Should I start Ryan Flournoy or Sam LaPorta this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Ryan Flournoy

Week 8 · Standard

Recent scoring favors Ryan Flournoy: 8.7 versus 8.3 FP per game. Ryan Flournoy receives the better positional matchup adjustment (3.75% versus -10%).

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:09 AM ET · Standard

RESEARCH PICK

Ryan Flournoy

WR · DALStats & schedule

6.6FF projected

↑ +0.8 vs ESPN

vs ARI

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Sam LaPorta

TE · DETStats & schedule

6.3FF projected

↓ -0.3 vs ESPN

vs MIN

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Experimental research pick, not a proven win probability. This does not change either FF projection.

Ryan Flournoy

FF6.6 FP

Boosted Trees5.3 FP

Workload6.0 FP

Monte Carlo6.1 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: 1.1–13.0 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 9.5 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.2 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 8.7 FP.
The ARI defensive matchup changes the FF estimate up 3.75%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 5.4 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include KaVontae Turpin, Emari Demercado; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 6.0 targets per game.

Sam LaPorta

FF6.3 FP

Boosted Trees4.7 FP

Workload6.8 FP

Monte Carlo6.7 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -0.1–16.1 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 14.8 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 2.3 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 8.3 FP.
The MIN defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 10%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 5.9 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Amon-Ra St. Brown; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 7.3 targets per game.

Experimental models are research signals, not a validated tiebreaker yet. Missing saved results stay blank. No simulations or training were run for this request.

Ryan Flournoy

Fortified6.6

ESPN5.8

Sleeper5.5

FantasyPros5.8

Ryan Flournoy faces ARI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.7 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 3.75%.

Sam LaPorta

Fortified6.3

ESPN6.7

Sleeper6.9

FantasyPros6.9

Sam LaPorta faces MIN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 10%.

Ryan Flournoy projects for 6.6 points in standard scoring, 0.3 more than Sam LaPorta. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:09 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.