Colts finally home, turn to OL to fend off oncoming Texans

Thu Nov 27 8:50am ET
Field Level Media

Hold the coronation of the Indianapolis Colts. The two-time defending AFC South champions might have something to say in the matter.

Houston hits Indiana's capital city with a three-game winning streak and a healthy quarterback, momentum the Texans plot to put to good use in closing the gap in the division. The Colts (8-3) are back in their comfort zone in Indianapolis on Sunday with two losses -- at Pittsburgh and at Kansas City -- that dented their lofty conference standing following a 7-1 start.

The Texans (6-5) have taken three consecutive meetings from the Colts by a combined nine points. Houston began the season 0-3, but has its season back on track thanks to a toothy defense.

Now C.J. Stroud will join the party. The star quarterback and his teammate, nickelback Jalen Pitre, cleared concussion protocol on Friday and are set to play in this pivotal game.

Stroud was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Barring a setback before Sunday, he'll be on the field for a fifth time opposite Indianapolis. Stroud is 3-1 in four games against the Colts.

"Picking up where we left off," Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said Wednesday after Stroud returned to the lead of the QB rotation at practice. "Going out there and being himself. He looked good out there. Excited to get back."

With Stroud out, the Texans took down Buffalo (23-19), Tennessee (16-13) and Jacksonville (36-29) the past three weeks with backup Davis Mills at quarterback. Even with the November to remember in progress for Houston, the Jaguars (7-4) separate the Colts and Texans in the South standings. Indianapolis, which last won the division in 2014 behind third-year quarterback Andrew Luck, is in Jacksonville next week.

The Sunday game will be the first of two meetings between the Texans and Colts, who also square off in the regular-season finale Jan. 4 in Houston.

The Texans lead the NFL in total defense (264.3 yards per game) and rank second in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). But Buffalo averaged 4.9 yards per carry and rushed for 143 yards last week, when Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 70.5% of his passes but was sacked eight times.

Ryans said the Bills went away from the script most teams follow to block the Texans' attacking front seven with a seven-man blocking scheme -- incorporating multiple tight ends or a fullback -- and rolled the dice with one-on-one matchups across the field.

This is the first look for Ryans and the Texans at the Daniel Jones-led Indianapolis offense, one with a functional run-pass option foundation designed to isolate second-level defenders and freeze linemen committed to contain. The former Giants first-round pick supplanted the purported QB of the future -- Anthony Richardson, drafted two picks after Stroud in 2023 -- and has accounted for 22 of the Colts' 40 touchdowns this season. He also has 10 turnovers in 11 games.

Even at home, it's a high-stakes, high-pressure environment for Jones against the Houston edge rushing duo of defensive ends Danielle Hunter (11 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5), the player drafted between Stroud and Richardson. Hunter and Anderson are the first pair of teammates with 10-plus sacks in the first 11 games of a season since 2019.

Jones (fibula) was limited Wednesday and practiced fully Thursday and Friday. NFL Network reported that Jones has a broken fibula, but head coach Shane Steichen said he's "good to go." He'll need protection from his offensive line.

"We have a lot of confidence and trust in our guys up front, our tackles," Jones said. "Regardless of who you've got, you try to chip them, you try to help when you can. It's my job to get the ball out on time."

None of the Texans are asking for an introduction to MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor, Jones' partner in the Colts' backfield. He leads the NFL with 17 touchdowns (15 rushing scores) and has produced big numbers in eight career matchups with Houston: 1,067 total yards (133.4 per game) and 10 TDs (nine rushing). He registered the NFL's fastest speed on a scoring play this season -- touching 22.38 mph on a 43-yard reception in Week 2 -- per Next Gen Stats.

"They have smart players. But they have athletic players," Taylor said. "If we let that front run wild, it's going to be a long Sunday."

Taylor is running for history on Sunday.

With two TDs he can become the fifth running back in NFL history to reach 75 touchdowns from scrimmage -- non-passing TDs -- in fewer than 80 games. The others to accomplish the feat: Jim Brown and LaDainian Tomlinson (both 72 games), Emmitt Smith (77) and Todd Gurley (78).

The Texans ruled out linebacker Jamal Hill and cornerback Ajani Carter, both with hamstring injuries. The Colts had just one player ruled out, linebacker Jaylon Charles (ankle).

Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward, who just returned last week after missing five games while in concussion protocol, reappeared on Friday's injury report (groin) as a limited participant.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
Bhayshul Tuten Dec 5 11:20pm CT
Bhayshul Tuten

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten broke out in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, tallying a season-high 15 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. The rookie fourth-rounder left the game early with an ankle injury, but Tuten was outcarrying Travis Etienne Jr. 15 to 12 before exiting. Tuten also played a season-high 42.9% of the snaps in the first three quarters. Fantasy managers hoped that this was the beginning of a second-half breakout for the dynamic running back, but Tuten hasn't seen the same usage in the past two weeks. His snap share has dipped back to 26.3%, just marginally above his season average of 22.7%. The 23-year-old also hasn't been as efficient in the past two games, totaling 36 yards on 16 touches, but he has still earned some goal-line usage and was able to punch in a touchdown last week against the Tennessee Titans. His role hasn't quite expanded yet, and he remains firmly behind Etienne. Tuten holds low-end flex value in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Tyler Shough Dec 5 11:20pm CT
Tyler Shough

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 26 of 38 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the Week 13 loss to the Dolphins. He also added six carries for 18 yards and lost a fumble. Shough is averaging 40.5 pass attempts per game over his last two contests, and with the Saints unable to establish a consistent rushing attack, he'll be forced to continue airing it out. As a starter, Shough is averaging 235 passing yards per game with a 5:3 TD:INT ratio. With Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) ruled out, additional volume could once again be on the table in the passing game when the Saints travel to Tampa Bay in Week 14 to face a Buccaneers defense allowing 247.5 passing yards per game, fourth-most in the NFL. Shough will rank as a QB2 for the contest.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Dec 5 10:40pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison got off to a hot start after returning from suspension in Week 4. In four games with veteran Carson Wentz at quarterback, Addison recorded 21 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets, ranking as the WR12 with 16.0 PPR points per game. Since Week 9, however, the poor combination of QBs J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer has significantly limited Addison's production, as he's hauled in just 12 of his 33 targets for 139 yards and a touchdown. The 23-year-old wideout has two games with at least 10 targets during that span, and he's caught just seven of them for 84 yards. It's been a frustrating season for Addison and the Vikings' pass-catchers, and it has made it a very tough offense to trust in fantasy football. McCarthy is set to return as the starting quarterback in Week 14 after missing last week due to a concussion. It's a solid matchup for Addison against the Washington Commanders, but he remains a low-end flex play until we see more stability from McCarthy.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Dec 5 10:30pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been sidelined since Week 4 after suffering a knee injury and being placed on Injured Reserve. Benson was a non-participant every day in practice this week, marking five missed sessions in a row, and was officially ruled out for Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The second-year back hasn't practiced since last Wednesday, and time is running out for him to return this season. The Florida State product was in line for a workhorse role after James Conner (foot) went down for the season in Week 3, but Benson's opportunity has been derailed by a nagging knee injury that required surgery. He played well in the four games he suited up for this year, recording 29 carries for 160 yards while adding 13 receptions (16 targets) for 64 yards. Benson is still a good stash, as he would be the Cardinals' lead back if he returns, but that's still an unknown as of now. Arizona will continue to rely on the combination of Bam Knightand Michael Carterin Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Dec 5 9:50pm CT
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell converted his lone extra-point try in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It was his second consecutive game without a field goal attempt, but fantasy managers should not be discouraged heading into a Week 14 clash with the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This is an extremely favorable matchup on paper, as Baltimore has surrendered the most made field goals and the most fantasy points to opposing kickers this season. While Pittsburgh's offensive struggles could cap Boswell's ceiling, the stakes of this matchup should ensure the Steelers stay aggressive to generate scoring opportunities with the AFC North title on the line. The 34-year-old is likely to have an important role on Sunday and thus can remain locked into starting fantasy lineups.

