Should I start Patrick Mahomes II or Sam Darnold this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: Sam Darnold

+1.0 projected edge · Standard

Start Sam Darnold over Patrick Mahomes II for Week 8 Standard: 15.3 projected points versus 14.3.

Patrick Mahomes II: 8.2 FP recent scoring average.
Sam Darnold: 11.1 FP recent scoring average; 1.25% matchup lift against CHI.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:16 AM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Sam Darnold

QB · SEAStats & schedule

15.3FF projected

↑ +0.5 vs ESPN

vs CHI

Mon 8:15 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Patrick Mahomes II

QB · KCStats & schedule

14.3FF projected

↑ +0.1 vs ESPN

at DEN

Sun 4:25 PM ET

Why this pick?

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%.

Patrick Mahomes II

Fortified14.3

ESPN14.2

Sleeper16.4

FantasyPros15.7

Patrick Mahomes II faces DEN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.2 fantasy points.

Sam Darnold projects for 15.3 points in standard scoring, 1.0 more than Patrick Mahomes II. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:16 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.