The Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers seek to get to end September on a high note. For the Texans, a 3-1 start would be their first since 2016, the last time they won a playoff game, and a 2-2 mark for the Panthers would be a nice way to finish a month where they lost their starting quarterback two games in.
However, in the fantasy football world, some people are just looking for a win. If so, here are some sits and starts from the Texans-Panthers game that could get that first win, or avoid that first loss.
starts
Texans QB Deshaun Watson
The Pro Bowl field general produced a 300-yard game at the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-20 win and has seemed to have found his stride for the season. What Waston does really well is protect the football, so there is a guarantee that he won’t have any negative plays that deduct from his points. The Panthers defense is tied for third in the NFL with 12 sacks so far, so, they could give him trouble. But Watson’s penchant for the big play, even when harassed, makes him a fantasy start.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey
The Texans defense gives up 5.4 yards per carry, tied for the second-most in the NFL. Add in the fact McCaffrey has a 5.4 yards per carry, tied for the seventh-highest in league, and it is a recipe for the former Stanford Cardinal to produce another 100-yard game. It isn’t a bad presumption because McCaffrey is virtually the only weapon the Panthers have, and they will want to emphasize him in order to take the pressure off of second-year quarterback Kyle Allen.
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins
The two-time All-Pro had his customary 100-yard, multi-touchdown game in Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints, but has kind of been pedestrian since then. Nonetheless, when there is a chance to start Hopkins, take it, because one wouldn’t want to have him on the bench and he does produce a big game. Against the Panthers, there is a chance he could have a key game fantasy wise as Carolina’s defense has given up 51 catches to receivers through the first three weeks, the second-most in the NFL.
sits
Panthers QB Kyle Allen
The former Houston Cougar had a great start to the 2019 season, but the reality is it was against the Arizona Cardinals, not a playoff team from a season ago that has one of the edge defenders tied for the league-lead in forced fumbles and a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year on the other side. The only way starting Allen would be a prudent decision would be in a daily fantasy league as he won’t be commonly owned and, if he has a great game somehow, would then be very valuable. Otherwise, leave him on the bench.
Panthers TE Chris Olsen
The Texans defense has given up 90 receiving yards to tight ends, the eighth-fewest in the NFL, and have only allowed 11 receptions, also the eighth-fewest in the league. Throw in no receiving touchdowns being scored against the Texans defense, and it is understandable why one would shy away from Olsen in Week 4. Safety Tashaun Gipson has been a tremendous asset to the Texans defense in locking up tight ends, and he should do it against against Carolina.
Texans TE Jordan Akins
Speaking of tight ends, the second-year Central Florida alumnus had a heck of a game in Week 3 with three catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Have the Texans found the next Owen Daniels? More data is needed, and that is why Akins does not make sense as a start against another good defense against tight ends as the Panthers are. Furthermore, the Texans offense is one that takes what the defense gives them. Akins isn’t going to force his way into receptions like Hopkins will. If the Panthers lock down Akins, that’s it, and the Texans will quickly pick up on it and go elsewhere for their yards.
