Fantasy Football Previews - Week 3 - Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos
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Texans

Denver's defense is improving, but it's definitely not ready to shut down offenses that feature the aerial game. Matt Schaub's club doesn't do that, but the passer directs a dangerous, balanced attack. He'll get his chances to put up points as a low-end QB1.

Arian Foster just doesn't sit for you, but he may find it to be tough sledding in Week 3. Ben Tate may have similar troubles and in his lesser role is a risky flex play. Those who start either may be hoping for the home run carry or catch.

The other Texans player you don't bench is Andre Johnson. Although Denver will probably shade coverage his way, he'll get his chances and can beat any of Denver's DBs one-on-one.

Tight ends have posted big numbers against Denver early on. That's encouraging for Owen Daniels, who's off to a strong start, too, and looking like a decent TE1 in Week 3.

Broncos

Peyton Manning's fantasy owners may be worried sick after watching his Week 2 game. It's not time to panic, but it's time to temper expectations. Houston does plenty on D to temper expectations as it is, although to be fair, they've faced only the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars thus far.

Willis McGahee did very well in a sub-par matchup on Monday Night Football, but the Texans are in a class of their own in terms of run defense. McGahee remains worth a start (unless you're in a shallow league), but his outlook isn't super.

Houston's suffocation of the passing game of course extends to the wideouts. Demaryius Thomas should have a tougher time making big plays, and Eric Decker could have more trouble getting open. Brandon Stokley could be a sneaky play at the end of your lineup, since the top duo could be stifled.

The Broncos haven't used their tight ends a great deal, and to some degree, Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen cancel each other. Neither is a good play against this D.

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Texans fantasy football rankings

Pos Rk	Fan Value	Player
10	1	Matt Schaub
8	1	Arian Foster
36	Flex or bench	Ben Tate
65	Bench	James Casey
86	Bench	Justin Forsett
6	1	Andre Johnson
78	Bench	Kevin Walter
111	Bench	Lestar Jean
112	Bench	Keshawn Martin
9	1	Owen Daniels
56	Bench	Garrett Graham

Broncos fantasy football rankings

Pos Rk	Fan Value	Player
13	1	Peyton Manning
16	2	Willis McGahee
50	Bench	Knowshon Moreno
61	Bench	Lance Ball
17	1 or 2	Demaryius Thomas
32	2 or 3	Eric Decker
56	3 or flex	Brandon Stokley
103	Bench	Matthew Willis
29	Bench	Jacob Tamme
35	Bench	Joel Dreessen

Access all of this week's fantasy football player rankings and cheat sheets.

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Texans latest news and notes

Texans | Ed Reed may be ready for training camp

Updating a previous report, Houston Texans FS Ed Reed (hip) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, or midway through it.

Texans | Brooks Reed works at ILB in workouts

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said LB Brooks Reed received some reps at inside linebacker during organized team activities Monday, May 20, which allowed LBs Sam Montgomery and Trevardo Williams to work at outside linebacker with the first- and second-team defense.

Texans | Ed Reed doing well

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said FS Ed Reed (hip) is doing very well in his recovery from offseason hip surgery.

Texans | Brian Cushing says he will be ready for season

Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing (knee) said he will definitely be ready for the start of the regular season and is pretty sure he will be ready for the start of training camp.

Texans | Brooks Reed is 100 percent

Houston Texans LB Brooks Reed (groin) said Sunday, May 19, that he is healthy for the beginning of the team's organized team activities (OTAs), and he said he is "100 percent." Reed said he has been running and lifting weights for the past three weeks and the groin hasn't given him any trouble.

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Broncos latest news and notes

Broncos | Peyton Manning has connection with Wes Welker

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning already feels like he has some chemistry with WR Wes Welker. "There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away," Manning said. "He's a guy that has a great feel for how to get open, and understands route concepts and, of course, he played in such a sophisticated offense there in New England, so he's a smart player." The Broncos used three-receiver sets 64 percent of the time last year, but expect that to increase dramatically as they look to create mismatches in the opposing defenses.

Broncos | Wes Welker doesn't expect to carry load

Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker knows that with WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the picture on his new team, he won't be catching as many passes like he did in his career with the New England Patriots. "If I have to catch 112 balls, that probably means we're in trouble," Welker said. During organized team activities Monday, May 20, QB Peyton Manning showed excellent chemistry with Thomas and Decker, but he also involved Welker some. Welker is on board with having a smaller workload, but Manning knows the benefit of adding Welker to the offense. "He's just been an extremely difficult guy to cover one-on-one, and then you can tell by watching him on film - he's an extremely smart player," Manning said. "He has an excellent feel for zone coverage. This is just the beginning stages of him getting comfortable in this offense, and he and I getting on the same page."

