Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Network: CBS
Houston Texans
Quarterback
CJ Stroud: Start, QB1
Stroud leads the pure passer quarterback rankings this week, beating out Patrick Mahomes and landing as my QB5. Stroud doesn’t have a floor buoyed by rushing, but he is just that good of a passer. In Week 1, he plays a Colts defense that ranked in the bottom half of the league against Quarterbacks last season. He adds Stefon Diggs to an already potent pass-catching core and should remain a top option for the foreseeable future.
Running Back
Joe Mixon: Start, RB2
Mixon looks to be fully healthy heading into Week 1. The options behind him have been lackluster at best, making him the clear-cut starter for the Texans. With a healthy offensive line, we should see a healthy dose of Mixon. He has been notoriously inefficient in his career, but improved blocking could be a big win for the veteran against the Colts. Both Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers are off the radar as Handcuff options only.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins: Start, WR2
Stefon Diggs: Start, WR3/FLEX
Tank Dell: Start, WR3/FLEX
The Texans’ pass catchers will be one of the most interesting situations to monitor all season, and in Week 1, we will get our first real look at how targets will shake out. Collins should remain Stroud’s top option and function as the primary X receiver, as well as being the top option in the red zone. Diggs and Dell may spend most of the season eating into each other’s volume, but I would not be surprised at all to see Diggs be the number two target early in the season as Dell continues to get back to full strength. Being able to roll Diggs out in your WR3 or FLEX spot is a big win in full PPR formats where Diggs can stack up receptions in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Dell may not always see the volume, but he is the only player on this offense who can turn any single touch into six points. Similar to Diggs, I am happy to have him fill out the WR3 or FLEX spot on my roster.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz: Sit, TE2
As the Texans’ top TE, Schultz lost some of his safe floor with the addition of Diggs, but he can still be a 0.5 version of Jake Ferguson in this offense. Bye Weeks will make Schultz valuable, but for Week 1, you can leave him on waivers.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: Start, QB1
Richardson can break fantasy in any matchup he finds himself in. He has a rare skill set at the position. The Texans’ defense has improved markedly over the last two seasons, though, so while Richardson should be able to rack up points on the ground, I do expect a turnover in this game for the young signal-caller. Still, he lands one spot ahead of CJ Stroud in my rankings this week because, in fantasy football, rushing is king.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: Start, RB1
Taylor is my RB2 overall this week. Fully healthy and getting the chance to play meaningful snaps with Richardson should do wonders for Taylor. The Colts are bringing their Thunder and Thunder rushing offense to the Texans, and even with its improvements, I don’t see them slowing Taylor down much. In his last two healthy games against Houston, Taylor has combined for 371 total yards and two touchdowns. Fire him up and feast in Week 1.
Wide Receiver
Michael Pittman: Start, WR1
Adonai Mitchell: Start, FLEX
Pittman may not be a clear-cut WR1 all season, but in Week 1, it is looking more and more like Josh Downs will not be available, leaving Pittman, Mitchell, and Alec Pierce to lead the pass catchers for Indianapolis. Pittman, the most experienced of the group, has shown the ability to win against the Texans in the past, and he should lead the team in targets. Next up in the pecking order is one of my favorite rookies this year: Adonai Mitchell. With Josh Downs missing, Mitchell could be used in several ways, both outside and in the slot for the Colts. As a freak athlete with strong route running, I would not be surprised to see Mitchell bring FLEX appeal as long as Downs is sidelined.
Tight End
NONE
Meanwhile, the Colts’ tight ends are a bit of a mess. With no single option to lead the way, it’s best to avoid them this week.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.