Should I start Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Kirk Cousins

+1.2 projected edge · Standard

Start Kirk Cousins over Sam Darnold for Week 8 Standard: 16.5 projected points versus 15.3.

Kirk Cousins: 17.6 FP recent scoring average.
Sam Darnold: 11.1 FP recent scoring average; 1.25% matchup lift against CHI.

Forecast updated Oct 29, 2026, 3:57 AM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Kirk Cousins

QB · LVStats & schedule

16.5FF projected

↓ -0.1 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

Why this pick?

Kirk Cousins

Fortified16.5

ESPN16.6

Sleeper16.6

FantasyPros15.9

Boosted TreesExperimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET15.1

WorkloadExperimental · includes FantasyPros stat inputs · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET16.7

Monte CarloExperimental · central 80%: 6.9–26.7 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET16.6

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

Sam Darnold

Fortified15.3

ESPN14.8

Sleeper14.9

FantasyPros16.6

Boosted TreesExperimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET16.4

WorkloadExperimental · includes FantasyPros stat inputs · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET14.2

Monte CarloExperimental · central 80%: 6.2–23.7 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET14.8

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 16.5 points in standard scoring, 1.2 more than Sam Darnold. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff.

Updated Oct 29, 2026, 3:57 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.