Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 23rd at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN
Betting Odds: TEN -2.5 , 42.5 Total on Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Matt Ryan (Start, QB2)
Matt Ryan threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Jaguars. In a matchup of two teams that have already played, Ryan will look to repeat his 356 yards and two touchdown performance. The Titans have given up the fifth most fantasy points to the quarterbacks (21.1). The Titans secondary has given up the second most passing touchdowns (12). Ryan has thrown the second most passing attempts (253) and the second most passing yards (1,765). The last time Ryan played the Titans, he was QB12, so look for him to be a solid QB2 the week with QB1 upside.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start, RB1), Nyheim Hines (Sit)
Jonathon Taylor is finally healthy after missing two games. Taylor only has one RB1 week this year, and in his first performance against the Titans, he only posted 43 yards and 3.3 fantasy points. The Titans have allowed the eighth most fantasy points a game to the running back position (15.4). You can’t keep Taylor out of your lineup even if he’s having an off year. Nyheim Hines is also practicing this week and is on schedule to be out of concussion protocol. This could be an interesting play considering Hines has garnered four targets a game on average. The Titans have allowed the fourth most touchdowns to receiving running backs (2). I wonder if this will be a Taylor get-right game, which is why I’m sitting Hines.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Michael Pittman (Start, WR1), Alec Pierce (Start, High-End FLEX), Parris Campbell (Sit), Mo Alie-Cox (Sit), Jelani Woods (Sit), Kylen Granson (Sit)
Michael Pittman had 16 targets last week and caught 13 receptions for 134 yards. This year Pittman has been good everywhere except touchdowns. In Week 4, Pittman was held to three catches for 31 yards on six targets. The Titans have given up the second most fantasy points per game to receivers (30.8). Look for Pittman to be more of his Week 6 self this time around against this terrible Titans secondary. Alec Pierce has been consistent since returning in Week 3, putting together three straight double digit games in fantasy. I think we can deem him the rightful number two in this offense and if he continues to improve his connection with Ryan, I expect were going to be talking about him as a WR2.
Parris Campbell played 100% of the team’s snaps in Week 6 and has been utilized the second most of any wide out in the slot (67%). Last week Campbell had 11 targets, two in the red zone, catching seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. That was Campbell’s first big week, so until he performs on a more consistent basis then I’ll be sitting him. The tight end room is a hot mess for fantasy, one week Jelani Woods has a TD, the next its Mo Alie-Cox. One thing is for certain, don’t start any of them.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill (Sit)
Ryan Tannehill has been a QB1 in the only two weeks that he’s gone over 200 yards. You’d think that would be a bare minimum for a veteran, well-paid QB in the NFL. I guess not if you’re Tannehill. The Colts are pretty good against fantasy quarterbacks, only allowing 16.7 fantasy points a game. The one weak spot has been running quarterbacks, to whom the Colts have allowed two rushing touchdowns, fourth most. Tannehill hasn’t gone over 19 fantasy points a game this year and I don’t see that changing this week, even with the rushing upside. Sit Tannehill.
Running Backs
Derrick Henry (Start, RB1)
Derrick Henry had 147 scrimmage yard in the Week 4 meeting against the Colts. Henry has seemed to have found his groove ever since Week 3 against Las Vegas. Since Week 3, Henry has averaged 140 yards a game and has been a top 10 RB. The Colts have been the 22nd best team against fantasy running backs (18.8 points a game). I expect Henry’s rise to continue this week with another great game against the Indianapolis Colts. Start Henry this week.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Robert Woods (Start, Low-End FLEX), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Sit), Austin Hooper (Sit)
Robert Woods had his highest snap share (80%) in Week 5, and with Treylon Burks out, he should continue to see an increase in productivity. Woods has low-end FLEX upside until Ryan Tannehill can figure out how to pass for other 200 yards. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine showed out for two receptions and 72 yards last time we saw him in Week 5. I don’t expect Westbrook-Ikhine to be given the volume needed to give him FLEX upside. Sit Westbrook-Ikhine. This offense is so bad and Austin Hooper as their starting tight end is the cherry on top. Hooper ran 19 routes and has the highest snap share of the Titans tight ends, but the joke is that Geoff Swaim has more fantasy points. Don’t start any tight end associated with the Titans.