Houston Texans

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon ran the ball 14 times for 111 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Browns. He caught just one of two targets. However, it was good enough for another end-zone trip. The former Oklahoma Sooner hit the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time this year, and his efforts in Week 18 resulted in the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. But with the regular season in the books, the question remains whether Mixon will return to Cincinnati next season. He was almost released in the offseason. But he took a pay cut to stay with the team and finished the year with 12 touchdowns. Overall, Mixon exceeded expectations for fantasy managers. Yet, his outlook for the 2024-25 campaign will hinge on whether he remains in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. is a healthy scratch for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Bengals have also chosen to rest cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder), who came into the game listed as questionable. The Bengals have nothing to play for but pride in the final game of the regular season after being eliminated from postseason contention last week. The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed for the AFC playoffs, too, so both teams are resting players. With Smith out for Cincy, the Bengals will roll with tight ends Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox. None of them specifically are worth chasing for fantasy purposes. The 25-year-old Smith finishes his first year with the Bengals with only 18 receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz caught five passes in the team's 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. Schultz was quiet for most of the night but came up big in the Texans' go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter. The tight end caught three passes for 31 yards on that drive, including a key third-down grab. In the game, Schultz finished with five catches for 42 yards. The 27-year-old veteran will look to continue his solid season next week in the playoffs.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins exploded for a career day in the team's 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. Collins started off the game with a 75-yard touchdown on Houston's first offensive snap. That helped the young wideout finish with a career-high 195 receiving yards on nine catches and one touchdown. After his big day, Collins finished the regular season with 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. He'll look to bring that production next week into the playoffs for the Texans.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud led a key fourth-quarter drive to secure a playoff berth in the team's 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Stroud was almost perfect on Saturday, completing 20-of-26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie started the game on fire after connecting with Nico Collins for a 75-yard touchdown on Houston's first offensive snap. He then led a 12-play, 73-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Stroud will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs next week.