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| Other Week 8 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL at NO | CAR at ARI | CLE at CHI | DEN at BAL | HOU at BUF | JAX at TEN | MIA at NYJ | MIN at GB |
| NYG at PHI | OAK at SD | SEA at DAL | SF at IND | STL at DET | |||
Week 8 Game Recap: Houston Texans 31, Buffalo Bills 10
Houston Texans
| QB Matt Schaub, Pass: 25 - 34 - 268 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 7 - 7 - 0 |
Schaub led a sputtering Houston offense on the teams first 4 drives (2 INT's, a fumble, and a punt). The INT's were a result of a tough Bills pass-rush and a tipped ball by Andre Johnson. Schaub did not really settle into any kind of groove until midway through the second quarter. He found his groove in large part thanks to the newfound ground game giving him extra time in the pocket. From that point forward, Schaub ran the offense efficiently up and down the field, and led the Texans on 6 straight scoring drives to finish the game. For the most part, Schaub chose to work on the Buffalo defense underneath the zone coverage looks he was faced with all game. Due to the emergence of Ryan Moats in the red zone Schaub did not tally a TD pass in week 8, however look for him to move forward with strong outings in the coming weeks. This was a rare balanced attack by the Houston offense.
| RB Ryan Moats, Rush: 23 - 126 - 3, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (3 targets) |
Ryan Moats burst on the scene in week 8 for the Houston Texans setting career highs in carries (23), yards (136), and TD's (3). He entered the game on the 1st drive and then became the every down back in week 8 after Steve Slaton was benched following his 5th fumble of the season. Moats turned in an extremely impressive effort in every facet of the game to say the least. He showed quick burst hitting the corners and strong vision and power hitting the holes all game long. In the red zone, Moats took complete charge running like a man who was attempting to seize a rare opportunity. In the past Moats has shown flashes of his potential, in week 8 the perfect storm came together. A porous running defense, plus a bunch of touches. Looking ahead, Moats will clearly be a Waiver Wire darling this week and it is warranted. However, it will be hard to imagine the Texans handing over the job to him. Expect a RBBC at least and more red zone looks for Moats.
| RB Chris Brown, Rush: 7 - 22 - 0, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets) |
Brown came in at different times throughout the game to spell Ryan Moats. In his limited touches Brown ran quite well, charging ahead and showing decent footwork. It was an effective game for Brown who needs to continue to show his worth if he is to keep a job in the Houston offense.
| RB Steve Slaton, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets) |
Slaton looks like a shell of the player who torched the NFL as a rookie last season. His low ypc and problems holding onto the ball have many talking as if he is headed towards Reggie Bush type duties soon. This week Slaton carried the ball once and caught two passes from Matt Schaub before heading to the bench as apparent punishment for another costly fumble (his 5th of the season). Slaton was not seen after the mishap, and gave way to the suddenly red hot Ryan Moats. One would think that Slaton's issues could pave the way for the emerging Moats in the coming weeks. That remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that Slaton is no longer a RB1 and has declining value as even a RB2 heading into next week with a RBBC completely possible in Houston.
| RB Vonta Leach, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (2 targets) |
Leach caught a couple of check down pass by Matt Schaub at the end of the 2nd quarter and start of the 3rd quarter. He was otherwise in his usual role serving as a strong lead blocker to the Texans RB's. He has almost no value to fantasy football owners.
| WR Andre Johnson, Rec: 6 - 63 - 0 (10 targets) |
Johnson suited up in week 8 despite suffering a lung contusion last week. He did not show any ill effects from the injury this week, however he had a tough time creating separation from Bills CB Drayton Florence who was draped all over him. AJ was targeted plenty of times by Matt Schaub and ended up being the leading receiver for the Texans in week 8. All in all Johnson put in a solid effort, but is due for bigger games in the near future. Johnson will be fine moving forward as an elite WR.
| WR Kevin Walter, Rush: 1 - 13 - 0, Rec: 4 - 29 - 0 (6 targets) |
Walter is currently in a stretch of games where his targets and catches are in decline. However you get the impression that it is just a matter of time until Walter has a break out game. In week 8 Walter was involved throughout the game but finished with a very pedestrian box score. It seems like the Texans are looking for ways to get him involved as he caught as screen pass, a shovel pass, and ran a reverse in this one. Walter could be in line for increased targets if TE Owen Daniels is lost for the season.
| WR David Anderson, Rec: 3 - 51 - 0 (3 targets) |
Lining up in his typical slot/WR3 position, Anderson provided his QB with another valuable weapon in the Texans passing game in week 8 (primarily on 3rd downs). Despite only seeing a handful of targets Anderson made the most of his chances, including a quick reception over the middle on a crossing route that he turned up the sideline for a 27 yd gain. Anderson continues to hang onto the #3 WR spot in the Houston offense, however Jacoby Jones looms.
