Fantasy football advice, Week 6: who to start/sit for Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

Whether it’s injuries, bye weeks, or a hot waiver wire claim that muddles fantasy lineups, the factors which fantasy owners have to consider before hitting the submit button are always present and rarely uncomplicated. There’s only one way to combat this, and that’s parsing each game, one at a time. Here’s what needs to be considered when the Indianapolis Colts take on the Houston Texans:

Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton have produced big-time results this season, with the two hooking up for a touchdown in three straight games, and posting at least 171 yards in two of their last three. They face the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense in Week 6, but are still worthy of starting consideration despite the poor matchup.

Frank Gore could be in line for a bigger role with the Texans displaying proficiency in defending the pass, but they can’t boast the same when it comes to defending the run. The Texans’ seven rushing touchdowns allowed is the third-most in the NFL, and they average the eighth-highest rushing yardage total allowed per game. Gore is long past the days of lighting up a fantasy scoreboard, but he has a high floor for Week 6 and is firmly in RB2 territory.

To imagine the Colts seeing many fantasy points throughout the lineup against a capable Texans defense would be bold to project. Phillip Dorsett, Dwayne Allen, and Jack Doyle can be kept away from lineups.

Lamar Miller hasn’t given owners what they wanted in terms of fantasy points, but his volume can’t be complained about. Miller is averaging 23 touches per game, and despite averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, he remains a RB1 against a Colts defense that is surrendering the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

As long as Brock Osweiler’s erratic play at quarterback continues, it will be difficult to envision both DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller putting up big fantasy numbers in the same game. Hopkins salvaged a dismal output with a touchdown in Week 5 against the Vikings, while Fuller was held to four yards on one catch. The prior week against the Titans, Fuller posted a 7-81-0 line while Hopkins posted the same terrible output Fuller had on Sunday. With Vontae Davis not expected to shadow Hopkins, he can be considered a WR2, while Fuller remains a high-upside flex.

Osweiler and his tight ends Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz do not warrant fantasy consideration for Week 6 and beyond.