Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has a decent matchup in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but the opponent is only part of the picture for Houston this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal takes on the 21st-ranked defense against fantasy running backs, but the real question surrounds Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston already has clinched the AFC South, but cannot improve its seeding on Sunday no matter what happens. Ryans committed to playing starters, but for how long? Mixon certainly has a matchup worth exploring, but the risk that he could be on the sidelines for a decent portion of the game has to be baked into his fantasy value for Week 18.

Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans is slated to remain his team's top target in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but he comes with an asterisk. Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers, though the Michigan product logged 92 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. The elephant in the room is how long Houston will play its starters. The Texans have committed to playing their regulars, but they're already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by beating Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans surely will be looking ahead to Wild Card Weekend at some point, which DFS players have to consider when evaluating Collins' Week 18 value.

Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods should not be considered a playable option in an unappealing Week 18 matchup against Tennessee. First, the veteran played only 38% of Houston's snaps in the first full game without fellow receiver Tank Dell (knee), and now Houston plans to debut recently added receiver Diontae Johnson in this one. Additionally, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers and Houston cannot change its playoff seeding, so there is a solid possibility Houston begins thinking ahead to its Wild Card game in the middle of Week 18. Woods wasn't a great play anyway, but DFS players should look elsewhere given the circumstances.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a fringe TE2 in a dicey Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Even without the surrounding circumstances, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy tight ends that held the former Dallas Cowboy to two catches and 20 receiving yards in the first meeting. Beyond that, any of Houston's offensive regulars are a dangerous bet due to the upcoming playoffs: The Texans are set in stone as the No. 4 seed and cannot move, so they have nothing to gain against Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to play starters, but he also must be thinking about the Wild Card round next week. That means Schultz and the rest of the Houston regulars could find themselves on the sidelines at some point, diminishing their weekly value.

Though Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been a top-tier fantasy option this season, he should be avoided in a dodgy Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran has an OK matchup against a Titans team that ranks right in the middle against fantasy kickers, but he comes with risk due to Houston's playoff positioning. The Texans already have locked down the AFC South and the No. 4 seed, so Sunday's results have no effect on them. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to start the team's regulars, but with much bigger fish to fry next week and nothing to gain Sunday, he certainly will be thinking ahead. As a result, Fairbairn's DFS value in Week 18 has to be tied to the likelihood he will be attached to a second-string offense at some point in the game.