Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

On one hand, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has a nice matchup on Christmas Day against a Baltimore Ravens passing defense that has struggled this year. But on the other, the circumstances surrounding the second-year quarterback leave a lot to be desired. Two of his top three receivers in Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are out for the year, his patchwork offensive line will face a Ravens unit that has the second-most sacks in the league, his running game will face the best rushing defense in the NFL, and the Texans very well could be running on fumes with a third game in 11 days. Though Baltimore ranks an attractive 27th against fantasy quarterbacks, Stroud hasn't had a top-10 finish since Week 4. He should be saved only for Superflex formats.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon will face another difficult matchup in Week 17 when his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. The 28-year-old has cooled off after being one of the top-performing fantasy running backs in the middle of the season, ranking outside the top 25 two weeks in a row, and now comes a Baltimore defense that ranks eighth against fantasy running backs and has allowed the fewest yards per attempt in the NFL. With wide receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) out for the year, it's possible Houston can involve Mixon in the passing game, which would be beneficial, especially in PPR formats. But given the tough matchup, the veteran should be considered a solid RB2/high-end flex this week.

Already his team's best wide receiver, Nico Collins of the Houston Texans could be due an even bigger target share on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens. The fourth-year veteran is the lone healthy member of Houston's talented receiver trio now that Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) are both out for the year. Additionally, he'll take on a Baltimore defense that has allowed a ton of points to fantasy wide receivers, ranking 30th against the position. Although Houston added another receiver to the fold in Dionate Johnson and has struggled at times this season as an offense, Collins has been regularly productive and should be considered a WR1 again in this matchup.

Following two serious injuries ahead of him, wide receiver Robert Woods of the Houston Texans could find himself as a popular, but not recommended, waiver-wire addition going into a Christmas Day meeting against Baltimore. The Texans have had awful wide receiver luck, losing both Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) for the year, leading them to claim Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday. While top target Nico Collins remains the clear No. 1 option, Woods drew a season-high six targets after Dell's injury in Week 16. Additionally, the Ravens have been one of the worst defenses in the league against fantasy receivers at 30th overall. But ultimately, starting a receiver who has just 16 catches in 15 games at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is an unnecessary risk.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz should be considered a high-end TE2 candidate ahead of the Texans' Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Houston offense has seen dramatic changes to its pecking order now that wide receivers Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are both out for the season, leaving the veteran tight end as the team's likely second option behind leading receiver Nico Collins. Baltimore ranks 22nd against fantasy tight ends, providing a solid matchup, but the former Dallas Cowboy has been reliant upon touchdowns for top-10 finishes. This year, Schultz has far more finishes outside of the top 20 (nine) than touchdowns (two), so managers should reserve him only for formats that play two tight ends.