Week 8 Fantasy Football QB Rankings

Peppers & Picks ranks Josh Allen (BUF QB), our QB1 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs BAL, projecting 14.7 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-three QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. He's still in 56% of lineups at 100% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. The projection sits about 14% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jayden Daniels (WSH QB), our QB2 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs PHI, projecting 13.9 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-three QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. He's still in 44% of lineups at 93% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Nothing in the projection defends him — 18% below positional par is a bench line for me. Mild on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Joe Burrow (CIN QB), our QB3 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs TEN, projecting 13.4 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-three QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. TEN is the opponent, and that's the part of this I'm least worried about. He's still in 78% of lineups at 98% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Mild heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Trevor Lawrence (JAX QB), our QB4 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs IND, projecting 13.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-six QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. 38% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Nothing in the projection defends him — 22% below positional par is a bench line for me. Mild on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Drake Maye (NE QB), our QB5 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at MIA, projecting 13.0 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-six QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. He's still in 89% of lineups at 99% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. He grades 24% below the average weekly QB number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. Mild on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jared Goff (DET QB), our QB6 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs MIN, projecting 12.0 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-six QB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. The vs MIN draw matters here — home snaps against MIN shape how often he's asked to do something. He's still in 45% of lineups at 91% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Mild heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Lamar Jackson (BAL QB), our QB7 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at BUF, projecting 11.8 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 5.2 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 31% below positional par is a bench line for me. He's listed questionable as of the update below; my rank assumes he plays, and designations move fast. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Mild here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Bryce Young (CAR QB), our QB8 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at GB, projecting 11.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 5.7 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. 11.3 points is roughly 34% short of the QB baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Facing GB away from home, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Mild here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Caleb Williams (CHI QB), our QB9 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at SEA, projecting 10.8 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 6.2 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. He's still in 44% of lineups at 90% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. The projection sits about 36% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Patrick Mahomes (KC QB), our QB10 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at DEN, projecting 10.7 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 6.3 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. He's still in 40% of lineups at 91% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. The projection sits about 37% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Kyler Murray (MIN QB), our QB11 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at DET, projecting 10.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 6.5 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. 28% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Nothing in the projection defends him — 38% below positional par is a bench line for me. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Malik Willis (MIA QB), our QB12 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs NE, projecting 10.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 6.5 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. At home against NE, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. 2% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Dak Prescott (DAL QB), our QB13 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs ARI, projecting 10.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 6.7 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Facing ARI in front of his own crowd, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. He's still in 64% of lineups at 91% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jordan Love (GB QB), our QB14 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs CAR, projecting 10.1 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 6.9 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. The projection sits about 41% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. At home against CAR, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Michael Penix Jr. (ATL QB), our QB15 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at TB, projecting 9.9 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 7.1 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. On the road against TB, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. Roster share is moving +2.5% week over week, so the rest of the country is catching up. 7% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Matthew Stafford (LAR QB), our QB16 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs LAC, projecting 9.6 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 7.4 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 44% below positional par is a bench line for me. The vs LAC draw matters here — home snaps against LAC shape how often he's asked to do something. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Bo Nix (DEN QB), our QB17 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs KC, projecting 9.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 7.7 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. The vs KC draw matters here — home snaps against KC shape how often he's asked to do something. 21% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Aaron Rodgers (PIT QB), our QB18 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs CLE, projecting 9.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 7.7 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. The projection sits about 45% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. At home against CLE, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Deshaun Watson (CLE QB), our QB19 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at PIT, projecting 9.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 7.7 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. PIT is the opponent, and that's the part of this I'm least worried about. 5% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Geno Smith (NYJ QB), our QB20 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs LV, projecting 9.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 7.8 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. The projection sits about 46% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. At home against LV, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Baker Mayfield (TB QB), our QB21 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs ATL, projecting 9.1 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 7.9 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 46% below positional par is a bench line for me. The vs ATL draw matters here — home snaps against ATL shape how often he's asked to do something. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jacoby Brissett (ARI QB), our QB22 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at DAL, projecting 8.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 8.5 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. The projection sits about 50% under what a startable QB returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. On the road against DAL, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Sam Darnold (SEA QB), our QB23 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season vs CHI, projecting 8.4 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 8.6 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 51% below positional par is a bench line for me. The vs CHI draw matters here — home snaps against CHI shape how often he's asked to do something. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Justin Herbert (LAC QB), our QB24 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at LAR, projecting 8.1 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 8.9 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. 7% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. He grades 52% below the average weekly QB number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Daniel Jones (IND QB), our QB25 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at JAX, projecting 7.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 9.8 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. 3% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. 7.2 points is roughly 58% short of the QB baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Tanner McKee (PHI QB), our QB26 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at WSH, projecting 7.0 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 10 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. 7 points is roughly 59% short of the QB baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Facing WSH away from home, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Cam Ward (TEN QB), our QB27 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at CIN, projecting 7.0 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally's honest about it: 10 points under the starter line isn't the ceiling she chases. 1% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. He grades 59% below the average weekly QB number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Fernando Mendoza (LV QB), our QB28 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at NYJ, projecting 6.8 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 10.2 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 60% below positional par is a bench line for me. The at NYJ draw matters here — road snaps against NYJ shape how often he's asked to do something. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Kirk Cousins (LV QB), our QB29 this week for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season at NYJ, projecting 2.7 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Sally wants fireworks, and 14.3 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. 2.7 points is roughly 84% short of the QB baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Facing NYJ away from home, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Oct 28, 7:59 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.