Broncos | Peyton Manning praises Charles Woodson

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning praised free-agent CB Charles Woodson, saying he would like to have him join the team. "We're always looking to add great players," Manning said. "That has been pretty evident since the time I've been here that management is always looking to add excellent football players through the draft or via free agency. I had a chance to visit with Charles when he was here last week and certainly, that'd be a great addition to our team. I know there is the business side of it that comes into play, but there's no question that any time you can add good football players at any position, I think that's always a good thing."

Broncos | Wes Welker making an impact

Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker is already making an impression on the Denver Broncos as he is trying to get on the same page with QB Peyton Manning. "Wes and I will continue to work and try to get on the same page," Manning told reporters on Monday. "I thought we had excellent production last year at the slot out of [WR] Brandon Stokley and adding Wes as a new player - we're looking forward to getting on the same page."

Broncos | Ronnie Hillman will be counted on

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning said RB Ronnie Hillman will be counted on to have an increased role in the offense this year, and offensive coordinator Adam Gase is expected to utilize him more in the game plan. Manning has high expectations for Hillman this season.

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Texans - Week 3 injury report

PROBABLE	OG Antoine Caldwell (ankle), LB Brooks Reed (hip), LB Brian Cushing (ribs), C Chris Myers (neck), CB Brice McCain (knee), DL Antonio D. Smith (ankle), OG Brandon Brooks (thumb), LB Bryan Braman (hamstring), DL Jesse Nading (knee), CB Johnathan Joseph (groin), LB Connor Barwin (elbow)
QUESTIONABLE	LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring)
PUP	LB Darryl Sharpton (hip)
INJURED RESERVE	OT Rashad Butler (triceps), PK Randy Bullock (groin), LB Keyaron Fox (knee)

Broncos - Week 3 injury report

PROBABLE	LB Von Miller (hip), TE Joel Dreessen (ribs), CB Chris X. Harris (ankle), WR Brandon Stokley (shoulder), CB Tracy Porter (neck), SS Quinton Carter (knee)
OUT	OG Chris Kuper (forearm)
INJURED RESERVE	DL Jeremy Beal (knee), RB Mario Fannin (Achilles'), OL Philip Blake (thumb), DL Ty Warren (triceps), WR D'Andre Goodwin (ankle), WR Tyler Grisham (knee), DL Jason Hunter (triceps)

Texans fantasy football leaders and statistics

Player Name	Pos	Fan Pts	PaYd	PaTD	Run	RuYd	RuTD	Rec	ReYd	ReTD
Foster, Arian	RB	300.00	0	0	405	1654	17	55	314	3
Schaub, Matt	QB	292.00	4613	24	26	-7	0	1	-6	0
Johnson, Andre	WR	193.00	0	0	0	0	0	124	1755	4
Daniels, Owen	TE	117.00	0	0	0	0	0	80	888	6
Walter, Kevin	WR	61.00	0	0	0	0	0	47	559	2
Graham, Garrett	TE	41.00	0	0	0	0	0	30	288	3
Forsett, Justin	RB	39.00	0	0	63	374	1	3	38	0
Tate, Ben	RB	38.00	0	0	67	280	2	11	49	0
Jean, Lestar	WR	19.00	0	0	0	0	0	6	151	1
Martin, Keshawn	WR	17.00	0	0	5	69	0	10	85	1
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Broncos fantasy football leaders and statistics

Player Name	Pos	Fan Pts	PaYd	PaTD	Run	RuYd	RuTD	Rec	ReYd	ReTD
Manning, Peyton	QB	377.00	4949	40	24	5	0	0	0	0
Thomas, Demaryius	WR	206.00	0	0	0	0	0	97	1471	11
Decker, Eric	WR	184.00	0	0	0	0	0	91	1148	13
McGahee, Willis	RB	114.00	0	0	167	731	4	26	221	0
Stokley, Brandon	WR	86.00	0	0	0	0	0	48	571	6
Moreno, Knowshon	RB	75.00	0	0	116	438	3	19	140	1
Tamme, Jacob	TE	64.00	0	0	0	0	0	55	599	2
Dreessen, Joel	TE	63.00	0	0	0	0	0	47	402	5
Hillman, Ronnie	RB	45.00	0	0	107	413	1	13	82	0
Ball, Lance	RB	29.00	0	0	42	158	1	7	61	1
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Texans depth chart

WR (Left)

WR (Right)

Broncos depth chart

QB	RB	FB	WR (Left)	WR (Right)	TE	PK
Peyton Manning	Willis McGahee	Jacob Hester	Demaryius Thomas	Wes Welker	Joel Dreessen	Matt Prater
Brock Osweiler	Knowshon Moreno	Mario Fannin	Tavarres King	Eric Decker	Jacob Tamme
Zac Dysert	Ronnie Hillman	Jeremiah Johnson	Gerell Robinson	Andre Caldwell	Virgil Green
	Montee Ball	C.J. Anderson		Trindon Holliday	Julius Thomas