Should I start Riley Nowakowski or Zay Flowers this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Zay Flowers

+14.4 projected edge · Standard

Start Zay Flowers over Riley Nowakowski for Week 8 Standard: 14.5 projected points versus 0.1.

Zay Flowers: 11.0 FP recent scoring average; 10% matchup lift against BUF.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:38 AM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Zay Flowers

WR · BALStats & schedule

14.5FF projected

↑ +1.2 vs ESPN

at BUF

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Riley Nowakowski

RB · PITStats & schedule

0.1FF projected

vs CLE

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

Zay Flowers

Fortified14.5

ESPN13.2

Sleeper12.7

FantasyPros12.2

Zay Flowers faces BUF in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 11.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 10%.

Riley Nowakowski

Fortified0.1

Sleeper0.1

Riley Nowakowski faces CLE in Week 8.

Zay Flowers projects for 14.5 points in standard scoring, 14.4 more than Riley Nowakowski. 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, 12:15 AM ET).

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 12:38 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Your next decision

Tap a player for alternatives, or search a name.

First playerSecond player

SEE THE WHOLE SEASON

Don’t just win Sunday.
Win what’s next.

Your roster. Every week.
A plan for the playoffs.

WEEK 8PLAYOFFS ♛

Build my Game Plan Your team. Your league’s rules.See an example GamePlan ↗

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.