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Week Nine is upon us and it's time once again to set our fantasy roster. Let's take a look at a few Texans players as they take on the Eagles.
Starts
Arian Foster, Running Back - Foster is second in attempts (146), yards per game (109.4), and tied for first with rushing touchdowns this season with Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray. Only two running backs, Murray and Foster, have over 700 yards rushing through eight weeks; in fact, only seven runners have over 500 yards this season. The Texans' offense lives and dies with Arian Foster, and that won't change on Sunday. The Texans have to control the tempo with the mile-a-minute Eagles offense.
The Eagles are in the middle of the pack when it comes to defending fantasy running backs, allowing 17.1 fantasy points per game to running backs.
Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver - The Eagles have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to receivers this season - 26.6 points per game. By themselves, the Texans' two top receivers have played well enough to start in fantasy when given the chance by the inconsistent Ryan Fitzpatrick. Andre Johnson has 68.8 yards per game on 5.75 catches. Johnson's value is in his volume of targets, while his counterpart DeAndre Hopkins' value comes from his explosive plays. Hopkins has four games with at least 89 yards receiving this season. The Texans' receiving corps is a safe bet this Sunday.
Sits
Texans' Team Defense and Special Teams - One of the Texans' weaknesses on defense is a lack of overall depth, something the high octane Eagles' offense will test. Philadelphia averages 71.4 offensive plays per game, second only to the Colts. That said, the Texans will face Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who has only one game this season without an interception. He has thrown seven interceptions in his last four games. If Houston hopes to win on Sunday, they will need to keep this trend going. The likelihood the Texans' defense will give up 30 points is much higher than them flustering Foles enough to make the Texans worth starting in fantasy.
Garrett Graham, Tight End - The tight end position is a figment of Texans fans' imaginations.
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Editor's Note: FanDuel is hosting a $500,000 one-week fantasy football league this weekend. It's $10 to join and first place wins $40,000. League starts Sunday 1 PM ET and ends on Monday night. Here's the link.
Eagles vs Texans coverage