I was perfect on my predictions last week, make sure to read this before you set your lineup!
↵Start
Arian Foster - Some will look at the Bengals 6th ranked run defense and be worried. However, remember that Foster ran for 111 yards and a touchdown last week vs. the league's 2nd ranked rush defense; always start your stars. The Bengals have given up 130+ rushing yards two weeks in a row; the Texans will make it three in a row. I'm expecting 100+ yards and a touchdown.
Texans Defense - The Texans rank 2nd in points allowed, 2nd in yards allowed, 3rd in sacks, and 4th in turnovers forced; they're an automatic start. Andy Dalton has been good this season, but this defense will pressure him and force a few mistakes. Look at what the Bengals did against the Steelers (seven points on 232 yards, recording three sacks and one interception), expect something similar this week. The Steelers also held Dalton to under 50% in completion percentage for the first time in his career; the Texans did the same to Matt Ryan last week.
↵Neil Rackers - Yates played well enough to last week to prove that the Texans should be able to move the ball enough to give Rackers opportunities. Andre Johnson being out could help Rackers value with the Texans likely to struggle in the red-zone and have to settle for field goals. Rackers has been a top 5 kicker this year; keep him active.
↵Sit
↵Owen Daniels - I can't figure out why, but he's not producing. He hasn't scored a touchdown since week 4 and hasn't broken 80 yards since week 5; too risky to start. I still think Yates will target him more than Jones or Walter, but he's even losing out to fellow tight end Joel Dreessen who has 5 touchdowns since Daniels last score. Keep him on your bench.
↵TJYates - He surprised me last week with a pretty good performance, but there's no way I'd trust a 5th round rookie making his first road start vs. a tough defense. He might be worth a play vs. the Panthers or Colts if your starter has a tough match-up, but keep him benched until then.
↵Ben Tate - I like him as a flex start against weak defenses, but not against the good ones. Foster will get his no matter what with 25+ touches, but it'll be hard for Tate to produce against a good Bengals rush defense with only 8-10 carries. Proof, he's scored 6 total fantasy points combined during the last two weeks vs. Jacksonville and Cincinnati.