Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 28th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Betting Odds: NYJ +3, 44 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
New York Jets
Quarterback
Zach Wilson (Sit)
Finally, this is the week we’ll see Zach Wilson back under center. HC Robert Saleh has voiced that Wilson got clearance on Monday to return, and this has nothing to do with the fact that both Mike White and Joe Flacco have been ruled out due to close contact COVID matter; White tested positive, and Flacco is unvaccinated. Jets fans are no doubt thrilled to have Wilson back, but for fantasy purposes, he can be left on your league’s wire.
Running Backs
Ty Johnson (Start if you must, FLEX), Tevin Coleman (Start if you must, FLEX)
Stud rookie RB Michael Carter is set to miss 2-3 weeks with a low-grade high ankle sprain, and it is certainly disappointing news for the IRL crowd, and fantasy players who have been reliant on his productivity since Week 5 and thereafter. The next men up for the Jets will be Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman. One would expect Johnson to be the better option for fantasy purposes, especially in PPR formats. Brace for Coleman to have the early-down work, and for Johnson to spell him on third downs and in passing scenarios. With trade deadlines passed or upcoming, and waiver wires thin, it’s hard to find RB help this late in the fantasy season. Either RB could provide some relief if you’re desperate, but just don’t brace for league-winning productivity by any means.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Elijah Moore (Start, WR3), Corey Davis (Start if you must, FLEX), Jamison Crowder (Start if you must, FLEX), Ryan Griffin (Sit)
Is Elijah Moore QB-proof? He’s produced with the likes of Mike White, Josh Johnson, and most recently last week with Joe Flacco. Moore exploded against the Dolphins, hauling in eight of 11 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown. It took a few weeks, but the rookie has emerged as the Jets WR1, pushing Corey Davis to the side some. The obvious hope is for Wilson and Moore to build a strong rapport the rest of the way, which will bode well for a 2022 foundation and beyond. Jamison Crowder had a nice game against Miami, catching six of seven targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. He’s a reliable target, and you could do worse than him in the FLEX. As far as Davis goes, it’s been a fairly disappointing season for the free-agent acquisition, and with Moore shining really since Week 7, I would consider Davis a FLEX at best/if you must. Davis actually is a beneficiary with Wilson is under center, but would remain on the FLEX trajectory until he proves otherwise.
Tight end Ryan Griffin remains firmly on your league’s wire.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor (Sit)
Tyrod Taylor didn’t need his arm to upset the Titans in Week 11, as he scored two touchdowns on the ground. He completed 14 of 24 attempts for just 107 yards, and turned six carries into 28 yards. Taylor actually hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since returning in Week 9, but could certainly against the Jets this week. That said, with only Patrick Mahomes and Colt McCoy/Kyler Murray on their BYE, Taylor can be left on the wire.
Running Backs
David Johnson (Start if you must, FLEX), Rex Burkhead (Sit)
Despite getting the Jets this week, this Texans backfield has not offered any fantasy relevancy this season. Against the Texans, Rex Burkhead somehow led the way with 18 carries, turning them into just 40 yards. David Johnson was next, taking 13 carries and gaining an astonishing 18 yards. And then there was Phillip Lindsay, who had just one carry go for -3 yards. And with that, news broke on Tuesday that Lindsay was released. We deserve a future tell-all one day as to why Houston thought it was a good idea to roster all of these running backs; especially when they had Mark Ingram to start the season as well. If there is any back worth starting from Houston, I suppose it’s Johnson, but my guess is you can field better options than either him or Burkhead this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Brandin Cooks (Start, WR3), Chris Conley (Sit), Jordan Akins (Sit), Pharaoh Brown (Sit)
The only fantasy-relevant Texans player this season has been Brandin Cooks, frankly because he’s been the only WR worth throwing the ball. Week 11 though, against a Titans defense that had allowed the most fantasy points to the position on the season, was not good to Cooks. He was only targeted three times, catching two passes for 18 yards. If you still find yourself needing to start him, he could post a better box score against the Jets. Tight ends Jordan Akins and Pharaoh Brown are not streaming candidates.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)