Toro Times: Houston Texans Fantasy Forecast

In limited production the reigning NFL rushing champion Arian Foster,  has amassed a meager 10 rushes for 33 yards and zero touchdowns.

These numbers along with news that Foster is still nursing a tender hamstring would allow us to go out on a limb here with no worry of risking our fantasy football credibility. Besides when one has very little credibility to lose it doesn’t require much effort to lay it on the line which happens to be our case.

However, for those of you who are absolutely unable to get enough information for your fantasy football squads we have even more for you here at Toro Times.

I for one managed to stay away from Arian Foster this season and with good reason. After watching Foster develop a hamstring issue in preseason it’s usually my philosophy to steer clear of that player altogether regardless of alliances unless of course the value is to great to pass up.

In a cash entry league of mine I had the #2 overall pick and choose to roll with Ray Rice instead of Foster.

Let me add that passing up on Foster was very difficult to do but I have seen many more times than not a fantasy owner drive his or herself absolutely insane sitting on a #1 overall pick waiting on that player to finally get on the field and drop a fantasy squad some #1 overall type stats.

I say, “Not me”. Not this owner’s fantasy roster. Your overall first pick is too vital to your team’s success for the fantasy year. A #1 overall pick should be an unquestioned week to week starter for a fantasy squad and the players start status never should be one that needs to be questioned.

The bottom tier of your roster will eat up enough brain cells on their own without the debate over your #1 guy adding to the dilemma.

One key fantasy addition made last week just in time to plug the weekly stud into our line-up in substitution for a player with a much tougher match-up.

We managed to add David Nelson just in time to get his 10 catch performance gaining 83 & reeling in the game winning touchdown.

Nelson had actually had an early red zone target early in the game in which the catch carried him out of the back of the end zone.

Nelson could end up being quite the break-out player this year inBuffalo. If the Bills wide receiver is available on waiver wires then scoop him up quickly before your league arch-rival does.

Now onto the Toro Times fantasy forecast for the hometown Houston Texans.

As we mentioned earlier in regard to Texans tailback Arian Foster, we would stay away from both Foster & second year player Ben Tate for two reasons.

If Foster is able to go and Foster is inserted into line-ups but re-aggravates the hammy then your line-up is likely to lose that positional battle with your opponent especially if the injury is early on in Sunday’s game againstNew Orleans.

Now if Ben Tate is inserted into the line-up and Foster has a full productive game then obviously Tate’s numbers will suffer.

However, if you must start one of the two or own one of the two and absolutely must have them fill a position on an active roster then we suggest going with Tate.

Tate is averaging 4.6 yards a carry over the first two weeks of the season along with leading the league with 47 total rushing attempts. Tate also gained 32 yards on 4 catches last week.

Moving on and stating the obvious here Andre Johnson is a must start in all leagues in all formats. When analyzing Johnson’s stats after two weeks, Andre the Giant is consistent if nothing else.

Johnson has grabbed both 7 receptions and a touchdown in each week so far this season. Johnson is averaging 94 yards receiving pre game up to this point and is playing with a clean bill of health going into week three.

Andre Johnson, in most cases, was a 1st round pick in most leagues and is the perfect example of a fantasy player who should never be removed from a fantasy line-up for any reason other than a bye week or of course a dreaded long term injury.

Moving on to the QB position, Matt Schaub has been fantasy average this season and for good reason. The Houston Texans are leading the NFL in rushing attempts with 77 in the first two weeks of the season, the team has led comfortably early on in both games therefore dictating a strong run game in order to control both game clock and field position.

The New Orleans Saints have sent 6 or more rushers on 40% or more of the pass plays therefore Matt Schaub could find himself being harassed all game. Harassment could turn into bad decisions which could result in turnovers by the Texans taking away from Schaub’s overall stat total.

While there are better fantasy friendly games being played this weekend for QB’s Schaub is likely to throw for about 250 yards, 2 touchdowns and, 2 interceptions.

If the Texans fall behind and are trailing going into the 4th quarter then Schaub could end with a passing stat total of over 300 yards for the first time this season. We do not consider Matt Schaub as a must start. Especially in light of Rashad Butler recent tricep injury that has landed the left tackle on IR but if you need only average numbers and have no better options then plug and play away. We’ll hope for the best right alongside you.

Bryant Johnson and David Anderson will likely get the 3 to 5 catches each if Jacoby Jones doesn’t play Sunday. One of the two fill-in wide outs could even come away with a touchdown during the trip to the Big Easy.

Owen Daniels Has been less than stellar this year but did manage a touchdown reception last week and could get a second helping of the end  zone again this week.

If Jacoby Jones sits out this week then Daniels will likely be called on to pick up the void left by Jones’ vacancy in the passing game.

If Jones is inactive come game time Owen Daniels is a must start in our opinion.

For those that participate in the IDP leagues as well Brian Cushing is the only defensive player worth a start at the moment and that is solely based on total tackles alone.

Mario Williams has two sacks on the season averaging one per game and to drive home that point Roman Harper of the New Orleans Saints has 2.5 sacks on the season, half a sack more than the converted defensive lineman.

Williams has been disruptive in various other ways but limited on the fantasy football front so we would find another suitable option. Drew Brees of the Saints usually gets rid of the ball fairly quickly so sack numbers won’t be plentiful for the Texans and the Saints could easily put up 24 points at home during the new improved Houston Texans’ first true test this season.

For whole defensive and special team formats we are sitting Texans defensive & special teams units around the board.

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