Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Network: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett: SIT
Geno Smith: SIT
Whether it’s Geno Smith, Kenny Pickett, or Rich Gannon, you’re not starting any Raiders quarterback against the dominant Texans defense. Even after allowing three touchdowns to Jacoby Brissett, Houston allows the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and has just as many games allowing zero passing touchdowns (five) as multiple touchdowns.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty: START, RB2
Oh, it’s a deep burn having to type this. But Ashton Jeanty is benchable. He’s getting pass-game work, but even with 10 targets over his last two games, he’s averaging just seven points. As the Vegas passing game sputters, teams are focusing on shutting down he run. Up next is Houston, a bottom-10 matchup that’s allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season. His targets keep him startable as a back-end RB2, but he’s no must-start.
Wide Receiver
Dont’e Thornton Jr.: SIT
Tre Tucker: SIT
Tyler Lockett: SIT
Tight End
Brock Bowers: START, TE1
You’re not benching Brock Bowers, but keep your expectations in check. Bowers caught six of eight targets last week, but for a forgettable 28 yards and 8.8 fantasy points. It was his first game under 10 points since Week 10, but he’s gone over 15 points just once in that period. Complaining about a tight end averaging 14.3 fantasy points over a five-game period is a first-world fantasy problem, but the 40-plus-point ceiling you were looking for drafting him in the first two rounds just isn’t there. Before last week’s barrage from Trey McBride, Houston had held all but two tight ends under 50 yards.
Defense/Special Teams
Las Vegas Raiders: SIT
The Raiders have the seventh-fewest sacks and rank in the bottom 10 in turnovers forced.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud: START (In Superflex) Borderline QB1
Things escalated quickly in Houston when C.J. Stroud tossed a 57-yard touchdown to Nico Collins on his first pass attempt of the day against Arizona. It was only the second time this season Stroud threw for three or more touchdowns and the third time over 250 yards. He’s been much more productive since returning from his concussion, making him a solid streamer and a Superflex must-start against the Raiders.
Running Back
Woody Marks: START, RB1 *watch practice reports*
Dare Ogunbowale: SIT
Jawhar Jordan: SIT
Woody Marks suffered an ankle injury in Week 15 and started Week 16 on the wrong foot, missing practice on Wednesday. It’s a toss-up if he’ll be able to play Sunday, but if he can, he’s an RB1 in a top-10 matchup against the Raiders. If he’s unable to suit up, I’m sitting both Dare Ogunbuwale and Jawhar Jordan, even though Jordan stepped in and took 15 carries for 101 yards. While he looked phenomenal, I hesitate to put too much stock in the distribution of touches in the backfield after an in-game injury. We’ve seen time and time again that touches with a full week of practice and a game plan look very different from those that happen abruptly in-game. Jordan didn’t have a single carry coming into the game, and Ogunbowale has had some sporadic involvement. Jordan very well could serve as the lead back, but it’s a situation I’m not willing to gamble on with a trip to the fantasy championship on the line.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins: START, WR1
Jayden Higgins: SIT
Christian Kirk: SIT
Nico Collins caught only three passes, but I don’t think anyone cared since two of them were for touchdowns. The stud receiver is locked in as a WR1 regardless of the matchup. Jayden Higgins caught his lone target, but now has back-to-back games under seven points. Higgins had a productive stretch with over 11 points in three of four games, but it’s hard to trust the rookie with fantasy champions on the line.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz: START, borderline TE1
Dalton Schultz continued his quest for the quietest TE1 season on record, catching eight of nine targets for 76 yards and his second touchdown on the season. Schultz is a borderline TE1 against Vegas, which allows the fourth-fewest points to the position.
Defense/Special Teams
Houston Texans: START, TE1
One of the handful of set-it-and-forget-it fantasy defenses.