Texans vs. Patriots in Divisional Round
The Houston Texans are set to face off against the New England Patriots this Sunday in Foxboro during the divisional round of the playoffs. The Patriots, who won against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, are favored by three points at home. Meanwhile, the Texans secured a victory over the Steelers. Interestingly, this game has the lowest over/under of the weekend, sitting at 40.5 total points. Both teams boast solid defenses, but the Texans will be without their standout wide receiver, Nico Collins, who is sidelined due to a concussion.
Let’s dive into some of the best options for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) for this matchup.
Drake Maye, QB, Patriots (FLEX $13,000, CPT $19,500)
While scoring might be restrained in this matchup, I’m leaning towards Maye for a breakout performance. The Texans often use man coverage, which should allow Maye some chances to scramble effectively during the game.
LaMondre Stephenson, RB, Patriots (FLEX $11,200, CPT $16,800)
Stephenson has maintained a solid performance, gathering 14 looks for a total of 128 yards last week. Although he hasn’t had any explosive plays yet, he has been outshining rookie Treveyon Henderson, taking on a larger role in goal-line situations or as a receiving back. He may need to contribute more in the passing game to find gaps against the Texans’ defense, but his recent form suggests he could perform well again.
Christian Kirk, WR, Texans (FLEX $8,600, CPT $12,900)
With Collins likely unavailable, Kirk’s potential for a significant performance rises. He had an impressive outing last week against the Steelers, catching eight of nine targets for 144 yards and a touchdown. With Christian Gonzalez potentially not featuring this week, Kirk could really shine.
Kayshon Boot, WR, Patriots (FLEX $5,800, CPT $8,700)
The Texans’ defense is strong, particularly in man coverage, thanks to their skilled corners. If Maye connects deep down the field, Boot could have some opportunities. I anticipate the Patriots will take a few calculated risks as usual.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Texans (FLEX $5,400, CPT $8,100)
Hutchinson stepped up significantly in Week 18 against the Colts, especially with Collins out. He caught five of nine targets for 84 yards. While he might face stiff competition from other receivers, there’s potential for him to see more targets this week. It could be a smart move to consider him, especially if you need to save some salary cap space.
Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots (FLEX $7,600, CPT $11,400)
Henry has been a reliable target this season, scoring in three of his last four games. The Texans have allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends, which is higher than the number conceded to wide receivers. His price point provides decent value, given that he typically doesn’t rack up huge yardage but still represents the best scoring opportunity for the team.
