Texans vs. Patriots: Fantasy football projections featuring Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels and Stevan Ridley

The New England Patriots host the Hosuton Texans in a potential AFC title game preview. As big as this is for NFL playoff positioning, it is an even bigger deal for fantasy football. Most fantasy playoffs have started, and Monday Night Football will feature some of the top scoring options of the weekend. Several are obvious starts, but to help you try and wrap up a playoff win, or playoff berth depending on your league set-up, we've got player projections courtesy of numberFire.

Houston Texans

The Texans are as healthy as can be expected and facing a Patriots defense that can be rather inconsistent. Football Outsiders ranks the Patriots seventh against the run and 22nd against the pass. Of course, Arian Foster is no ordinary running back.

The Texans passing attack is really built around three weapons. Matt Schaub will be directing most of his passes to Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Arian Foster. While the Texans do have other options, none are exactly the most viable of fantasy weapons. It remains their triplets at the skill posiitons.

The Patriots face their biggest challenge of the season against a strong Texans defense. The Patriots are dealing with a host of injuries as Rob Gronkowski is out for at least another couple weeks, and Julian Edelman is done for the year. That does not help the Patriots passing attack, but it does bode well for those of you starting Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker. I'd say Brandon Lloyd as well, but his performances have become wildly unpredictable.

The rushing attack once again centers around Stevan Ridley. Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead will get some touches, but Ridley is the back that will have to break down the tough Texans run D.