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Darius Cooper Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Darius Cooper

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper achieved his second-highest snap percentage of the season last week against the Bears, seeing 24.1% of offensive plays. This is the first time in his career that he's played over 20% in consecutive games. Unfortunately, Cooper came back down to earth after his two-catch outing against the Cowboys, and was unable to record any stats against Chicago. It is interesting to see the undrafted rookie get some more opportunities, and with fellow WR Jahan Dotson (toe) being limited at the last two practices, Cooper's number could be called even more this week against the Chargers. However, he'll still be behind star wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and he has a lot more work to do to prove himself as a consistent option on this offense. Cooper is still not ready to be rostered in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert tallied fewer than 30 yards for the third straight game in last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. Goedert's scoreless streak has now extended to four games, and he has totaled just 11 targets since Week 11. His recent woes may continue on Monday night as Philly travels to Los Angeles to meet the Chargers, who allow the sixth-least amount of fantasy points to tight ends this season. At this point, Goedert has betrayed what trust is left in him several times. If all of his touchdowns on the season were wiped off the board, he'd have one, arguably two strong showings under his belt. Especially when faced with a strong defense, he should be considered a low-end TE2 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Jake Elliott Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Jake Elliott

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott missed multiple kicks in a single game for the first time this season against the Chicago Bears, with one of those being his first missed extra point this year. Elliott is tied for the fewest made field goals in the league, hitting just 12 through 13 weeks. This week, Philly plays a Chargers defense that allows 21 points per game, which is the 11th-fewest in the league. With the Eagles recent struggles on offense and Elliott coming off of his worst performance yet, it's best to seek out another kicker for Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Washington Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Darnell Washington

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington led the team in receiving yards last week and should remain involved against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. While the Ravens have been solid against opposing tight ends this season, Washington's blend of size and athleticism may be important for Pittsburgh to keep pace with its division rival. The third-year pro has emerged as a reliable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) and leads all Steelers tight ends in yards after catch and red zone targets. That said, projecting usage remains tricky with Washington sharing snaps alongside Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. He's not a viable option in most redraft formats, but desperate fantasy managers in deeper leagues can consider streaming him in this AFC North clash.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has now gone four straight games without a touchdown, which is his longest scoring drought since 2021. Barkley has also seen a dip in usage over the last couple of weeks, averaging 11.5 carries in his last two outings compared to the 20 he was averaging in Weeks 7-11. Although, this could be chalked up to Philly having to play from behind in their recent back-to-back losses. In Week 14, Barkley faces off against a Chargers defense that allows 106.9 rushing yards per game and has given up 14 touchdowns on the ground through 12 games. It's no daunting matchup, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year is due for a boom game. As long as the Eagles don't find themselves in too big of a hole in this contest-which they shouldn't-bank on Barkley to find his footing again despite the rough patch. He's a low-end RB1 this week.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Tank Bigsby

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby only saw the field for one play in last week's loss to the Bears, getting out-snapped by fellow RB Will Shipley. Granted, Shipley himself only got four snaps on offense. Philly had to rely more on the passing game against Chicago due to trailing for over three full quarters, leaving even Saquon Barkley with a light workload. It wasn't a great game to be a backup in this backfield, but Bigsby has shown that he's probably the guy to turn to when Barkley needs relieving going forward. Expect him to see some more action this week against the Chargers, but still not enough to warrant a fantasy start.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Dec 5 9:20pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best performance of the season last week, lighting up the Bears with 10 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. His heavy involvement was in large part thanks to Jalen Hurts throwing 34 passes-his third-most in a game this year. Brown will likely have a tougher time this week as Philly visits the Chargers. Los Angeles boasts one of the best pass defenses in the league, giving up just 12 receiving touchdowns this season-tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. They also allow the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs this year. However, Brown has really hit his stride lately, accumulating a mouth-watering 33 targets over his last three outings, which makes it tough to doubt him now. It'll be a challenge, but slot him in as a high-end WR2 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Dec 5 9:20pm CT
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith failed to impress last week against the Bears, finishing with a mediocre five catches for 48 yards on eight targets. He and A.J. Brown both racked up a hefty majority of looks from Jalen Hurts, but while Brown turned those into a dominant showing, Smith fell behind on the stat sheet. Another problem is that Smith has now matched his longest scoreless streak of the season, going three straight games without finding the end zone. In Week 14 he's up against a Chargers defense allowing just 168.3 passing yards per game-good for second-best in the league. Philly already totes a lackluster passing game-averaging 196.3 yards per game-so there may not be enough to go around for Smith and Brown, not to mention the other weapons on the Eagles offense. It's a scary week to rely on him, so Smith should hover around a low-end WR2/FLEX spot versus Los Angeles.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Dec 5 9:10pm CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was finally back to full speed during last week's win over the New York Giants. Stevenson missed three games due to a toe injury. During that time, rookie TreVeyon Henderson went wild with five touchdowns in three games. The rookie back has rushed for over 60 yards in five of his last six games. Henderson is playing so well that the Pats can't take the ball out of his hands. The expectation is that the two backs will split up the workload down the stretch of the season. Stevenson rushed for 40 yards on 12 attempts last week, while Henderson finished with 67 yards on 11 carries. The Patriots are on a bye this weekend, but the expectation is that Henderson will see a larger chunk of carries over the final four games. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Stevenson while lowering their expectations.

