Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview 12/21/19: Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

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The Houston Texans could clinch an AFC South title with a win over the Buccaneers on Saturday. After a huge win against the Titans last week, the Texans are in a great position to make the playoffs. If they lose to the Buccaneers, they will have to win their week 17 matchup against the Titans to win the division. It is very possible for the Buccaneers to win this game because they have won four straight games and the Texans have shown that they can lose to non-playoff teams. Just two weeks ago, the Texans lost to the Broncos. The spread for this game is currently 2.5 points in favor of the Texans. While the Texans are favored to win, the Buccaneers can win almost any game with their potent passing offense. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup page.

TV Schedule

Date: Saturday, December 21sh, 2019
Time: 1:00 ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
Coverage: NFL Network

Injury Report

Houston Texans: LB Benardrick McKinney (Q) – Concussion, RB Taiwan Jones (Q) – Hamstring
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans (Q) – Hamstring, WR Chris Godwin (Q) – Hamstring, WR Scott Miller (Q) – Hamstring, DT Beau Allen (Q) – Ankle, LB Anthony Nelson (Q) – Hamstring, T Donovan Smith (Q) – Knee, TE Tanner Hudson (Q) – Concussion, S Jordan Whitehead (Q) – Hamstring

Houston Texans Analysis

The Texans passing offense should have a great day against the Buccaneers 30th ranked pass defense. As the top receivers for the Texans, DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller should have great games. Hopkins should have the better game, as he is the WR1 of the team and has been consistently productive. Since week 5, Hopkins has scored 15+ PPR points in every game he has played. Nobody on the Buccaneers defense will be able to guard Hopkins, so he should have a great game. Will Fuller will also have a great game because he has performed well against porous defenses. Last week, he had 7 targets, just one less target than Hopkins. This week, he should get his fair share of targets and could have a monster game against a defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to receivers.

DeShaun Watson should also have a great game this week. Though he has thrown 4 interceptions over the last two games, he has averaged 24.5 fantasy points in those games. He is a must start against the Buccaneers defense that ranks 25th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Since this game will be played through the air, the Texans running backs should not do too well. Carlos Hyde will probably not have a great game because he is only used to run the ball, and the Buccaneers have the top-ranked run defense in the league. Duke Johnson is a desperate start this week in PPR leagues, as he should get a decent amount of receptions out of the backfield, but still will not be the focal point of the Texans offense.

Houston Texans Depth Chart

QB: Deshaun Watson
RB1: Duke Johnson
RB2: Carlos Hyde
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
WR2: Will Fuller
WR3: Keke Coutee
TE: Jordan Akins

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Analysis

A major issue for the Buccaneers this week is that their two top receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, are injured. Godwin will have an MRI done on his hamstring on Tuesday, which should determine his availability. Evans appears to be significantly hurt and may even miss the whole rest of the season. That leaves Breshad Perriman as the top receiving option for the Buccaneers. Last game against the Lions, he had 5 receptions for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has already shown that he can have a high production ceiling, and his production should be sky high against the Texans 28th-ranked pass defense. Last week, the Texans allowed 114 yards and 1 touchdown to AJ Brown. Perriman could easily post similar or better numbers than that.

Jameis Winston should also have a great game against a Texans defense that ranks 31st in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Even though he was missing Mike Evans last week, and Chris Godwin for the second half, Winston still posted 36.7 fantasy points. He is a fantasy stud and should definitely be started against this Texans defense. This defense even allowed 23.9 fantasy points to Drew Lock. Jameis should definitely have more success than Lock, making him a great start this week. Lastly, the running backs for the Buccaneers should be avoided this week because the Texans run defense is so strong. The Buccaneers will have to beat the Texans through the air to break apart this defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart

QB: Jameis Winston
RB1: Peyton Barber
RB2: Ronald Jones
WR1: Breshad Perriman
WR2: Justin Watson
WR3: Scotty Miller
TE: O.J. Howard

Daily Fantasy: Should be a Shootout

Breshad Perriman (DK: $5,300, FD: $6,400) is the daily fantasy start of the week. The Texans pass defense has been horrible, and Perriman should get a huge amount of targets as the Buccaneers’ top receiver. He is incredibly undervalued and should put up WR1 numbers this week. Also, Texans receivers DeAndre Hopkins (DK: $7,000, FD: $8,400) and Will Fuller (DK: $4,900, FD: $6,600) should have great games as well. The Buccaneers pass defense has not been good and the Texans will likely have to air the ball out a lot to keep up with the Buccaneers offense. Will Fuller is a great value pick this week and could easily put up similar numbers to DeAndre Hopkins. Lastly, both quarterbacks, Jameis Winston (DK: $6,700, FD: $8,000) and DeShaun Watson (DK: $6,500, FD: $8,500) should have monster games. In a matchup like this where both teams have strong passing offenses and weak pass defenses, we should see a very high-scoring game. Most of that should be through the air, which make Winston and Watson great starts.