Dynasty Recap – Week 17 – Titans outlast Texans, 16-10

Titans running back Chris Johnson ran for 127 yards on 27 carries, for a 4.7 YPC, and a touchdown. While Johnson did run for 1,000 yards on the year, he’s still a low-end RB2 dynasty prospect (at best) and could even be playing somewhere else next year. A less run-conducive team would drop Johnson to RB3 status.
Titans receiver Kendall Wright had five catches for 50 yards to end 2013 with 90+ catches and 1,000 yards. It’s an impressive feat in Tennessee’s run-heavy offense in addition to poor quarterback play. Should the Titans move on from Jake Locker, Wright’s dynasty prospects will improve.
Texans end J.J. Watt had another sack and nine tackles to finish with 10.5 sacks and an impressive (for a lineman) 80 tackles. It wouldn’t hurt to inquire about Watt’s availability in your dynasty leagues to see if current Watt owners are ready to let go.

Dynasty Recap – Week 16 Recap – Broncos destroy Texans, 37-13

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had a great day with 400 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. No words.
Broncos receiver Eric Decker went off with 10 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. So did Demaryius Thomas with eight catches for 123 yards and another touchdown. They probably won a few teams some championships.
Texans rookie tight end Ryan Griffin had five more catches for 66 yards as the starter. Griffin is an interesting asset in dynasty leagues as Houston will look to re-build next year and Griffin’s youth and cheap contract will look attractive.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck had another uneven day, going 19 of 32 for only 180 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. While Luck has cut down on the turnovers, he’s not exactly lighting the world on fire. If anything, it might be time to buy-low.
Texans running back Ben Tate had a decent day gaining 72 yards on 16 carries for a 4.5 YPC. He added three catches for 20 yards. Houston fell behind early which eliminated the running game. Tate should sign somewhere else next year where he’ll finally have the opportunity to carry the load.
With Colts incumbent running back Donald Brown got injured, Trent Richardson was forced back in. He had 64 carries on 19 carries for a very Trent Richardson-esque 3.4 YPC. He did add 38 yards on four catches but Richardson is what he is.
Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton busted out (a little) with eight catches for 78 yards on 12 targets. The talk before the game was of Da’Rick Rogers but all Rogers did was open up the secondary for Hilton. Hilton is the long-term solution.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum was a disaster, going 16 of 29 for 159 yards, a touchdown and an interception. It’s safe to say Houston will not roll with Keenum at quarterback in 2014.
Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew looked like his old, explosive self, going for 103 yards rushing on 14 carries including a vintage 48-yard run. He also added two catches for 20 yards. Jones-Drew is a free agent next year and won’t come close to his old self but could be a great change-of-pace back for his next team.
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson proved, yet again, that he’s quarterback-proof, hauling in 13 catches for 154 yards. Now, Johnson is also the only reliable receiving threat on a bad team and his value could change if he changes teams. But he’s about as reliable as it gets.
Jaguars rookie safety Johnathan Cyprien had 11 tackles for his second straight double-digit tackle game. He’s up to 89 for the year and will easily pass 100. Cyprien is a good, young player on a young team that will only get younger. Keep an eye out.

The Patriots running game appears to include Shane Vereen running the ball in addition to catching passes. With Stevan Ridley benched, the Patriots will need to fill the void in the running game. Vereen rushed 10 times for 38 yards along with five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. For all intents and purposes, Vereen is the running back to own in New England.
On the other side of the field, Texans running back Ben Tate ran for 102 yards for 22 yards and three touchdowns. There was no time share with backup Dennis Johnson and it put Tate back on track to be the starter somewhere else in 2014.
Patriots slot receiver Julian Edelman tied for the team lead with 12 targets for nine catches and 101 yards. You have to wonder if New England would want to bring Edelman back next year or roll with Danny Amendola. Edelman has been the preferred receiver the last couple weeks and is on pace for 90+ catches and 900+ yards.
Texans receiver Andre Johnson went off, again, for eight catches and 121 yards on nine targets. Johnson is quarterback- and team-proof so no matter where he plays next year, he’s still a strong WR in dynasty circles.