Mahomes
QB · KC @ DEN
Kickoff Sun 4:25 PM ET
Projected points15.8pts
Penix
QB · ATL @ TB
Kickoff Sun 1:00 PM ET
Projected points15.1pts
Toss-up
Bench
Michael Penix Jr. or Patrick Mahomes: Who Should I Start in Week 8?
Toss-up. Patrick Mahomes gets the nod over Michael Penix Jr.
- Ahead by
- +0.7pts
- over Penix
- Confidence
- Lower
- Toss-up
- Started
- 59%
- of leagues
Case for Penix
The case for Penix is a lighter pass rush to face (pressure on 17% of throws to 23%) and a faster paced opponent.
Flips if
Start Michael Penix Jr. instead if you want a lighter pass rush to face (pressure on 17% of throws to 23%).
Risk
Weather in Michael Penix Jr.'s game: Outdoor · 73F, 10 mph wind, 100% rain. Check it again before kickoff.
Highlights
MahomesToss-upQB · KC @ DENUsually 16.7−0.8pts this week
Helps him
- OutEllissEdgeHe faces a Broncos defense without linebacker Jonah Elliss.
Hurts him
- −0.9ptspass yardsHis lines put him at 223.5 passing yards, below his usual 245.7.
- 4th toughestper passEdgeDEN allows plenty of QB chances because teams throw a lot against them; per pass they’re tough (0.40 pts, 4th toughest).
- 23%pressureEdgeThe DEN pass rush gets pressure on 23% of dropbacks.
PenixFirst outQB · ATL @ TBUsually 16.9−1.9pts this week
Helps him
- +0.5ptsrush TDsHis lines put him at 0.08 rushing TDs, above his usual 0.00.
Hurts him
- −1.2ptspass TDsHis lines put him at 1.50 passing TDs, below his usual 1.80.
- TBvs QBsEdgeTB is the 5th toughest defense for quarterbacks.
- 11.9floorA quiet week could drop to about 11.9 points.
Points are what each line adds to or takes off his usual week. EdgeFrom the game around him.
Stat comparison
Every player you picked, stat by stat, most important first.
Stat
Scoring
ProjectionMahomes: 15.8 (best)Penix: 15.1
Rush TD pointsof the projectionMahomes: 0.9 (best)Penix: 0.5
Rush TDs expectedthis weekMahomes: 0.15 (best)Penix: 0.08
Projected team pointsMahomes: 20.8 (best)Penix: 20.5
Goal line carriesper gameMahomes: 0.0Penix: 0.0
Red zone carriesper gameMahomes: 0.3 (best)Penix: 0.2
Pass attempts / gameMahomes: 31.8 (best)Penix: 28.8
Role
Snap shareMahomes: 100% (best)Penix: 99%
Touch shareMahomes: 7% (best)Penix: 5%
Touches / gameMahomes: 3.2 (best)Penix: 2.4
Yards per attemptMahomes: 7.7Penix: 8.0 (best)
Pass TD rateMahomes: 5%Penix: 6% (best)
Rush yards / gameMahomes: 11.8 (best)Penix: 0.8
Points from rushingMahomes: 13%Penix: 0.5%
Rushing points / gameMahomes: 2.2 pts / game (best)Penix: 0.1 pts / game
Rushing floorMahomes: 1.7 pts / game (best)Penix: 0.1 pts / game
Designed runs / gameMahomes: 0.2Penix: 0.2
Scrambles / gameMahomes: 2.0 (best)Penix: 0.8
Dropbacks / gameMahomes: 35.2 (best)Penix: 31.8
Designed runs inside the 10 / gameMahomes: 0.0Penix: 0.0
Sacks per dropbackMahomes: 3% (best)Penix: 6%
INT rateMahomes: 2.1%Penix: 0.7% (best)
Pass aDOTMahomes: 6.0Penix: 7.1
High value touches / gameMahomes: 0.2 (best)Penix: 0.0
Goal line carry shareMahomes: 0%Penix: 0%
Red zone touches / gameMahomes: 0.3 (best)Penix: 0.2
Rush success rateMahomes: 54% (best)Penix: 0%
Breakaway rate (20+ yd runs)Mahomes: 0%Penix: 0%
Range
FloorMahomes: 11.6Penix: 11.9 (best)
CeilingMahomes: 23.8 (best)Penix: 21.6
Points from TDssteadier when lowerMahomes: 6%Penix: 0%
Big weeks (25+ pts)Mahomes: 26% (best)Penix: 0%
Dud weeks (under 12 pts)lower is betterMahomes: 28%Penix: 20% (best)
SteadinessMahomes: Very steady±8.4 ptsPenix: Very steady (best)±6.3 pts
Matchup
Matchup gradevs his position · 2026, 7 gmMahomes: C- (best)Penix: D+
Game scriptMahomes: Expected to lead (best)Penix: Expected to trail
Opp takeaways / gamelower is betterMahomes: 1.4 (best)Penix: 1.7
Defense funnelMahomes: NeutralPenix: Neutral
Opp pass yds allowedMahomes: 17th (average) (best)Penix: 14th (average)
Opp sacks / gameMahomes: 3.0Penix: 2.3 (best)
Opp defender outMahomes: Elliss (LB)Penix: None listed
WeatherMahomes: No concernPenix: Outdoor73F, 10 mph wind, 100% rain
Roof / surfacegrassMahomes: OpenPenix: Open
Rest / scheduleMahomes: NormalPenix: Normal
Opp paceMahomes: 30th (slow)Penix: 14th (average) (best)
Opp pressure rateMahomes: 23%8th (tough)Penix: 17% (best)30th (soft)
Pressure facedMahomes: 24%Penix: 13% (best)
Opp rush yds allowedMahomes: 28th (soft) (best)Penix: 2nd (tough)
Opp stuff rateMahomes: 18% (best)14th (average)Penix: 19%9th (tough)
Opp yards per carry allowedMahomes: 4.7 (best)24th (soft)Penix: 3.96th (tough)
Opp deep targets allowed / gameMahomes: 3.7 (best)15th (average)Penix: 3.010th (tough)
Opp catch rate allowedMahomes: 62%3rd (tough)Penix: 68% (best)19th (average)
Form
Last 3 avgMahomes: 11.2Penix: 19.3 (best)
Last 5 avgMahomes: 15.7Penix: 16.9 (best)
vs seasonMahomes: −5.5 (Cooling)Penix: +2.4 (Rising) (best)
Yards per carryMahomes: 3.7 (best)Penix: 0.3
Carries / gameMahomes: 3.2 (best)Penix: 2.4
Pass volume trendMahomes: SteadyPenix: Steady
Crowd
Started in leaguesMahomes: 59% (best)Penix: 38%
Nuvela position ranklower is betterMahomes: QB15 (best)Penix: QB19
Yards linepassingMahomes: 223.5Penix: 227.5 (best)
Deciding on someone else?
Choose 2 to 5 players for any week.