Texans, Ravens Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions: Should You Start Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud, Zay Flowers, Devin Singletary, Gus Edwards and More?
Discussing fantasy football options for the Texans and Ravens playoff game on Saturday.
The NFL’s Divisional Round has a pair of fun matchups lined up on Saturday and Sunday.
It’s time to dive into the AFC clash between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens and determine what guys you should be starting in playoff fantasy leagues or DFS. We will cover the other three games in articles too, so be sure to check back for those.
Quarterback Options
This is a fun quarterback matchup. You have the soon-to-be MVP in Lamar Jackson leading the Ravens and rookie sensation C.J. Stroud guiding the Texans.
In his first playoff start, all Stroud did against a strong Cleveland Browns’ defense was complete 16 of his 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He also avoided interceptions and fumbles.
These teams met all the way back in week one, with Baltimore prevailing 25-9. The Ravens’ defense stifled Stroud, which turned out to be one of his few “down games” all season. The rookie threw for 242 yards but completed just 28 of his 44 passes.
Jackson likely cemented the MVP honor with a strong finish to the season. He threw for 252 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in a big win over the San Francisco 49ers and followed that up with 321 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in a lopsided win over the Miami Dolphins. Jackson combined for 80 rushing yards on 13 attempts over those two games.
Oddly enough, one of Jackson’s worst outings this season came in week one against the Texans. Jackson was 17-of-22 passing, but for only 169 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown, while being picked off once - he gained 38 yards on six rushing attempts.
On paper, this is a much more favorable matchup for Jackson. Baltimore’s defense allowed opposing QBs to score just 12 fantasy points per week. Houston’s defense was pretty average, allowing 17 fantasy points.
Verdict: At this juncture of the season, there’s really not a quarterback left that I would be totally against starting. There are definitely some ones I like more though, and Jackson is one of those guys this week. I think Jackson will account for every single Baltimore touchdown in a 28-23 win over Houston, which should make him one of the highest scoring fantasy QBs this week. Stroud has done a great job of taking care of the ball this season, and as long as he continues to do that this week, he should be able to at least keep his team in the game and rack up a good amount of passing yards and a couple scores.
Running Back Options
Baltimore’s backfield has had a number of contributors over the course of the season. Gus Edwards has been the best fantasy asset overall, with Justice Hill helping out most of the year too. The Ravens lost Keaton Mitchell later in the season - after losing J.K. Dobbins early on. Baltimore brought in Dalvin Cook for the playoff run, and he should factor into things alongside Edwards and Hill.
Houston’s backfield has really only had two players make a difference this season, Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce. The former absolutely dominated the touches in the Wild Card Round, so there’s no guessing who might lead the way this week.
While it’s a great thing for Baltimore to have Edwards, Cook and Hill around, it’s a nightmare for fantasy owners to figure out who might lead the way, especially since we haven’t seen them on the field together yet.
Singletary had over 1,100 total yards, but just five total touchdowns this season. Pierce finished with over 500 total yards and two scores. Pierce was leading the team’s backfield during the first clash with Baltimore, and Pierce had 47 total yards on 13 touches, while Singletary had 15 yards on seven touches. Expect Singletary to get just about every touch this week.
Edwards had just under 1,000 total yards for the season, but scored 13 rushing touchdowns. Hill had over 500 total yards and four total scores. Cook was pretty much a nonfactor while playing for the New York Jets.
In the first meeting, Edwards finished with 32 total yards on eight touches, while Hill had nine yards and two scores on eight touches.
You can pretty much throw all the rushing stats from the first game out. Both defenses were pretty average in slowing opposing running backs. Houston allowed 21 points per week, while Baltimore allowed 20.
Verdict: To be blunt, I don’t like any of the running backs as starting options this week. I have no idea what to expect out of the Baltimore backfield trio - if I had to choose one, I’d try Edwards because of his nose for the end zone. Singletary is the clear top option for Houston, but I simply don’t like his chances at a big game. I’d start Singletary if I was forced to take a starter from this game, but I wouldn’t feel great about it.
Wide Receiver Options
There’s not a ton of great fantasy options at receiver in this game.
Baltimore has Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor to possibly utilize. Flowers was easily the top option for the team this season, and he only had 858 yards and five touchdowns.
Flowers went for 78 yards on nine grabs and 10 targets in the first game against Houston. Beckham had 37 yards on two catches and three targets, while Bateman added 35 yards on three grabs and targets.
Nico Collins was really the only Houston receiver that enjoyed a big day last week. He had 1,393 yards and nine touchdowns this season and is pretty clearly Stroud’s favorite target right now.
Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson also factored into the team’s win last week, but they only combined for 67 receiving yards on six catches. They could be more involved this week simply because it’s going to be a closer game.
Collins had 80 yards on six grabs and 11 targets in the team’s first meeting, while Woods added 57 yards on six catches and 10 targets. Hutchinson tallied a 9-yard catch on his only target.
Both of these defenses surrendered just 31 points to opposing receivers per game.
Verdict: Collins and Flowers are the only wideouts I would be interested in starting this week - it’s a toss up between them, but I’d give the slight edge to Collins because there’s less trusted pass catchers in his offense. After that, really anybody could be the next highest scorer. Here’s the order I’d take them in: Woods, Beckham, Metchie, Bateman, Agholor, Hutchinson.
Tight End Options
Each team could potentially have two solid tight ends factoring in.
Mark Andrews could be back for the Ravens after missing the past several weeks with an injury. Isaiah Likely has filled in pretty nicely, and has 411 yards and five scores to his name. Keep an eye on social media to see if Andrews will play or not - I wouldn’t expect him to play a ton of snaps in his first week back, but he could make a couple grabs and is one of Jackson’s favorite red zone targets.
Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan are Houston’s tight end options. Each guy caught a touchdown last week.
Way back in week one, Schultz only had 4 yards on two catches and four targets, while Likely filled in for an injured Andrews and had a 4-yard catch on his lone target.
Verdict: Schultz is my favorite option from this game, but I also think there’s better TE out there to start instead. I’d take Andrews here if he plays, and then Likely here if he doesn’t - I would try to stay away from both guys, but I could also understand gambling on Andrews. You could also gamble on Likely if Andrews is out, but I’d prefer to sit Likely and Jordan.
Other Thoughts
Both defenses are fairly healthy going into the contest. I’d only feel confident starting Baltimore’s defense this week, and many will probably try to avoid it seeing what Houston did last week offensively. I’d avoid Houston’s defense, not because I think they’ll get torched, but simply because I don’t see Baltimore turning the ball over or allowing many sacks.
Baltimore has the advantage when it comes to kicking.
Justin Tucker was 32-of-37 on his field goals this season and 51-of-52 on extra points. Ka'imi Fairbairn was 27-of-28 on his field goals and 21-of-22 on his extra points. I’d be fine starting either guy this week, but would take the reliable and clutch Tucker first.
