Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2026 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Jacoby Brissett, QB (ARI)
Jacoby Brissett has become an intriguing streaming option because of the substantial passing volume Arizona continues giving him. He leads the NFL with 282 pass attempts through seven games, averaging 40.3 per contest, while ranking second in completions. Brissett attempted 48 passes against Denver in Week 7, throwing for 272 yards and a touchdown, and has exceeded 18.5 fantasy points in three of his last five games. His passing efficiency hasn’t always matched that volume, with his 6.8-yard average depth of target ranking 31st among 37 qualifying quarterbacks. He’s also finished below 12.8 fantasy points in three of seven appearances, including a disappointing 6.9-point performance in Week 6. However, Arizona’s willingness to throw the football gives him a valuable foundation, particularly when the Cardinals are forced to play from behind.
Dallas has allowed 19.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the sixth-most in the NFL, while surrendering the sixth-most EPA per dropback over its last five games. The Cowboys have also allowed the sixth-most yards per attempt and sixth-highest completion percentage over expected during that stretch, creating opportunities for Brissett to improve his passing efficiency. Arizona enters the matchup as a seven-point underdog in a game featuring a 54.5-point total, the highest among this week’s quarterback matchups, while its backfield is dealing with injuries to Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier. The Cardinals also operate at a relatively fast pace, using no-huddle on 11% of their offensive snaps, the fourth-highest rate in the league. That combination could create another pass-heavy game script against a defense that has struggled to prevent efficient passing production. I’m starting Brissett as a strong streaming option with low-end QB1 upside because his substantial passing volume and favorable matchup provide an excellent opportunity for Week 8.
Matthew Stafford, QB (LAR)
Matthew Stafford continues producing useful fantasy performances despite some inconsistency in his passing efficiency, entering Week 8 with an NFL-leading 1,989 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 195 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Las Vegas in Week 7, finishing with 17.5 fantasy points under standard four-point passing touchdown scoring. Stafford has exceeded 20 fantasy points in three of his last six appearances, demonstrating that his weekly production has been more volatile than his touchdown totals might suggest. However, Los Angeles continues operating one of the league’s most efficient offenses, recording a successful play on 54% of its offensive snaps, the third-highest rate in the NFL. The Rams have also been dealing with receiving injuries, with Davante Adams on injured reserve and Puka Nacua managing a calf issue. Those absences have occasionally forced Stafford to distribute the ball to less-established receiving options, although the offense has continued finding ways to generate scoring opportunities.
The Chargers have allowed approximately 14.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the seventh-fewest in the NFL, making this a difficult matchup despite Stafford’s recent touchdown production. Los Angeles has allowed only one opposing quarterback to exceed 20 fantasy points this season, although its underlying passing-defense metrics have been closer to league average. Over their last five games, the Chargers have surrendered the tenth-most yards per attempt while ranking near the middle of the league in passing success rate allowed. The Rams enter Sunday’s matchup as 6.5-point favorites with an implied team total of approximately 26 points, creating opportunities for Stafford to continue producing touchdowns even if his passing volume remains relatively modest. The Chargers also average just 15 points per game offensively, which could allow the Rams to control the game without needing an especially aggressive passing approach. Still, Stafford’s offensive environment and touchdown upside make him a dependable starting option. I’m viewing him as a low-end QB1 for Week 8, although his lack of rushing production and difficult matchup create some volatility.
Kirk Cousins, QB (LV)
Kirk Cousins has quietly become one of fantasy football’s more productive quarterbacks, entering Week 8 with 1,877 passing yards, an NFL-leading 16 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s exceeded 18.5 fantasy points in five of his last six games, demonstrating encouraging consistency despite Las Vegas struggling to win games. Cousins has also avoided a complete fantasy collapse through seven appearances, with his lowest output sitting at approximately 13.8 points. His connection with Tre Tucker has become particularly important, providing explosive passing plays and valuable touchdown opportunities in an offense that hasn’t consistently sustained drives. However, Cousins offers virtually no rushing production, making him heavily dependent on passing volume and touchdowns. Las Vegas has also converted just 44% of its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, the fifth-lowest rate in the NFL, raising concerns about whether Cousins can maintain his current touchdown production.
The Jets have allowed 16.5 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, ranking near the middle of the NFL, although their recent defensive performances suggest a more favorable matchup. Over their last five games, New York has surrendered the eighth-highest passing touchdown rate, fifth-highest passing success rate, and seventh-most EPA per dropback. However, the Jets also operate one of the league’s slower offenses, averaging just 58.1 plays per game, which could limit Las Vegas’ total possessions. The matchup carries a relatively modest 45.5-point total, while Brock Bowers’ uncertain availability because of a calf injury creates another concern for Cousins’ receiving options. His Week 8 projection of 14.5 fantasy points ranks just QB26, highlighting the risk of relying on his recent touchdown production to continue. I’m keeping Cousins as a matchup-dependent streaming start because of his recent consistency and the Jets’ defensive struggles.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Caleb Williams, QB (CHI)
Caleb Williams has been impressive since returning from his hamstring injury, throwing for more than 300 yards in consecutive games while continuing to develop his connection with Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns against New England in Week 7, demonstrating how dangerous Chicago’s passing attack can become when its receiving options are healthy. Williams has also completed 71% of his passes this season, the second-highest rate among qualifying quarterbacks, while Chicago leads the NFL with 72.1 offensive plays per game. However, his rushing production has declined considerably since returning, recording just 21 rushing yards over his last two appearances after generating 107 yards on 15 carries through the opening two weeks. His mobility was previously an important part of his fantasy ceiling, making the recent reduction particularly concerning against a difficult opponent.
