Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Fantasy managers rostering Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins are dreaming of big-time points against a bad Jacksonville Jaguars defense in Week 13. The star receiver has a ready-made matchup against a defense that has allowed the second-most yards after the catch, fourth-most total yards, and third-most points against fantasy receivers. Houston has had pass protection issues, but Collins is still averaging 89 yards on nearly eight targets, and there's no reason to think Houston wants him to see less of the ball against one of the NFL's worst defenses. He should be a lineup lock this week.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell will take on one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL when Houston travels to Jacksonville in Week 13, but he remains an unpredictable WR3/Flex option in an up-and-down offense. He is averaging more than 10 yards per target in the two games since fellow receiver Nico Collins returned, but hauled in seven catches total across both contests, signaling he is likely to be a boom-or-bust option. Jacksonville ranks 29th in air yards allowed and 31st in yards after the catch, so there certainly is home-run potential for someone in the Texans' offense, but Dell's lack of volume comes with some risk.

At this stage of the season, fantasy managers rostering Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz in a one-tight end format would be hard-pressed to trust him, even in a great matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston still clearly values the veteran tight end, who is playing 80% of its snaps, but his decline in receiving production has made him a depreciating fantasy asset. In PPR formats, the former Dallas Cowboy has zero top-10 finishes among tight ends, and now rookie tight end Cade Stover has begun steadily earning more receiving work as well. The Jags rank 27th against fantasy tight ends and 31st for yards after the catch allowed, but managers should view Schultz as a touchdown-dependent TE2.

Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn of the Houston Texans enters Week 13 against Jacksonville coming off one of the worst missed field goals of the year, an uncharacteristically pulled chip shot that would have tied the game in an eventual 32-27 defeat to Tennessee. The UCLA product is now 82% on field goal attempts this year, which is 21st among kickers but his volume still makes him the overall No. 1 fantasy kicker and a clear starter again. Nobody has attempted more field goals or made more from beyond 50-plus yards than Fairbairn, and the Jags have allowed more fantasy points to kickers than anyone. Contending fantasy managers still should keep an eye on waiver wire kickers, especially with Houston on a bye in Week 14.

A promising start ended with an ugly defeat for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who finished 20-for-33 for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee. He also added 18 rushing yards, which accounted for nearly half of Houston's 40 rushing yards as a team. The second-year quarterback threw first-half touchdowns to tight end Cade Stover and receiver Nico Collins, but went on to throw two picks, and his attempt at a game-tying drive ended with a safety. Houston continues to be mercurial as an offense, but still holds the lead in the AFC South. Luckily, Stroud has a plus matchup with Jacksonville in Week 13.