Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, November 18th, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Network: ESPN/ABC
Houston Texans
Quarterback
CJ Stroud: Start, QB1
Despite his fantasy struggles in his sophomore season, CJ Stroud remains a back-end QB1 for us this week for two reasons. First, he gets a date with the Dallas Cowboys, who allow the fifth-most points to QBs. The Cowboys have looked truly terrible for several weeks, and this matchup is a great chance for Stroud to post some strong numbers. Second, it appears likely that Stroud gets his top weapon back in Nico Collins. This is great news for Houston after a heartbreaking loss against Detroit. Collins’ return should elevate the upside of all players on the Texans’ offense, including Stroud. It’s been a rough ride from a fantasy perspective this season, but this week looks like a good get-right spot for the young star.
Running Back
Joe Mixon: Start, RB1
Joe Mixon was incredibly inefficient on the ground against the Lions last week but managed to salvage his day thanks to some big receptions and a goal line score. He remains one of the most reliable fantasy options at the position thanks to his massive workload in a dynamic offense. The Cowboys surprisingly stifled Saquon Barkley last week (getting Micah Parsons back certainly helps), but Mixon is still a no-doubt RB1 in Week 11. Every other Texans RB is a no-doubt sit.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins: Start, WR1
Tank Dell: FLEX Option, WR3
John Metchie III: Sit
The impact of Nico Collins returning to this offense cannot be understated, especially with Stefon Diggs out for the season. Head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that Collins was very close to suiting up against the Lions last Sunday but they opted to hold him out for one more week. This makes it likely that we’ll see Collins return to action against a terrible Cowboys defense. He’ll be a WR1 immediately upon his return, but monitor those practice reports just in case. Collins’ return also makes Tank Dell a solid FLEX option this week. Dell is a talented receiver but appears to perform better as a supporting option rather than a true WR1. Having Collins back should take some pressure off of Dell and allow him to shine in this role. Finally, while it was great to see John Metchie III get his first career touchdown last week, we aren’t ready to declare him as a FLEX-viable option yet.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz: Sit
Dalton Schultz is a low-end streaming option with Collins returning to the offense. You should look elsewhere if you need to stream TE this week.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Cooper Rush/Trey Lance: Sit
Never in a million years.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: FLEX Option, RB3
Ezekiel Elliott: Sit
I don’t like the idea of starting Rico Dowdle against a stout Texans front seven this week, but at the very least, you know he should handle the majority of touches in this offense. That gives him low-end FLEX appeal, but if this game gets out of hand fast, that value could quickly go out the curtainless windows of Jerry World. I’d start another option if you can help in. And please, whatever you do, do not start Ezekiel Elliott.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb: Start, WR2
Jalen Tolbert: Sit
The good news for CeeDee Lamb is that his arch nemesis, the sun, will not be present in a Monday Night Football game to prevent him from scoring a touchdown. The bad news is that he’ll be catching passes from some combination of Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. This downgrade tanks Lamb’s value, as he turned 10 targets into only 21 scoreless yards last week. He remains a WR2 based on talent alone, but we may need to adjust expectations once again after this week. Jalen Tolbert and all other Cowboys receivers can be safely benched.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson: Sit, TE2
I also don’t feel very confident in Jake Ferguson‘s fantasy prospects in this “new-look” offense. I’d sooner start a streaming option like Jonnu Smith or Mike Gesicki this week.