Titans at Texans
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29th at 4:25 pm ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Betting Odds: TEN -3, 45 Total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Keke Coutee
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback:
- Ryan Tannehill (Start/QB1)
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill continued his fantasy hot streak last week with his second three-touchdown game in three weeks. The good news for fantasy owners is the Titans are still alive for the last playoff spot in the AFC and will do everything they can to win the game in Week 17. The Texans are 27th in fantasy points allowed to the position and they are battling injuries at linebacker. This should be another excellent Tannehill performance, in all formats.
Running Backs:
- Derrick Henry (Start/RB2)
- Dion Lewis (Sit)
The big question heading into this matchup is the health and availability of Derrick Henry. Henry was held out of last week’s game, in what seemed like a move to allow the big back to get healthy for this critical Week 17 matchup. Expect Henry to go, but be ready for the last-minute decision on him. If he does play, Henry should have little trouble gaining yards on this defense but he may have a tougher time getting into the endzone. The Texans are not strong against the run but the middle of the road. They have only allowed two back so top 100-yards rushing. But they have only allowed two rushing touchdowns since Week 12 and will do all they can to keep Henry out of the endzone. He is a risky play but nearly all owners will need to risk it this late in the year.
Dion Lewis filled in nicely last week but with Henry expected back, Lewis goes back to his part-time passing game role, with limited opportunity. Owners would do well to stash Lewis on the bench should Henry be a late scratch, but if Henry plays then you cannot start Lewis in this critical matchup.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:
- A.J. Brown (Start/WR2)
- Corey Davis (Sit)
- Jonnu Smith (Start/TE1)
Late season darling A.J. Brown was shut down last week by the strong New Orleans secondary but he gets another chance to play the Texans, who he dominated in Week 15. Brown is a must-start this week for owners, as the Titans need to win to advance to the playoffs. He’s a WR2 this week with league-winning upside.
With everything on the line for fantasy owners in Week 17, receiver Corey Davis cannot be trusted in your lineup. Davis is completing another disappointing season and it would be a surprise for the Titans to extend him in the off-season. Davis shows flashes of immense talent but he has yet to put it all together.
With three straight TE1 weeks, Jonnu Smith has been quite a surprise late in the fantasy season. Tannehill seems to like what he sees in the athletic tight end. Smith has been inconsistent with his targets but he has made the most of his opportunity. The Texans have been awful defending the position in recent weeks, allowing at l; east 60 yards in five of six weeks. Add to that recent injury to key linebackers, this looks like an excellent matchup for Smith.
Houston Texans
Quarterback:
- DeShaun Watson (Start/QB2)
The Texans are currently the No. 4 seed, with the potential to get as high as No. 3. However, they have already locked up a home playoff game because they won their division. They cannot earn a playoff bye, in any scenario. All this to say that the Texans don’t have much to play for. Sure they will want to beat a division opponent to keep them out of the playoffs but I would be surprised if DeShaun Watson plays into the second half. Still, Watson can do plenty of damage in just two quarters and warrants a start in 2QB or SuperFlex leagues but owners can look elsewhere in traditional leagues.
Running Backs:
- Carlos Hyde (Sit)
- Duke Johnson (Start/Flex)
At the end of the season, for teams that are likely to rest players heading into the playoffs, the running back position is tough to predict. On one hand, the matchup is juicy for the Texans, Tennessee has allowed seven touchdowns on the ground since Week 12, with no less than 80 yards per game. On the other hand, the Texans likely rest Carlos Hyde. That could mean an increased opportunity for Duke Johnson, who has been just the passing game back all season. Just one half of play will not be enough for Hyde to get it done but those owners desperate for a back can look Johnson’s way.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:
- DeAndre Hopkins (Start/WR2)
- Kenny Stills (Sit)
- Keke Coutee (Sit)
- Darren Fells (Sit)
The Texans receiver corps is battling injuries late in the season. Will Fuller has already been ruled out and DeAndre Hopkins and Kenny Stills were both limited on Wednesday’s practice report. The Stills injury looks to be more serious and he is in danger of missing this Week 17 matchup. The team will likely hold him out for one week to get ready for the playoffs. Hopkins, however, is a solid matchup this week against a team that allowed nearly 400 yards to receivers in two weeks, plus three scores. Hopkins should be able to get it down for fantasy owners even with limited playtime.
With so many injuries, a dark horse sleeper is Keke Coutee. Coutee has managed some big games in recent years but his inconsistency has landed hi min the Texans doghouse. He will be thrust into playing time this week though and owners needing a desperation play this week could do worse than Coutee.
The Texans will lean on the tight ends to carry the team this week but that still may not be enough for owners to trust. Darren Fells started the season strong but he relies on touchdowns to produce for fantasy owners. It’s not a spot that fantasy owners can count on in championships weeks.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)