Two injured starting quarterbacks. One can still trudge out onto the field. Two underperforming "lead" running backs; one lacks a starting job, while the other could be out of a starting job by the fantasy playoffs. Two ailing receiving corps. One is missing its top two weapons; the other is down its #3 and #4 options.
That's where we are heading into tonight's contest between the Texans and Dolphins. For the home team, after an 0-3 start that included a horrendous home loss to the Giants, Houston has rattled off four straight to seize control of the AFC South. In my Premier Fantasy League, I reached a round or two too early for the Texans DST, but so far it's panned out. Heading into the season, the Texans were recognized as having the easiest schedule of any NFL team. Sure enough, their D has been able to feast in recent weeks, with a relatively easy schedule remaining in the second half. They're now the second-highest-scoring fantasy DST and are a must-start tonight.
To say Deshaun Watson is playing hurt is an understatement. He couldn't even fly with the team last week because of a partially collapsed lung. So he took the bus. From Houston to Jacksonville. That he hasn't missed a game is miraculous. That he's been sub-par the past two weeks is not. Watson should be able to crank out a top-14 performance, but unless he's closer to 100% than people realize, his upside is capped against what should be an easily exposed Miami D. Fortunately for DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, they don't have to compete for targets with Keke Coutee or Ryan Griffin (Griffin had six catches two weeks ago). While Fuller's struggled, he and Hopkins are must-starts. At best Watson will finish in the top 6-8 range.
Meanwhile, Lamar Miller is making a play to remain Houston's clear #1 back. He needs to be in fantasy lineups tonight as no worse than an 18+ touch RB2.
On the other side of the ball, Brock Osweiler is a very risky streamer despite his recent success. I'm putting him in the top 14-20 camp and am anticipating at least three turnovers. His best WR playmakers, Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills, are out. DeVante Parker is the ultimate Hail Mary. And Danny Amendola on paper should get 8+ targets and serve as an adequate WR3. This is clearly a receiving corps in disarray, and it's coming at the worst time for a 4-3 team that's endured an inevitable fall after a 3-0 start. They'll lose tonight and will be no better than 5-5 entering their Week 11 bye.
In the backfield, Kenyan Drake remains the Dolphin RB to roster. But he and Frank Gore are essentially unstartable tonight. Houston's brutal against the run, yielding only 3.4 YPC and one rushing touchdown.
That's where we are heading into tonight's contest between the Texans and Dolphins. For the home team, after an 0-3 start that included a horrendous home loss to the Giants, Houston has rattled off four straight to seize control of the AFC South. In my Premier Fantasy League, I reached a round or two too early for the Texans DST, but so far it's panned out. Heading into the season, the Texans were recognized as having the easiest schedule of any NFL team. Sure enough, their D has been able to feast in recent weeks, with a relatively easy schedule remaining in the second half. They're now the second-highest-scoring fantasy DST and are a must-start tonight.
To say Deshaun Watson is playing hurt is an understatement. He couldn't even fly with the team last week because of a partially collapsed lung. So he took the bus. From Houston to Jacksonville. That he hasn't missed a game is miraculous. That he's been sub-par the past two weeks is not. Watson should be able to crank out a top-14 performance, but unless he's closer to 100% than people realize, his upside is capped against what should be an easily exposed Miami D. Fortunately for DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, they don't have to compete for targets with Keke Coutee or Ryan Griffin (Griffin had six catches two weeks ago). While Fuller's struggled, he and Hopkins are must-starts. At best Watson will finish in the top 6-8 range.
Meanwhile, Lamar Miller is making a play to remain Houston's clear #1 back. He needs to be in fantasy lineups tonight as no worse than an 18+ touch RB2.
On the other side of the ball, Brock Osweiler is a very risky streamer despite his recent success. I'm putting him in the top 14-20 camp and am anticipating at least three turnovers. His best WR playmakers, Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills, are out. DeVante Parker is the ultimate Hail Mary. And Danny Amendola on paper should get 8+ targets and serve as an adequate WR3. This is clearly a receiving corps in disarray, and it's coming at the worst time for a 4-3 team that's endured an inevitable fall after a 3-0 start. They'll lose tonight and will be no better than 5-5 entering their Week 11 bye.
In the backfield, Kenyan Drake remains the Dolphin RB to roster. But he and Frank Gore are essentially unstartable tonight. Houston's brutal against the run, yielding only 3.4 YPC and one rushing touchdown.