Deshaun Watson · J.J. McCarthy · 2026 week 8

Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy?

Wondering who you should start this week — Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start J.J. McCarthyJ.J. McCarthy projects 2.3 PPR points clear of Deshaun Watson in week 8, drawing PHI — the 9th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 8	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Deshaun Watson	@ PIT	13.9	29th · tough	13.6	89	healthy
J.J. McCarthy START	@ PHI	16.2	9th	9.2	192	healthy

QBs vs PIT recently: Daniel Jones 11.1 pts (W5) · Jalon Daniels 12.2 pts (W6) · Tyler Shough 14.8 pts (W7).

QBs vs PHI recently: Trevor Lawrence 22.7 pts (W5) · Bryce Young 19.8 pts (W6) · Dak Prescott 23.3 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

J.J. McCarthy projects 2.3 points higher in PPR.
Deshaun Watson faces PIT, 29th most generous to QBs.
J.J. McCarthy faces PHI, 9th most generous to QBs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

J.J. McCarthy carries the higher trade value — 192 against 89 (a 54% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving J.J. McCarthy gets the most. Momentum: Deshaun Watson -21 and J.J. McCarthy +192 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

Deshaun Watson or Geno Smith?Deshaun Watson or Malik Willis?Deshaun Watson or Tanner McKee?J.J. McCarthy or Jacoby Brissett?J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr.?J.J. McCarthy or Aaron Rodgers?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.