Houston Texans Fantasy Football: Week 14 Starts And Sits

The Texans head to Jacksonville, home of the Jaguars, and I'm going to guess for at least one person who reads this, the home of their grandparents. The Jags' offense has been mid-day nap worthy.  Blake Bortles is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 15, and Jacksonville's best running back is former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. That said, the Jaguars are coming off a win.  They aren't a team to overlook.

Let's turn our attention to the various Houston Texans you may have on your fantasy team.

Starts

Arian Foster, Running Back - Foster is currently listed as probable for today's game against the Jags, and he practiced fully on Friday. Foster was sharp in his return to the lineup last week against the Titans.  He accounted for over a hundred yards of total offense. Foster and the Texans running backs will need to balance the Texans' offensive attack with the Jaguars' aggressive pass rush breathing down Ryan Fitzpatrick's neck. Jacksonville ranks twenty-sixth in rushing yards allowed per game (129.4 YPG), and they have allowed the most rushes of twenty yards or more (14) in the league this season. Foster has another great matchup for the playoff run.

DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver - DeAndre Hopkins, how I love thee.  Let me count the ways. Hopkins blew up against the Titans last week with 238 yards on nine catches (on nine targets) and two touchdowns. This week he faces a tough Jaguars pass defense that gets after the quarterback.  The Jags rank third in the league with 37 sacks this season. That said, Football Outsiders ranks the Jags dead last against "number one" wide receivers, where they allow an average of 83.5 yards on 7.1 catches per game. Hopkins' play will depend on Fitzpatrick's time and poise in the pocket, a big hurdle to say the least.

Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver - The Texans' G.O.A.T. picked up his second touchdown of the season last week against the Titans, but he also had a his third fumble of the season. Johnson is a start in the flex spot, as he will continue to Ryan Fitzpatrick's security blanket. He will rack up the targets and catches for a PPR league.

Texans' Team Defense and Special Teams - The Texans face their third rookie quarterback of the season this week in Jacksonville.  The Texans have forced four interceptions in their three previous games against rookie quarterbacks (2 from Derek Carr, 2 from Zach Mettenberger). The formula is the same for this week against Blake Bortles.

Sits

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback - Fitzpatrick won't repeat is his historic six touchdown day. He's Ryan Fitzpatrick, after all, a last resort fantasy quarterback at best.

C.J. Fiedorowicz or Ryan Griffin, Tight End - Fitzmagic's real trick is making tight ends disappear from the passing attack. With Garrett Graham out, there is no reason to pick up Fiedorowicz or Griffin as a spot starter. The best result to hope for is one of them vulturing a touchdown.  The Texans' tight ends simply don't get the volume of looks that warrant a start in the fantasy playoffs.

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