Broncos@Texans
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 8th at 1 PM EST
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Betting Odds: HOU -7.5, via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Kenny Stills
Denver Broncos
Quarterback:
- Drew Lock (Sit)
It was a fair career debut for Drew Lock last week against the Chargers; 18-of-28 for 134 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He could have even had a third if DaeSean Hamilton didn’t drop the pass. Either way, Lock does look serviceable (right now) for Denver, but that’s only in real life. He possesses no fantasy value this season.
Running Backs:
- Phillip Lindsay (Start, FLEX with RB2 upside)
- Royce Freeman (Sit)
Dating back to last season, the Broncos backfield posed quite a headache for fantasy owners. One week it was expected to be the Royce Freeman show, and then all eyes turned over to Phillip Lindsay. In 2019, it’s been a bit of the same, though entering the year expectations were way higher for Lindsay. He’s produced, but not nearly to the level we anticipated. That being said, I would still feel comfortable starting Lindsay this week in my flex, with a potential RB2 return. The Texans have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Freeman has not been any bit a factor since Week 8, making him unstartable.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Courtland Sutton (Start, WR2)
- DaeSean Hamilton (Sit)
- Noah Fant (Start, TE2)
The Lock to Courtland Sutton connection started strong last week. Sutton was able to reel in four of five targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns. His first score was a circus one-handed grab, and the second was thanks to a nice strike from Lock. As the clear WR1 in Denver, here’s to hoping the rapport remains hot against Houston. DaeSean Hamilton remains to have no fantasy relevance.
As is the common narrative, you can do worse at the tight end position than certain names. Noah Fant is one of the TE’s to consider starting, though don’t expect much of him. He’s had back to back down weeks, however, I imagine Lock will continue to target him some alongside Sutton.
Houston Texans
Quarterback:
- Deshaun Watson (Start, QB1)
Primetime against New England was no problem for Deshaun Watson, who had three passing touchdowns and one receiving (thank you Nuk) on the night. He was 18-of-25 for 234 yards, and this was against a tough Patriots defense. Denver is a tough threat as well, having given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, but I have no worries starting Watson to kickoff the fantasy playoffs.
Running Backs:
- Carlos Hyde (Sit)
- Duke Johnson (Sit)
Week 13 was a really quiet game for Carlos Hyde, who only had 10 carries for 17 yards, and caught one pass for five yards. His fantasy downfall was not being featured in the red zone. Hyde hasn’t topped 70 yards on the ground since Week 9 (160 yards at Jacksonville), and I truthfully wouldn’t trust starting him this week. The same can be said for Duke Johnson, despite his productive game against the Patriots. His PPR potential is inviting, but he’s not a major feature in this offseason where you consider having him in your lineup the first round of playoffs. Denver has given up the 15th fewest fantasy points to running backs on the season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
- DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR1)
- Will Fuller V (Start, WR3/FLEX)
- Kenny Stills (Sit)
- Darren Fells (Start, touchdown-dependent TE2)
If it wasn’t for his touchdown PASS on a trick play, DeAndre Hopkins would have had a quiet night against the Patriots, all things considered. He caught five of eight targets for 64 yards. The Broncos defense is tough against wide receivers this season, having only given up the sixth-fewest on the season. However, Hopkins should be considered a locked-in WR1, as he hasn’t caught less than five passes in any game on the year. Will Fuller V on the other hand, only saw two targets against New England. You can continue to start him on big-play potential, but you’ll have to temper production expectations. Despite scoring last week, I would avoid starting Kenny Stills this week if you can. He’s not nearly as productive as you might have expected him to be upon being traded for, even with Fuller out at the time.
Darren Fells has found the end zone seven times this season, a career-high. His target count is awfully low, making it hard to trust him every week. Still, in a pass-friendly offense, he’s liable to score against a Broncos team who have given up the 16th most fantasy points to the tight end. I would consider him a touchdown-dependent TE2 in this one.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)