update Oct 28, 2026, 1:07 AM ET).

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:24 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.