RADIO
Houston Texans D/ST An Elite Play in Week 9
The Houston Texans D/ST is one of the best options available this week as they return from a bye week and visit the Chargers in Week 9. The Chargers are the last winless team in the NFL at 0-7 and have yet to reach 100 total points this season, averaging just 14.1 points per game. The Bolts have turned the ball over 17 times in seven games and allowed 23 sacks, making them one of the best D/ST matchups available, even though they have not allowed a D/ST touchdown yet. The Texans had 21 sacks and six takeaways in their seven games before their bye week. They haven't been quite as dominant as they were last year, but the unit is still stuffed with playmakers and has the ability to take advantage of this favorable spot in Week 9. In RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings, the Texans are the No. 2 D/ST, so start them with confidence this week in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Houston Texans D/ST A Very Strong Start Vs. the Giants
The Houston Texans D/ST is expected to be one of the best defensive units to deploy in Week 7, as they host the Giants on Sunday afternoon. The Giants are turning to J.J. McCarthy at QB for his first start of the season, and McCarthy has been turnover-prone and prone to being sacked in his past chances as a starter. The Texans had an interception and no sacks last week against the Jaguars in London, but they had at least three sacks in each of their previous four games, and typically they do a great job pressuring opposing QBs and forcing them to make mistakes. The Texans are the No. 2 D/ST in RotoBaller's Week 7 rankings, so they are a strong starting option in all formats in this favorable home matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Houston Texans D/ST Is a Fringe Start in a Tough Matchup
The Houston Texans D/ST takes on the Jaguars in a big division game early on Sunday morning in London. Houston's defense had been struggling during the team's 0-4 start but bounced back with a good game against the Titans, allowing only three points, forcing two turnovers, and piling up four sacks in last week's road win. Will Anderson Jr. had three of those four sacks, while Jake Hansen picked off Cam Ward and Jalen Pitre recovered a fumble from Tyjae Spears. The Texans will face a much tougher opponent this week, though, since the Jags have only had three turnovers in five games while allowing an average of 2.0 sacks per game. They have been one of the top 10 worst matchups for defenses this season, but the Texans still have enough talent and big-play potential to be a fringe option in Week 6. RotoBaller ranks them as the No. 10 D/ST for the week, making them a decent start if a D/ST in a better matchup isn't available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Houston Texans D/ST a Must-Start vs. the Titans
The Houston Texans D/ST has been a disappointment in some ways this season, allowing 30+ points to the Bills in Week 1 and the Cowboys last week. The D/ST did get three sacks and a blocked kick last week, but has forced zero turnovers in three of Houston's four games this year. The pass rush has been effective with multiple sacks each week and a total of 14 sacks in four games, and they have faced a tough slate of matchups. This week, they get a much more favorable matchup on the road in Tennessee against the Titans. Houston's defense is the No. 2 DEF in RotoBaller's rankings this week, making it a strong option to use with confidence in all formats. The 0-4 team will be desperate to get its first win of the season and will look to lock down Cam Ward and the Titans to secure that victory.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeMeco Ryans to Take Over Defensive Play-Calling
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans will take over defensive play-calling duties going forward, according to Adam Schefter. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke will give up the play-calling following a 0-4 start to the season. This news comes after the Texans gave up 34 points to the Dallas Cowboys last week. They failed to get any turnovers and gave up nearly 400 passing yards and 17 receptions to CeeDee Lamb. Clearly, something needed to change in Houston, and Ryans has decided to take over the play-calling for now. Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, so this is in his wheelhouse. This defense should bounce back against the Tennessee Titans offense in Week 5.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Houston Texans D/ST Still a Top-10 Option
The Houston Texans D/ST has still made plays this season, despite the team's 0-3 start. This week, they're at home in a desperation game against the Cowboys, making them still a strong option to start in most formats. In three games, the Texans forced three turnovers last week against the Colts and stacked up four sacks while allowing 19 points. They have multiple sacks in each of their three games this season and have held the Bengals and Colts in check after struggling with the Bills in Week 1. The Cowboys have only allowed three sacks in three games this year and only have two turnovers. They are not a great D/ST matchup for the Texans, but the elite playmakers in Houston's defense still make it the No. 10 D/ST unit in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings. Temper expectations in the tough matchup, but the Texans should still be started in most formats this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texans D/ST Looking to Bounce Back against the Colts
The Houston Texans D/ST was expected to be an elite unit this season, but they struggled in the first two weeks against the Bills and Bengals. They did get five sacks in Week 2 against Cincinnati, but are still looking for their first takeaway of the year. In Week 3, they'll go on the road to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, who have three turnovers in two weeks but have only allowed two sacks. Both the Colts and Texans are 0-2 and desperate for a win, but the Texans' defense has enough talent and playmakers to be the difference in this Week 3 matchup. The Texans are an elite play as the No. 3 DST in RotoBaller's rankings, so play them with confidence this week in Indianapolis.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texans D/ST Is a Top-10 Option in Potential Bounce-Back
The Houston Texans D/ST was expected to be one of the best options for fantasy football, but in Week 1, they had a very tough matchup against the Bills and Josh Allen. They allowed 36 points and only managed two sacks and no takeaways in a disappointing showing, but they'll be in a slightly better spot this week against the Bengals and Joe Burrow. Cincinnati scored 33 points in Week 1 against the Bucs with one interception and just one sack allowed. Houston's defense is still stacked with playmakers and brings an elite pass rush, so they are ranked as the No. 9 D/ST in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings. Even in a less-than-ideal matchup, they are a top-10 option at home this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texans D/ST In a Tough Matchup in Week 1
The Houston Texans' defense and special teams unit faces a tall task in Week 1, taking on Josh Allen and the Bills. Houston's defense was among the best in the league last year and has plenty of playmakers at every level. They added Reed Blankenship and Jadeveon Clowney to the rotation this year and should be able to stack up sacks and turnovers again this year. However, the matchup against Allen and the high-powered Bills' offense knocks them down from the must-start tier of defenses this week. In RotoBaller's rankings, the Texans D/ST is ranked No. 13, making them a fringe starting group in most leagues. If you drafted them highly, you can still use them in Week 1, but temper expectations based on the difficult matchup and look forward to dominant performances later in the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
