Monday October 20, 2014
Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a game we are excited to watch. There are a lot of huge names and major fantasy implications in this one. J.J. Watt will try to wreak havoc on Big Ben and the Steelers offense on one side of the ball. On the other side of the ball the Steelers will attempt to slow down the Texans’ trio of stars. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can manage to have a decent game, Houston could pull off the road win against a battered Pittsburgh defense. This game is sure to determine a ton of fantasy matchups on Monday night.

Houston Texans: Key Players

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick is the one thing really holding this Texans offense back. They have an elite RB and tremendous WRs. Bill O’Brien continues to answer questions about Fitzpatrick remaining their starting QB. Unfortunately, he is their best option.
Verdict: Sit Fitzpatrick. He would be borderline in a three QB league.

RB Arian Foster
Foster has been absolutely dominant this season. His health is a concern and the Texans are running him in to the ground. But as long as he’s healthy he is getting a ton of touches and is just piling up TDs and yardage. If not for a game he left with an injury, Foster would be averaging 26.5 carries, 126.75 yards and 1.25 TDs-per-game. He has also caught 16 passes for 131 yards.
Verdict: Start Foster. He has been playing like the best RB in the league this season. He is a must start every week as long as he’s healthy.

WR Andre Johnson
Johnson capped off a big game last Thursday with his first TD catch of the season. He has not been great this year, but he’s still a solid start, especially in PPR leagues. He is certainly not what he used to be, however, you can plug him in as your flex.
Verdict: Start Johnson. Johnson is a safe start in PPR leagues with upside. Especially against a beat up Steelers defense.

WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins has been very good this season and has shown off spectacular talent. He is clearly one of the leagues brightest young stars at WR. He has outplayed all of the highly touted sophomore WRs this season.
Verdict: Start Hopkins. Despite not seeing as many targets as he deserves, his talent still makes him a must start.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Key Players

QB Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben has a nice matchup this week against the 28th ranked Texans pass defense. He had a down week in Week 6, but he will likely get back on track on Monday night.
Verdict: Start Roethlisberger. This matchup is just too good to pass up on. He should be started in most 12 team leagues and is very intriguing in 10-team leagues.

RB Le’Veon Bell
Bell has been one of the best and most consistent backs of the season. Despite not seeing the TD production we hoped for, Bell has totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season and has great PPR value. This is a solid matchup for perhaps the most well-rounded young RB in the league.
Verdict: Start Bell. Somewhat surprisingly, Bell has emerged as the star of his draft class. He is a must start on a weekly basis.

WR Antonio Brown
Brown is the most consistent WR1 in the NFL. He has had at least five catches and 84 yards in every game this season. With A.J. Green and Calvin Johnson sidelined, there is not a WR in the league I’d rather have on my fantasy team.
Verdict: Start Brown. This is a no-brainer, he should be in your lineup no matter who he’s facing. This is a great matchup anyway.

TE Heath Miller
Miller has been very disappointing this season. Besides one good game against a woeful Bucs defense, he has not been very productive. Despite being poor against the pass, the Texans have done a great job slowing down opposing TEs.
Verdict: Sit Miller. This is a bad matchup and there may not be a matchup good enough to make Miller a worthy starter.

Predictions

Final Score
Houston: 27
Pittsburgh: 24

Best Play
Texans: Arian Foster
Steelers: Le’Veon Bell

Sleeper
Marcus Wheaton