As with any football matchup, there is always a fantasy football aspect that comes with. The Titans-Texans matchup has intrigue.
DeMarco Murray
Murray has been a fantasy football stud, and is currently the overall RB1 in PPR leagues. Being used as a workhorse in both the running and passing game, Murray has had a resurgent year and looks like Dallas Cowboys DeMarco in Tennessee. He’s an every-week must-start, regardless of matchup.
That said, this isn’t a very enticing matchup. The loss of J.J. Watt does make things a bit easier, but the Texans are still a very good defense. Considering the Titans passing offense isn’t threatening anyone, DeMarco could face loaded boxes in this one, so temper your expectations.
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Delanie Walker
Walker’s presence was sorely missed last week and it was apparent. The Titans passing offense struggled to get anything going, with Jace Amaro leading the team in receiving yardage. Walker roasted the Lions linebackers in week two and would’ve done the same to the Raiders’ in week three.
Walker is expected back, but he might be somewhat hampered by the hamstring injury that kept him out of week three. The matchup is also brutal, as the Texans are 29th in fantasy points given up to tight ends. Regardless of these caveats, Walker remains the focal point of our passing offense and can be deployed as a TE1.
Lamar Miller
Miller has been a usage monster through three weeks, with the Texans making good on their word to give him all he can handle. Miller’s efficiency, though, has been concerning. He’s averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and hasn’t found the end zone yet. Surely, it’s only a matter of time before he hits pay dirt, but this may not be the week.
The Titans have completely stifled opposing running games, giving up the fourth fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Latavius Murray found the end zone last week against the Titans, but he only averaged 3.7 yard per carry. Yards and catches for running backs are hard to come by against the Titans, making Miller a volume-based RB2 in this matchup.
DeAndre Hopkins
If you’re betting on the highest scoring player in this game, I would put my money on Hopkins. Hopkins’ two stat lines against the Titans last year: 8/94/1 and 7/117/1. The Titans can’t cover him (not that anyone really can). Hopkins is a route technician that makes some of the most acrobatic and surreal catches that you’ll see on a football field.
The Titans defense has been surprisingly good so far, but they’ve given up a 100 yard receiver in three straight games (Stefon Diggs, Marvin Jones, Michael Crabtree). While Will Fuller is a boom-or-bust receiver, Hopkins is a high-floor, high-ceiling option every week. Look for him to top 100 yards and possibly get into the end zone as well.
Team Defenses
Given Watt’s loss, many owners might be cutting bait with the Texans defense. They’ll still be useful in good matchups, and the Titans have proved to be an offense to target from a defensive standpoint. Tennessee gives up the third most fantasy points to defenses. Even the Detroit Lions got eight fantasy points against us. We haven’t put up many points and we turn the ball over; a recipe for fantasy defense success.
The Titans defense has been really good so far this season. They aren’t giving up many points and they can get pressure on quarterbacks. Against Brock Osweiler, who looked like a clumsy deer in Foxborough last Thursday night, the Titans make for a very interesting streaming option. Houston gives up the eighth most fantasy points to defenses, and there might be plenty of sacks and interceptions to go around for the Tennessee defense.