Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Texans Players & Weekly Rankings
| C.J. Stroud | QB | QB1/2 |
| Woody Marks | RB | RB2 |
| Nick Chubb | RB | RB3/4 |
| Nico Collins | WR | WR1 |
| Jayden Higgins | WR | WR2/3 |
| Christian Kirk | WR | WR4/5 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | WR | WR5 |
| Jaylin Noel | WR | WR5 |
| Dalton Schultz | TE | TE1 |
Chiefs Players & Weekly Rankings
| Patrick Mahomes II | QB | QB1 |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | RB2/3 |
| Isiah Pacheco | RB | RB3/4 |
| Brashard Smith | RB | RB4/5 |
| Rashee Rice | WR | WR1 |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | WR3 |
| Hollywood Brown | WR | WR4/5 |
| Travis Kelce | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Since Week 8, C.J. Stroud has continued to play at a middling starter level. Since Week 8, among 46 qualifying passers, Stroud ranks sixth in yards per attempt but 34th in highly accurate throw rate, 29th in catchable target rate, and 33rd in hero throw rate. He could have a nice spike week in Week 14, though. The Chiefs’ pass defense has been struggling. Since Week 9, they have allowed the sixth-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-most passing yards per game, the fourth-highest success rate per dropback, and they have generated the 13th-lowest pressure rate. Stroud is a QB2 that could turn in QB1 numbers this week.
Since Week 10, Jayden Higgins has been the WR24 in fantasy points per game. He has settled into a 60%-ish route share weekly. Last week, he had a 62.2% route share. Since Week 10, Higgins has had an 18.5% target share, a 30% target per route run rate, 50 receiving yards per game, 2.15 yards per route run, and a 22.2% first-read share. In his last four games, he has had four red zone targets and five deep targets. If Houston would allow him to play a 75-80% route share, he could be winning people weeks, but I’ll take what we can get from Nick Caley. Higgins has been uber-efficient with his workload and drawing targets at a high level when on the field. Since Week 11, the Chiefs have utilized two high at the second-highest rate (61.9%). Since Week 10, against two high, Higgins has had a 30% target per route run rate, 2.28 yards per route run, and a 22.4% first-read share. Higgins should crush again this week. Since Week 9, the Chiefs have allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Since Week 3, Dalton Schultz has been the TE12 in fantasy points per game with an 18.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run, 49.5 receiving yards per game, and a 19.3% first-read share. In those ten games, he has had seven red zone targets and five deep targets. Since Week 11, the Chiefs have utilized two high at the second-highest rate (61.9%). Since Week 3, against two high, Schultz has had a 20.3% target share, 1.81 yards per route run, and a 22% first-read share. Schultz is a solid TE1 again this week. The Chiefs have faced the sixth-fewest tight end targets per game, but they have ranked 17th in yards per reception allowed. Kansas City is a neutral matchup for Schultz.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Since Week 10, Marks has been an RB3 who is getting an RB2 workload. Since Week 10, he has been the RB36 in fantasy points per game, but he has been averaging 67.1% of the snaps with 18.1 touches and 67.1 total yards. Among 55 qualifying backs, he ranks 20th in explosive run rate and 37th in yards after contact per attempt. Marks has a horrible matchup this week and will need a touchdown to pay off as an RB2. Since Week 9, Kansas City has allowed the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game, the 11th-fewest yards after contact per attempt, and had the ninth-best stuff rate.
Since Rashee Rice has been a full-time player in the Chiefs’ offense (Week 8), Worthy has been the WR51 in fantasy points per game with two top-36 weekly finishes (WR33, WR28), which have come in his last two games. Houston’s perimeter corners are really, really good, but the coverage matchup is working in Worthy’s favor this week. Since Week 8, he has had a 16.6% target share with 44.2 receiving yards per game, 1.29 yards per route run, and a 21.8% first-read share. In those five games, he has had two red zone targets and seven deep targets. Since Week 9, Houston has utilized single-high at the seventh-highest rate (59.9%). Since Week 8, against single high, Worthy has had a 19.8% target share with 1.65 yards per route run and a 26.9% first-read share. The problem for Worthy is that, since Week 9, Houston has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Worthy gets a bump with the positive single high numbers, but it still only makes him a dart throw flex this week.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Last week, even with Isaiah Pacheco back, Hunt retained his lead back role with a 63.6% snap rate, 15 touches, and 70 total yards. He played 75% of the team’s red zone snaps. I expect Hunt to keep this role moving forward. Among 55 qualifying backs, Hunt ranks 42nd in missed tackle rate and 27th in yards after contact per attempt. Hunt is best viewed as a volume-fueled flex play this week. Since Week 9, Houston has allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game, the lowest missed tackle rate, the sixth-lowest rushing success rate, and the tenth-fewest yards after contact per attempt.
DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Eagles Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jalen Hurts | QB | QB1 |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | RB2 |
| A.J. Brown | WR | WR1 |
| DeVonta Smith | WR | WR2 |
| Jahan Dotson | WR | WR5 |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | TE1/2 |
Chargers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Justin Herbert | QB | TBD |
| Kimani Vidal | RB | TBD |
| Omarion Hampton | RB | TBD |
| Quentin Johnston | WR | WR3 |
| Keenan Allen | WR | WR3 |
| Ladd McConkey | WR | WR2 |
| Oronde Gadsden | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
It has been a disappointing season all around for Saquon Barkley as the RB15 in fantasy points per game. He has only one week with at least 100 rushing yards (vs. NYG) and only three games with at least 80 rushing yards. Barkley has averaged 19.4 touches and 83.3 total yards per game. Among 55 qualifying backs, he ranks 26th in explosive run rate, 35th in missed tackle rate, and 43rd in yards after contact per attempt. He’s a volume play weekly, but he could have a nice game this week. The Bolts’ run defense has been dramatically overrated all season. Since Week 9, they have allowed the fourth-highest missed tackle rate, the tenth-highest rushing success rate, and had the ninth-lowest stuff rate.
DeVonta Smith is the WR20 in fantasy points per game with a 25.4% target share, 66.8 receiving yards per game, 2.13 yards per route run, and a 31.9% first-read share. Smith is second on the team in red zone targets (seven) and leads Philly in deep targets (18). Since Week 6, the Bolts have had a second-highest two high rate (62.7%). Against two high, Smith has had a 25.7% target share with 2.15 yards per route run and a 32% first-read share. He leads the team in each of those categories. Smith should lead the way for Philly’s passing attack this week. Since Week 9, the Bolts have allowed the 13th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers while also giving up the 14th-highest passer rating to slot receivers. Since Week 9, they have faced the second-fewest slot targets in the NFL, so we’re working with a small sample here and differing info. This should be viewed as a neutral matchup for Smith.
After seeing his route share dip recently, Keenan Allen came roaring back last week with a season-high 82.1% route share. Overall, he has been the WR28 in fantasy points per game with a 21.3% target share, 51.8 receiving yards per game, 1.87 yards per route run, and a 23.8% first-read share. Since Week 7, Philly has utilized two high at the fourth-highest rate (56.3%). Against two high, Allen has seen his numbers improve with a 21.4% target share, 1.96 yards per route run, and a 23.2% first-read share. Allen could lead the way for the Bolts’ passing attack this week, especially when you consider his matchup on the perimeter. Since Week 9, Philly has allowed the third-most receiving yards per game and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Dallas Goedert is the TE10 in fantasy points per game, but he hasn’t finished as a TE1 in weekly scoring since Week 8. Goedert has a 17.2% target share with 36.6 receiving yards per game, 1.33 yards per route run, and an 18.8% first-read share. He is tied for second on the team with seven red zone targets while kicking in six deep targets. Since Week 6, the Bolts have had a second-highest two high rate (62.7%). Against two high, Goedert has seen his numbers climb with an 18.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run, and a 21.1% first-read share. The Chargers have held tight ends to the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game, but that is more related to them facing the fourth-fewest targets per game to the position. Los Angeles has also given up the 12th-highest yards per reception and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends. This is a plus matchup for Goedert.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Since Week 6, Gadsden has been the TE9 in fantasy points per game with a 17.2% target share, 65.4 receiving yards per game, 2.30 yards per route run, and a 21.3% first-read share. In those seven games, he has had ten red zone targets and six deep targets. Since Week 7, Philly has utilized two high at the fourth-highest rate (56.3%). Since Week 6, against two high, Gadsden has had an 18.6% target share with 2.37 yards per route run and a 20.6% first-read share. He’ll face an uphill climb this week against a defense that has shut down tight ends. Philly has allowed the second-fewest receiving yards per game and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Justin Herbert broke his hand last week. He had surgery this week, but his status for Week 14 is up in the air. I’ll update this situation on Saturday, but I won’t be surprised if we get Trey Lance under center for Week 14.
The Chargers’ backfield is unsettled this week as we await news of Omarion Hampton‘s potential return. Jim Harbaugh is doing his usual grammatical dance with the media. I’ll update this situation on Saturday once we know more from the coaching staff and practice reports.
The Chargers’ backfield is unsettled this week as we await news of Omarion Hampton‘s potential return. Jim Harbaugh is doing his usual grammatical dance with the media. I’ll update this situation on Saturday once we know more from the coaching staff and practice reports.
Quentin Johnston is the WR29 in fantasy points per game with a 17% target share, 47.7 receiving yards per game, 1.39 yards per route run, and a 21.1% first-read share. He leads the team with 13 deep targets while also ranking fourth in red zone targets with 11. This isn’t the matchup to consider flexing Johnston. Since Week 7, Philly has utilized two high at the fourth-highest rate (56.3%). Against two high, Johnston’s numbers have cratered with a 14.5% target share, 0.98 yards per route run, and an 18.6% first-read share. Since Week 9, Philly has allowed the third-most receiving yards per game and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers, so maybe that helps Johnston this week. I’m not projecting a ceiling performance for him, though. He’ll need a touchdown to save his day.
Ladd McConkey is the WR21 in fantasy points per game. McConkey has a 21.8% target share with 56.9 receiving yards per game, 1.68 yards per route run, and a 22.3% first-read share. He is tied for the team lead with 13 red zone targets while ranking third in deep targets with nine. Since Week 7, Philly has utilized two high at the fourth-highest rate (56.3%). Against two high, McConkey has led the way with a 22.4% target share and a 25% first-read share while posting only 1.38 yards per route run. The lack of per-route efficiency from McConkey is concerning, and with the corner matchup, it’s tough to expect a monster game from him. Since Week 9, Philly has limited slot receivers to the lowest PPR points per target and the lowest passer rating when targeted.
DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*
