Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 8th, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Betting Odds: IND -2.5, 38 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele_ on Twitter)
Houston Texans
Quarterback
Davis Mills (Sit) Jeff Driskel (Sit)
The Houston Texans have no worthy quarterbacks to even roster, let alone start in your lineups. Lately, the Texans have been running a two-quarterback system with Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel rotating at the position, and it’s far from working. For the past four games using this style of offense, Mills has been getting the majority of the work but has scored 10 points or more only once, when he was the QB11 against the Chiefs. Do not let that fool you, because last week he failed to lead his team into the endzone against the Jaguars. The entire Texans offense has been as we expected, disappointing.
Running Backs
Dare Ogunbowale (Sit), Royce Freeman (Sit) Rex Burkhead (Sit)
The Texans backfield has been led by Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunowale. Each running back should be left on your bench in Week 18, as the team has not had a serviceable running back since Dameon Pierce went down in the fourth quarter of Week 14. Freeman has been leading the backfield over the last three weeks but has only been averaging 6.1 fantasy points per game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandin Cooks (Start- Flex/WR3), Phillip Dorsett (Sit), Jordan Akins (Sit), Brevin Jordan (Sit)
This is the position group on the Texans where you can find a player worth plugging into a lineup. Brandin Cooks on volume alone helps him be a weekly flex play with the upside of a WR3. Cooks’ 7.2 targets and 4.33 receptions per game, along with his 11.4 yards per reception should make any manager happy, however, the poor quarterback play only has Cooks one touchdown in 12 games. Besides Cooks, all other wide receivers and tight ends should be sat.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterbacks
Sam Ehlinger (Sit)
After the injury sustained by Nick Foles, and being ruled out for week 18, Sam Ehlinger is in line to start for the Colts in Week 18, but he should not start in your Week 18 fantasy finals. In relief of Foles, Ehlinger came in and went 9/14 but for only 60 yards. He was however able to throw for a score. In a week that has two teams competing now for top draft picks, there shouldn’t be much fantasy output from either of these offenses.
Running Backs
Zack Moss (Start, Flex), Jordan Wilkins (Sit), Deon Jackson (Sit)
Zack Moss has led the Colts backfield the past three weeks, turning in Flex performances in each outing. You can expect the same heading into the final week of the season. With 17 carriers per contest, at 4.57 yards per carry, Moss handles most of the Colts running attack but has yet to find the end-zone. He has his most favorable match-up this week against the Texans who have given up the most rushing yards on the year.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Michael Pittman Jr. (Start, WR3/Flex), Parris Campbell (Sit), Alec Pierce (Sit), Jelani Woods (Sit/TE2)
Michael Pittman came into the season with managers having big expectations for the Colts leading wide receiver, and though he did provide for teams, it was not the jump most were expecting. Though a big part of that was the letdown play by the quarterback. However, Pittman has been a steady Flex/WR3 for most of the season and will look to continue that this week against one of the NFL’s weaker defenses. Last week Pittman was able to find the endzone and seemed to build a little spark with Sam Ehlinger.
Besides Pittman, Jelani Woods is the only other pass-catcher to consider plugging into your lineup. The rookie tight end has seen his workload increase throughout the final six games and is becoming a big red zone target for the Indianapolis Colts.