The NFL trade deadline has passed. The rich got richer (see: Buffalo Bills), while the inept got… more inept? The Houston Texans may be the perfect example of the latter. Their lack of success in the past few seasons, coupled with the Deshaun Watson debacle, certainly points towards ineptitude. Their handling of Brandin Cooks at the trade deadline seems to verify it. In addition to posting a cryptic-but-clearly-disgruntled tweet in the hours following the deadline, Cooks has not practiced this week and appears likely to miss tonight’s Week 9 Thursday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Already without number two receiver Nico Collins, the Texans are massive home underdogs to the league’s last remaining unbeaten team. A two-touchdown spread doesn’t exactly bode well for an exciting game. But it’s Thursday, so what else is new? The fantasy season rolls on, and duty demands we preview the game regardless of entertainment value. Flashy new helmets aside, let’s hope your fantasy rosters have decidedly more green than red this week.

Note: All point totals and rankings are PPR unless otherwise noted. Odds and betting information are courtesy Quarter4.

Week 9 Thursday Night Preview: Eagles’ Offense

The Eagles have put it all together under Nick Sirianni. Not only are they winning on the field, but they’re giving fantasy managers weekly gifts at seemingly every position. Philadelphia boasts top-flight starters almost across the board. Jalen Hurts is the current overall QB4 and leads all quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns. A.J. Brown is WR7 after Week 8. Dallas Goedert is TE7. Even the Philadelphia DST is tied for third overall. And that’s in spite of the fact that the Eagles have already had their bye. Throw in Miles Sanders getting run as a true number one backfield option, a very good number two wideout in DeVonta Smith, and a useable kicker in Jake Elliott, and it’s not hard to see why the Eagles are giving up a paltry 3.9 fantasy points per game to opposing DST’s.

Eagles’ Offense Big Question

Ok, then. Going up against one of the worst teams in the league, what could go wrong, right? Unfortunately from a fantasy standpoint, plenty. The Eagles are pretty much a consensus two-score favorite for this game. The Texans rank third and sixth in giving up the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers, respectively. The flip side to that is that they’ve given up the most points to opposing running backs. What are we to make of all this? Well, the Texans have been outscored 72-56 in the first half this season. Teams have the luxury of not having to throw a lot against them, particularly in the second half. This means depressed passing and receiving numbers, but inflated rushing scoring against them. Conversely, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 147-58 in the first half. This game is likely over by halftime.

The worry is Philly won’t need much to put this one away early. We may get slightly more than a out of this juggernaut of an offense before the Quez Watkins of the world take over. Granted, we could still see some eye-popping numbers in that time (remember last week, anyone?) But the possibility is there. I’ll repeat my mantra here: don’t overthink it. You’re starting Hurts, Brown, and Goedert. Even with the matchup “worries,” they’re top-12 weekly options at their positions. This week is no exception. Smith has WR2/FLEX value. Philadelphia’s DST is a top play this week. Elliott makes a useful streamer, as Houston surrenders the fifth-most points to fantasy kickers. Watkins makes an interesting daily play. Bottom line, though, is that you’re hoping for a competitive game late to maximize the value of your Eagles.

Week 9 Thursday Night Preview: Texans’ Offense

We’re not going to sugarcoat this. Houston is not good. While they are not the “proud” owners of the league’s worst record (by virtue of their Week 1 tie against the Colts,) they are statistically the league’s worst offensive team. The Texans rank last in points scored, last in first downs, next-to-last in total yardage, fourth-worst in rushing yards, and fifth-worst in passing yards. Not good in any case, especially in a field that’s completely based on offensive success. And not good in their Week 9 Thursday Night Football matchup.

Quarterback Davis Mills appears to have taken a step backward from the surprising relative level of success he experienced last season. His completion percentage, average yards per attempt, and passer rating have all dropped markedly. Even his rushing average is less than half what it was last season. Injuries to Collins and Brevin Jordan haven’t helped the offense under Mills. And now Cooks is unlikely to see the field in the near future as the team tries to repair the damage done over the trade deadline. The defense has struggled as well at times, although some of that can be blamed on the pressures stemming from the offense’s poor performance.

Texans’ Offense Big Question

About the only thing that has gone right for the Texans is the emergence of rookie running back Dameon Pierce. Pierce performed so well in the preseason that the team released presumed starter Marlon Mack and handed Pierce the job. He’s responded by posting the 11^th most rushing yards among running backs. Pierce has the second-highest rush share in the league behind only the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, and he’s making those carries count. He can be comfortably started most weeks as an RB2 at worst. The Eagles are not particularly strong against opposing backs, allowing 20.5 half-ppr points per game (good for only 15^th in the league.) Unfortunately, however, this is not a great matchup for Pierce based on likely game script.

The Texans should be forced to throw in this one in an effort to keep pace. Houston does not throw to Pierce as often as fantasy managers would like. Rex Burkhead owns a higher target share despite playing 17 percent fewer snaps this season. Even in the redzone, Pierce has just one target on the season to Burkhead’s three. They’d be better served passing the ball to Pierce more, but it doesn’t look like that’s their plan. Start him, but temper your expectations to that of low-end RB2 production. Mills warrants nothing more than a desperation fill-in play in two-quarterback formats. Collins and Cooks missing means you’re not starting any Texans’ wideouts. Jordan makes a deep bye fill-in or Daily play; the Eagles are middle-of-the-road against opposing tight ends. For the love of all that is holy, do not play the Houston DST this week, even in bye week Hell.

Betting Lines (Courtesy of Quarter4):

Favorite: Philadelphia (-17)

Over/Under: 42

Notable Props: A.J. Brown receptions (5.5); Dameon Pierce rushing attempts (20); Davis Mills passing yards (231.2)

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