| WR Jacoby Jones, Rush: 1 - 17 - 0, Rec: 1 - 36 - 0 (1 targets) |
Explosive as always, Jones touched the ball a few times on offense in week 8. He gained 17 yards on an end around and displayed tremendous speed while working out of the slot on a 37 yard reception. Jones is a beast right now in return formats, and he continues to show signs of being a potential breakout star if given the chance. Keep a watchful eye on this guy and roster him in deep dynasty leagues if you have the space.
| TE James Casey, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (3 targets) |
The player affectionately referred to as 'Thor' during his college days made his presence felt in week 8 with the Texans. Casey was called upon due to the knee injury to Owen Daniels. During the game Casey was targeted 3 times and reeled in 2 short gainers. He also threw a key block that sprung Ryan Moats free for a TD run early in the 4th quarter. Casey has a lot of upside and could start to realize that potential sooner rather than later. He is worth an add in deeper leagues and all dynasty leagues at this point.
| TE Owen Daniels, Rec: 1 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Daniels breakout campaign looks like it has come to a sudden end thanks to a severe injury to his right knee. Prior to sustaining the injury Daniels was involved in the offense gaining 22 yards on his lone catch. Keep an eye on reports regarding his injury as the week progresses, but it looks like he out for the season. Also, keep in mind that Daniels is not under contract for 2010 as of now.
Buffalo Bills
| QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Pass: 15 - 23 - 117 - 0 TD / 2 INT |
Fitzpatrick put in another below average performance for the mundane offense of the Bills. In reality you get the impression that most anyone would struggle behind the Buffalo O-line and the vanilla play-calling. He was rarely allowed to throw downfield, and when he did he turned the ball over. His 2nd INT looked like it came on a communication breakdown with Terrell Owens when Fitzpatrick threw a deep out pass into no man's land. Overall Fitzpatrick hasn't been good enough to warrant an extended look, and appears to be headed back to the bench for Trent Edwards following the teams bye week.
| RB Marshawn Lynch, Rush: 9 - 43 - 0, Rec: 3 - 6 - 0 (5 targets) |
For stretches in week 8 Lynch looked as good as he has all season running hard and bouncing off tacklers. The takeaway though is that Lynch is working his tail off for every yard he gains, nothing is coming easy. He was able to break off his longest run of the season (14 yards) during this game. He finished the game with just 49 total yards on 12 touches. Lynch needs more touches if he is to be utilized correctly. Lynch is a viable RB2, but needs some O-Line help if he is going to have a breakout effort.
| RB Fred Jackson, Rush: 9 - 28 - 0 (1 targets) |
Jackson hasn't been the same since Marshawn Lynch returned from his suspension. In week 8, Jackson spelled Lynch on the games 3rd series. He showed good patience and vision, but continues to find very little running room behind the Bills O-line. In the 2nd quarter, Jackson lined up in the Bills version of the wildcat taking a couple of direct snaps for a short gain and a handoff to Lynch. He's worth a bench spot at best right now.
| WR Terrell Owens, Rush: 1 - 29 - 1, Rec: 5 - 39 - 0 (8 targets) |
Sound the sirens, there was a TO sighting in week 8. With the Bills offense struggling through the air week to week, Owens was able to showcase his world-class athleticism breaking loose and scoring on a 29yd end around in the 1st quarter. It was one of the rare times this year that Owens was able to get behind a defense with a football in his hands. Later in the game Owens was targeted in the corner of the end zone on a timing route, but was well guarded by the Texas DB Jacques Reeves. The majority of his targets and receptions came in garbage time late in the game when the Texans defense left the short stuff over the middle open. Owens could see a small rise in value after the bye week if Trent Edwards returns from his injury; otherwise he is a sketchy option.
| WR Josh Reed, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (4 targets) |
Reed made the most of his chances in week 8 catching a few 3rd down passes for short gains. He has limited upside to fantasy owners, but is a solid NFL player who does all that is asked of him and rarely makes mistakes.
| WR Lee Evans, Rec: 2 - 29 - 0 (2 targets) |
Evans was coming off two straight very good fantasy efforts but put up a dud in week 8. Evans was simply not involved enough from the get go to do much of anything. He was targeted a season low two times in the Bills loss, one of which came in the red zone. Evans is a prime buy low option in dynasty formats but is a tough guy to start right now playing in this offense.
| WR Steve Johnson, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets) |
Johnson was able to get on the stat sheet for the first time this season, grabbing a short 5yd catch on his only target. Johnson is an intriguing prospect who holds some upside for dynasty leaguers heading into next season.
| TE Derek Fine, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (2 targets) |
Fine caught one of his two targets for nine yards in week 8. He is not an option in the deepest of leagues at this point.