Seattle presents one of the toughest quarterback matchups in fantasy football, allowing just 10.4 fantasy points per game to the position, the second-fewest in the NFL. The Seahawks have also surrendered a league-low 144.4 passing yards per game while allowing successful plays on just 40% of opposing offensive snaps, the second-lowest rate in football. Their recent defensive performances have been particularly impressive, holding Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes to a combined 10.5 fantasy points over the last two weeks. Chicago’s league-leading offensive pace and Williams’ improved passing efficiency create some upside, but Seattle’s ability to limit explosive plays makes another 300-yard performance difficult to project. Williams carries a Week 8 projection of approximately 16.1 fantasy points, placing him around QB16 rather than among the top 12 starters. I’m sitting Williams in standard one-quarterback leagues because his reduced rushing involvement and difficult matchup create too much risk, although his recent passing production makes this a closer decision than the matchup numbers alone suggest.
Kyler Murray, QB (MIN)
Kyler Murray has struggled to establish consistent fantasy production since joining Minnesota, despite showing encouraging signs of increased rushing involvement over his last two appearances. Murray has averaged approximately 7.5 rushing attempts and 45 rushing yards during that stretch, giving him a valuable source of production that was largely missing earlier in the season. However, his passing efficiency remains a significant concern, ranking 23rd in yards per attempt, 31st in passing success rate and last in highly accurate throw rate among qualifying quarterbacks. Minnesota’s offense has recorded a successful play on just 41% of its snaps, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL, while Murray ranks 30th among 39 quarterbacks in passing yards. He’s also finished below 11.8 fantasy points in three of his five appearances, demonstrating that his rushing ability hasn’t consistently compensated for the passing game’s struggles. Murray has yet to deliver a truly strong fantasy performance with Minnesota, making it difficult to trust him despite his recent improvement as a runner.
Detroit has allowed an NFL-high 25.6 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, with every quarterback it has faced scoring at least 20.9 points. The Lions have also surrendered the fifth-highest passing touchdown rate and third-highest passing success rate over their last five games, making this an appealing matchup on paper. However, Detroit’s secondary is getting healthier after Brian Branch returned from a torn Achilles in Week 7 and immediately recorded an interception against Green Bay. All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph also returned to practice this week after a lengthy knee injury, although his availability for Sunday remains uncertain. Branch’s return strengthens a secondary that has struggled to limit opposing quarterbacks, while Detroit’s fourth-ranked pressure rate over its last five games creates additional concerns for Minnesota’s inefficient passing attack. Murray’s Week 8 projection of 14.8 fantasy points ranks QB22, and I’m prioritizing his inconsistent production over the favorable matchup. This remains an aggressive sit given Detroit’s defensive struggles, but I’d bench Murray in standard one-quarterback leagues if a more dependable alternative is available, although his rushing upside keeps him in consideration for superflex formats.
Patrick Mahomes, QB (KC)
Patrick Mahomes continues sliding in my weekly quarterback rankings as Kansas City’s passing attack struggles to generate consistent fantasy production. Mahomes opened the season with at least 21 fantasy points in three of his first four games, but his production has declined considerably over the last two weeks. He finished with just 10.48 fantasy points against the Chargers in Week 6 before completing 19 of 33 passes for 165 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception against Seattle in Week 7. Mahomes has now thrown zero touchdowns and two interceptions over his last two games, combining for just 16.48 fantasy points during that stretch. Kansas City’s offense has also converted only 45% of its red-zone trips into touchdowns, the eighth-lowest rate in the NFL, limiting Mahomes’ opportunities to generate meaningful fantasy production. Rashee Rice’s hamstring injury creates another concern, although his limited practice participation provides some hope that he’ll be available Sunday.
Denver has allowed just 15.2 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the tenth-fewest in the NFL, while surrendering only eight passing touchdowns and recording seven interceptions through seven games. The Broncos have also allowed successful plays on just 44% of opposing offensive snaps, the third-lowest rate in football, making this a difficult matchup for an offense already struggling to sustain drives. Kansas City enters Sunday’s matchup with an implied team total of approximately 21 points in a game featuring a 40.5-point total, the lowest among this week’s quarterback matchups. Mahomes has also struggled in recent trips to Denver, combining for approximately 517 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions across his last two road appearances. Rice’s potential return would provide some additional upside, but Kansas City’s recent offensive inefficiency and Denver’s defensive strengths create substantial risk. Mahomes carries a Week 8 projection of approximately 15.6 fantasy points, ranking QB19, and I’m sitting him in standard one-quarterback leagues in favor of quarterbacks with more favorable matchups and dependable passing productionchup, particularly C.J. Stroud against the Giants.
