Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 5th, 1:00 PM ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Betting Odds: HOU +8.5, 46. Total on Vegas Insider
Network: CBS
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Carson Wentz (Sit, QB2)
I have to give credit where credit is due: Carson Wentz played a great game against Tom Brady and a strong Bucs defense on Sunday. With 24.3 fantasy points and 306 passing yards, Wentz aired the ball out against Tampa Bay, which makes sense given how strong their defensive front is. However, with a likely leading game script, I’m skeptical of the amount of passing volume that will be here. If you’re starting Wentz, it is purely for the touchdown potential.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start, “THE” RB1), Nyheim Hines (Sit, RB4)
Jonathan Taylor against the Texans? Sign me up! How many touchdowns are going to be scored this week?
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Michael Pittman Jr. (Start, Low-End WR2), TY Hilton (Sit, WR5), Zach Pascal (Sit, WR6), Jack Doyle (Sit, Low-End TE2), Mo Alie-Cox (Sit, TE3)
The only player in the Colts’ passing game that can be started on a weekly basis is Michael Pittman Jr., and that is especially true this week; we anticipate limited passing volume. Even then, Pittman has finished outside the top-30 in three straight weeks, but he still provides the touchdown upside and big-play ability, even if it’s more as a high-end WR3 than a locked-in WR2. All of these players saw strong underlying numbers in terms of targets against the Bucs, but I don’t see Wentz throwing the ball 44 times again. Thus, consider this a downgrade of a matchup in terms of fantasy success.
Houston Texans
Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor (Sit, QB2)
I thought Tyrod Taylor was a decent streaming option against a poor Jets defense last week, and he ended up with 16.3 fantasy points. He’s served as a high-end QB2 in back-to-back weeks, though he’s relied on touchdowns to get there. We’ll likely see more pass attempts from him if they’re trailing, but just two rush attempts from last week aren’t going to cut it in terms of fantasy viability. Hence, why Taylor is a low-upside QB2 heading into this matchup.
Running Backs
David Johnson (Sit, Low-End RB3), Rex Burkhead (Sit, Low-End RB3)
Interestingly, Rex Burkhead had more snaps and routes run than David Johnson and is already the trusted short-yardage back. This is something to monitor moving forward for their fantasy value. Then again, this is also the Texans offense, so perhaps it doesn’t matter anyway. Still, something to keep an eye on in this game. Please don’t start either of these running backs unless you have to.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandin Cooks (Start, Low-End WR2), Nico Collins (Sit, WR6), Danny Amendola (Sit), Brevin Jordan (Sit, Low-End TE3), Pharaoh Brown (Sit)
Similar to the Colts, there is only one pass-catcher to talk about here. That would be Brandin Cooks, who is no longer seeing the consistent double-digit target volume he was seeing at the beginning of the year. With an average depth of target of 12.3 yards, he’ll always have big-play upside on his side and is the clear top receiver here. That being said, it may be time to downgrade his status slightly, which is a shame after the elite production we saw to start this season.
All Stats via Pro Football Focus