From RotoBaller

Jonnu Smith Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Jonnu Smith

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith has been extremely quiet on the field outside of his nine receptions through the first two games of the season. It has become much worse of late, with Smith posting some games with less than 10 receiving yards. Over the last four games, he has finished with one catch or fewer in three of them. The Steelers have too many tight ends to feed them all consistently. At this point, Smith has fallen behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington in the pecking order at the position. Smith is unlikely to have much success against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. None of these tight ends should be viewed as consistent options, but Smith is by far the worst of the bunch.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III went catchless on two targets in Week 13 and will look to carve out a larger role against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore allows the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, but while the matchup is appealing, Austin's role is becoming increasingly uncertain. Pittsburgh claimed veteran Adam Thielen off waivers earlier this week, signaling a desire to upgrade its receiving corps. It's unclear how involved Thielen will be in his Steelers debut, but any added competition only further clouds Austin's already inconsistent usage. That said, Austin is not a viable fantasy option this week and should remain on waiver wires in most redraft formats.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns but partnered those with two turnovers in last Friday's 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears. Philly's offense has only managed to put up more than 20 points once in their last four games, and they'll have their hands full this week with a Chargers defense on Monday Night Football. Los Angeles has the second-best pass defense in the league this season in terms of touchdowns and yards allowed, giving up just 12 total scores and 168.3 yards per game through 12 contests. However, with Hurts' dual-threat ability and tush pushes always on the table, he's going to be worth a vote of confidence. The Eagles should find their stride on offense with playoffs around the corner, but temper expectations for their passing game in this matchup. Consider Hurts a low-end QB1 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 5 8:50pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was being viewed as a league-winner when he was in the midst of a mid-season surge. He came out of nowhere and had four straight performances with 60 receiving yards or more. Since Week 10, though, Gadsden has been basically invisible on the field. During that span, he has six receptions for 81 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Another factor to consider is that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand. Herbert is hopeful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it's unclear how much he will be impacted by the injury. The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed and could lean on the running game more with rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on track to make his first appearance since Week 5. Gadsden probably won't offer more than TE2 value in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Dec 5 8:50pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been held below 50 receiving yards in five straight games but will hope to turn things around against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore has been vulnerable to receivers this season, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points, the third-most targets, the ninth-most receptions, and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns to the position. With Pittsburgh entering Sunday's divisional showdown as underdogs, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) could be forced to throw often to keep pace in a game that may determine the AFC North front-runner. Despite his recent struggles, Metcalf remains the clear top option in the Steelers' passing game and will need to play a crucial role if they hope to compete. Fantasy managers can deploy Metcalf as a boom-or-bust WR3 or flex play this week.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Dec 5 8:30pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs had a solid mid-season run where he was posting performances in the WR20 range. Now, Doubs appears to have taken a back seat in the receiving game with Christian Watson becoming quarterback Jordan Love's go-to target. Over the last four games, Doubs has finished with fewer than 50 receiving yards in three of them. Doubs managed to salvage his fantasy value with a touchdown during last week's Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions. Given his recent play, Doubs hasn't earned much faith from fantasy managers. The impending return of Jayden Reed (shoulder, foot) will make it even more difficult for Doubs to make an impact in Green Bay's crowded receiving room. For now, Doubs can be viewed as a low-end flex option for the Week 14 divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears.

From RotoBaller