Thursday October 8, 2015
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

This is actually another very intriguing Thursday night game. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a good game, but it is interesting nonetheless. The Colts are far from a lock to win this one. Andrew Luck is expected to get the start despite a banged up throwing shoulder and J.J. Watt is expected to attempt to rip his arm from his torso. Arian Foster could also see a heavy workload against the nightmarishly incompetent Colts defense. Speaking of terrible defense, Vontae Davis was spotted in a walking boot this week, so it’s not a guarantee Indy can stop anybody on the ground or through the air.

Indianapolis Colts: Key Players

QB Andrew Luck
It looks like Luck is good to go for Thursday night. He took the majority of the snaps in practice Tuesday and said he expects to play. Backup QB Matt Hasselbeck who has missed practice with an illness, also says he expects Luck to play. Luck  has struggled this season but should be out there for Thursday Night Football.
Verdict: Start Luck. He’s going to get this turned around sooner than later. If you drafted him as your top QB, you almost have to start him unless you have another great option.

RB Frank Gore
Gore has been much better the last two weeks than the first two. Nonetheless, he still hasn’t been all that good. Through four games he’s rushed for just 227 yards and punched in two TDs Week 3. Despite catching five passes for 34 yards last week, he only has nine catches for 46 yards on the season.
Verdict: Start Gore. I haven’t been high on Gore since he signed with Indy. Nevertheless, I like the matchup and situation this week. Aside from Watt, the Texans don’t do much to slow down backs. If Luck’s shoulder is less than 100 percent, he may rely more heavily on the rushing attack. I like Gore as a flex option this week.

WR T.Y. Hilton
Hilton is definitely the top target in Indy. He is really the only safe play in their WR corps. Look for him to catch a lot of short passes in space this week. Slants, out and ups, quick corner routes and plays like that. If Lucks shoulder isn’t 100 percent, that’s how they’ll have to exploit the secondary. Let the WRs do most of the work.
Verdict: Start Hilton. He’s a guy you have to get in your lineup. Hilton predictably isn’t putting up numbers like year, but his upside is great and he should have a solid game as a low-end WR3.

WR Donte Moncrief
Moncrief has emerged as the WR2 in Indy. He has actually been the best fantasy option in the group. He has more receptions and TDs that Hilton, but fewer yards and targets. That’s probably because Hilton isn’t really a great receiver. He is very physically gifted and a home run threat, but he has subpar hands and so-so route runner. The fear with Moncrief is if Phillip Dorsett and Andre Johnson begin to play a bigger role, he’s probably the guy who takes the hit.
Verdict: Start Moncrief. He has caught a TD in every game Luck has played in so far this season. Until that trend changes, roll with him in your flex.

Houston Texans: Key Players

QB Ryan Mallett
We all know Mallett is a very last resort in redrafts. However, he could be a sneaky good DFS play. He’ll come very cheap, and if Vontae Davis doesn’t play, DeAndre Hopkins should have his way with a putrid Colts defense. Add Foster catching dump offs into the mix and Mallett could compile some fantasy points. The concern is it looks like both Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington will likely miss the game. Shorts is very doubtful. Still, that Colts defense is bad.
Verdict: Sit Mallett. He may have some DFS value though.

RB Arian Foster
This should be the week Foster breaks out. As long as his groin isn’t overly sore on a short week, he should see an increased workload. The Colts defense is awful and if he’s close to 100 percent, which we assume he is, he should have a big game. It’s all about his volume of touches.
Verdict: Start Foster. When he sees the touches, he’s an elite RB1. Get him in your lineup.

WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins has emerged as the star we thought he would be in the NFL. He already has 31 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns. If Davis is out, he will dominate this game.
Verdict: Start Hopkins. He has emerged as a sure-fire WR1 despite his quarterback situation. He sounds a lot like the old Andre Johnson.

Note: Sorry for the shortage of key players. Houston isn’t exactly chocked full of fantasy stars, especially with Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington likely out.

Final Score
Indianapolis: 24
Houston: 27

Best Play
Colts: Andrew Luck
Texans: DeAndre Hopkins

Sleeper
Phillip Dorsett