Fantasy football projections for Eagles versus Texans in Week 9

Since when did Texas become the center of the Philadelphia sports universe?  We have no problem with that. It’s been fun to watch the Phillies battle the Astros in Houston and in the City of Brotherly Love, and the Philadelphia Eagles should have no problem with the Texans on Thursday.

From a Fantasy football perspective, the Eagles have the Texans outnumbered across all positions. Let’s dig a little deeper.

Here’s a Fantasy breakdown for the Eagles and Texans game in Week 9.

Eagles and Texans Quarterbacks

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (25.61 projected points)

With Jalen Hurts coming off the best game of his career you’d expect a bigger number, but Houston has given up the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. There’s also a chance that Hurts gets pulled in the fourth quarter again. Now that the bye week is over, Hurts remains a ‘set and forget’ player for the rest of the year.

Texans QB Davis Mills (13.49 projected points)

Davis Mills hasn’t scored 20 fantasy points in a game all season. He’s failed to reach double digits three times, including last week against the Titans. You’re only starting Davis Mills this week if your starter is on a bye. Players like Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott have the week off. We’d suggest grabbing Marcus Mariota instead. He’s available in a majority of leagues and he’s scored 50 more fantasy points than Mills this season.

Running Backs

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (13.27 projected points)

Once again, this number could be higher. Miles Sanders has a touchdown in two straight games, but his nine carries against the Steelers were a season-low. Like Hurts, Sanders could be pulled for  Kenny Gainwell or Boston Scott if the game gets out of hand. There’s a lot of football left and anyone with Sanders on their roster needs to be patient.

Texans RBs  Dameon Pierce (12.63 projected points) and Rex Burkhead (6.27 projected points)

Believe it or not, Dameon Pierce has more Fantasy points than Sanders.  It’s impressive considering his slow start to the season. In the offseason, Pierce was a popular ‘sleeper’ pick and so far he’s lived up to the hype.

Burkhead shouldn’t be on your Fantasy roster, but you have to respect pass-catching backs on teams that play from behind so often. In reality, Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell are better backs, but in Fantasy football, Burkhead carries more weight.

Wide Receivers

Eagles WRs A.J. Brown (17.77 projected points) and DeVonta Smith (12.37 projected points)

A.J. Brown just revealed that he plays with $100 bills taped to his shoulders. He sure was money last week. He had almost 40 Fantasy points after a three-touchdown day. Only five receivers are projected to have a bigger game than Brown this week. Devonta Smith isn’t one of them, but he’s a safe fantasy play and could have a big day if the Texans focus on Brown.

Texans WRs Brandin Cooks (10.26 projected points) and Nico Collins (8.87 projected points)

Most of us thought Brandin Cooks would be traded once he was excused from practice on Tuesday. He wasn’t, and he’s mad. Cooks hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4 but he’s the best the Texans have.

Sorry, Nico Collins. A deal for Cooks fell through with the Cowboys, otherwise, you’d be the de facto WR1. Now you’ll ride ‘shotgun’ against an Eagle’s secondary that’s given up the second-fewest yards to wide receivers so far.

Tight Ends

Dallas Goedert (12.72 projected points)

Dallas Goedert continues to be president of the ‘I’m not Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews, but I’m better than everyone else’ club.  Once again, Goedert is the week’s third-ranked tight end. This would be a good week for Goedert to get his second touchdown, but the Texans have only given up five scores to tight ends this year.

Brevin Jordan (6.17 projected points)

Brevin Jordan was also considered a breakout candidate in the summer, it just hasn’t happened yet. He’s splitting lots of reps with the other tight ends but isn’t catching lots of passes. As bad as the tight end position has been this year, there’s still no reason to start Jordan.

Defense/Kickers

Eagles Defense (8.50 projected points) and Texans Defense (2.98 projected points) 

After two subpar Fantasy weeks, the Eagles’ defense rebounded in Week 8 with six sacks and two turnovers. Only the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals are ranked higher this week.

The Texans are ranked dead last. Technically, they’re ahead of the Dallas Cowboys and five other teams, but those teams are on a bye. That really shouldn’t count.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliot (8.61 projected points)

Jake Elliot tied his season low with five fantasy points last week. He didn’t kick a single field goal, but he did convert five extra points. Houston has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to kickers, so expect Elliot to convert one or two on Thursday. Why not?

Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (6.21 projected points)

Ka’imi Fairbairn also had five fantasy points last week but kicked one extra point. The Texans don’t score much, so Fairbairn owners need him to make longer field goals like the 43-yard kick he nailed last week. The Eagles give up the fewest fantasy points to kickers so Fairbairn should be well-rested by the end of the night.

Enjoy the game and don’t forget to check in on the Phillies.  Hopefully, both teams get the win against Houston.