The 2012 versions of the Houston Texans and the Washington NFL team combined to win 22 games and play in three playoff games. In 2013, those teams fell to a combined five wins and two last-place finishes.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: Washington vs. Texans
Not many teams were most disappointing in 2013 than this tandem, which kick off their seasons against one another Sunday.
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Houston and Washington start their season at 1 p.m. ET Sunday in Houston, both hoping to bounce back to respectability. The game comes with what could be a lot of fantasy performers, as well:
Washington
Start in every league: Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed
Start if you're desperate: Robert Griffin III
Bench: Andre Roberts, Kai Forbath, Defense/special teams
He isn’t flashy, but Morris has been productive and consistent throughout his career. No one will be impressed by him, but even against a stout defense, he’s a fine play. ... How usage shakes out between Jackson and Garcon will be one of the things to watch early in the season, but both right now look like low-end WR2s or high-end flex plays. ... In 16 weeks of his rookie season, Reed was on the injury list (or out) nine times. He has to prove his health for long-term investment. But as long as he’s healthy, all signs point to use.
It wasn’t an inspiring preseason for Griffin, but we all know what he can do. He’s just outside my top-10 quarterbacks for Week 1, so he’s a usable start, but he isn’t an exciting one.
I have to wonder if Roberts still would have signed with Washington had he known Jackson was coming, but as it is he’s not fantasy viable. ... Washington never got enough going to put Forbath into a situation to succeed last year, and it might be more of the same here. ... No, don’t use the Washington defense. Don’t.
Texans
Start in every league: Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Defense/special teams
Start if you're desperate: Ryan Fitzpatrick, DeAndre Hopkins, Randy Bullock
Bench: Garrett Graham
It will be interesting to see how Foster returns to action after his injuries from a year ago, but if you have him, you burned a high pick on him, and you pretty much have to use him. ... This is a nice matchup for the veteran Johnson, whom I rank as my No. 6 wide receiver. ... Little seems more exciting than watching Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt working together in the Texans' defense.
Fitzpatrick has those occasional big games in his back pocket, and this seems like a chance for one of those. He’s miles from a sure thing, but there is potential. ... Hopkins is on the rise this season; I slot him as a low-end flex play. ... If the team scores as many points as it could this week against that defense, Bullock could have a lot going on.
Graham is going to lead the way among the Houston tight ends, but he wasn’t very inspiring a year ago. He’s a stay-away.
