Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The struggling Houston Texans' passing game combined with the blitz-happy Kansas City Chiefs should have fantasy managers dialing back expectations for quarterback C.J. Stroud in Week 16. The second-year quarterback has been sacked the fifth-most times in the league this year, which is not a great sign against a Kansas City defense that knocks down quarterbacks and blitzes at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Last year's Rookie of the Year hasn't logged a top-10 quarterback finish since Week 4 or passed for 300 yards since Week 5. The fantasy playoffs and a game at the defending champs probably is not the time or place to bet on a rebound for managers in one-QB formats.

The Houston Texans' offense has been a bit of a letdown this season, but wide receiver Nico Collins has been every bit as good as advertised, maintaining his WR1 status against Kansas City in Week 16. The Michigan Man has played at least 70% of Houston's snaps in seven games and finished in the top 15 among receivers in five of them. Even when things have gone awry, he has produced, as evidenced by last week's game in which he had a season-low 17 yards, but still scored two touchdowns. This week, he'll take on a Kansas City defense that blitzes the second-most of any team, but ranks 12th against fantasy receivers. Managers should feel confident knowing that Collins has delivered in challenging settings before and can do it again.

Even by boom-or-bust standards, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell has been an extreme case this year, making him a low-end WR4 option in Week 16 against Kansas City. The second-year receiver has failed to surpass 50 yards receiving eight times in 13 games and logged just one top-15 finish among receivers all season. This week, he goes up against a Kansas City defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest total yards and knocked down the quarterback at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Attached to a Houston passing game that has looked out of sorts for large portions of the season, Dell shouldn't be relied upon in standard formats.

Despite a favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz should be considered a TE2 in Week 16. The former Dallas Cowboy is reliably playing 80% of Houston snaps and averaging three catches per contest, but rarely delivering big performances, finishing in the top 10 for fantasy tight ends just once in 14 games. The Chiefs' otherwise strong defense has been most vulnerable against tight ends, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to them this year. Managers rostering Schultz, however, are likely having a difficult time trusting him to make a difference in the fantasy playoffs. He should be saved only for formats that play more than one tight end.

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn is yet again a top kicking option with his team set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The UCLA product is coming off back-to-back perfect weeks, has not missed an extra point this season, and is the overall No. 2 at his position for fantasy points. Kansas City ranks a sturdy fourth against fantasy kickers, but 13 of Fairbairn's 33 made field goals have come from beyond 50 yards this season, making him fantasy relevant week-in and week-out. He's a worthy starting option for managers in the playoffs.