Thursday Night Fantasy Football Matchup: Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 13 Match-up:  Houston Texans (5-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)

Rankings based on top 16 QBs, 32 RBs, 48 WRs and 16 TEs

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Houston Texans (Texans Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Philadelphia Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 13th - TDs Allowed T-28th

Philadelphia Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 12th – TDs Allowed T-13th

Houston Offensive Cast

Matt Schaub (QB Week 13 Ranking: No. 15)

2010 Season: 236/367 for 2,752 yards and 15 TDs

If Asante Samuel was going to be out of the lineup again for the Eagles, I’d put Schaub higher than this.  That said, Schaub’s best games so far this year have come on the road, so combine that with the likelihood of Philly going up early and you could see Matty tossing the pill all over the place in this game.

Arian Foster (RB Week 13 Ranking: No. 5)

2010 Season: 224 carries for 1,147 yards and 12 TDs. 48 receptions for 453 yards and 1 TD

Foster might be the biggest surprise in the league this season, as he currently leads the NFL in rushing yards, total yards and rushing TDs (though Michael Vick, Peyton Hillis, Dwayne Bowe and Brandon Lloyd might have something to say about that).  He’s been better at home this year, but the chance of him going for less than 140 total yards with a TD are as slim as they get.

By the way, not a single running back has gained 100 or more rushing yards in a Thursday game so far this year (six games).  It's a good bet either Foster or McCoy will buck that trend.

Andre Johnson (WR Week 13 Ranking: No. 13)

2010 Season: 65 receptions for 869 yards and 5 TDs

‘Dre may have avoided a suspension due to his fight with Cortland Finnegan last week, but he won’t be able to avoid Asante Samuel (assuming he’s healthy enough to play) sitting in his pocket all game this Sunday.  He’ll do okay, but don’t expect big numbers this week.

Kevin Walter (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 31 receptions for 384 yards and 4 TDs

Walter is a bit banged up, so avoid using him if you can.

Jacoby Jones (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 27 receptions for 255 yards and 1 TD

Jacoby might see a few more targets this week if Walter ends up either coming out gimpy or not playing at all.  That said, he’s still not worth much more than a deep flex play in larger leagues.

Joel Dreessen (TE Week 13 Ranking: No. 3)

2010 Season: 22 receptions for 336 yards and 4 TDs

Dreessen has been outstanding in relief of Owen Daniels and I expect the trend to continue this week.  The Eagles have a real tough time covering the tight end, so look for Schaub and Dreessen to connect a good five-plus times for some good yardage and possibly a TD this week.

Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Houston Pass Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 31st - TDs Allowed 32nd

Houston Rush Defense – 2010: Yards Allowed/Game T-9th – TDs Allowed T-13th

Philadelphia Offensive Cast

Michael Vick (QB Week 13 Ranking: No. 1A)

2010 Season: 149/235 for 1,941 yards and 13 TDs. 64 carries for 419 yards and 5 TDs

You might actually want to consider Vick the 1A this week next to Rodgers.  A matchup against the weakest defense in the league could mean another four TD passes and two more rushing for the old jailbird in Week 12, so saddle up this Thursday night… it could be a real fun game to watch.

LeSean McCoy (RB Week 13 Ranking: No. 10)

2010 Season: 156 carries for 779 yards and 6 TDs. 59 receptions for 448 yards and 1 TD

McCoy should be able to have his way with this Texans defense, along with every other offensive position player on the Eagles for that matter.  I mean the kid has barely averaged over 14 carries a game this year, yet still he’s seventh in the league in total yards with 1,227 (111.5 yards/game).

DeSean Jackson (WR Week 13 Ranking: No. 5)

2010 Season: 35 receptions for 678 yards and 5 TDs

DeSean got chewed out by Coach Andy Reid last week for not taking the Bears game seriously.  Whenever a scolding like this occurs, one of two things can happen:  1) The player tucks his tail between his legs and disappears from significance or 2) The player steps up his game and dominates immediately thereafter.  Against the worst pass defense in the league, I’m betting on the second option.

Jeremy Maclin (WR Week 13 Ranking: No. 9)

2010 Season: 51 receptions for 752 yards and 8 TDs

Vick loves tossing the rock to Maclin, so even though DeSean should and WILL get his targets this next game, expect J-Mac to reel in a good seven or so receptions for some decent yardage and TD this Thursday night.

Jason Avant (WR Week 13 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 41 receptions for 479 yards and 1 TD

Avant had himself a real nice game against the Bears with The Green Blur, basically taking the week off.  He won’t match his totals of eight catches for 83 yards again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he caught another four or five.

Brent Celek (TE Week 13 Ranking: No. 11)

2010 Season: 26 receptions for 287 yards and 3 TDs

The Texans are awful in every aspect of defending the passing game and that includes covering the tight end.  Celek may have been a disappointment so far this year, but this game could be a whole different animal for the young tight end.