Texans fly across the pond to face the Jaguars at their second home in The Square Mile, looking to dig deep for a win that could very well keep this season alive. And what’s that? A new Maserati in the Texans’ garage? Fancy …
Jaguars vs. Texans Matchup Breakdown For Fantasy Football Week 6 (London)Houston Texans Fantasy Preview For Week 6
Mid-October’s generally a bit early for panic and must-win scenarios. Well, tell that to the Texans, who began the season with dark horse hopes for a Super Bowl, only to drop four straight out of the gate. C.J. Stroud earned well-deserved criticism last year for such a disappointing sophomore campaign — though firmly in the process of putting my concerns to sleep with the way he’s playing in 2026. Currently the QB8, Stroud’s 3rd in passing yards and sits less than 3 fantasy points behind Dak Prescott, the QB5. To me, it’s all a matter of whether or not Nico Collins suits up. Stroud finished as a QB1 in all three weeks Collins played, and not even close without him.
Much to the consternation of boomer touts everywhere, I’m going to assert Collins, yes, a non-QB, is the most critical piece to Houston’s puzzle. The Texans average 29.0 PPG and 5.9 yards/play with Nico, compared to 11.5 PPG and 4.6 yards/play without. How’s that for important? His ability to threaten every single blade of grass vertically not only changes opposing defensive schematics, but pushes the rest of HOU’s pass-catchers into more fitting, optimal roles.
Speaking of which, sound the alarms! Jaylin Noel finally earned an equal share of the secondary role and made the most of it (5-41-1). The second-year, third-rounder out of Iowa State worked primarily out of the slot as Stroud’s preferred target against the zone. Could be the beginning of a beautiful fantasy friendship…
Yes, I know Houston traded for Marvin Harrison Jr., but to me at least, that’s to fill an entirely different role on the outside. Expect Kayshon Boutte to see fewer snaps and/or Xavier Hutchinson to disappear altogether. There’s a world where Houston gives in to throwing a ton more than initially thought, just to keep up with the Joneses — and it’s with all their best players on the field. Novel concept, I know …
Houston’s going to need to throw to win anyway. Jacksonville’s a top-3 run-stopping unit (0.22 EPA/attempt, 70.8% success, 2.9 yards/rush), while these Texans have yet to prove anything on the ground (3.4 yards/rush, 2.15 yards after contact/carry, 41.0% success, 0 +20-yard runs). I’d say ignore the situation altogether, except David Montgomery’s going to miss at least a few weeks, immediately vaulting Woody Marks into a front-end RB2 situation on volume alone. Deepest leaguers should scoop Dare Ogunbowale since he’s literally the only other HOU tailback to see the field in 2026.
Start: RB Woody Marks (RB22), WR Nico Collins (WR8)Sit: QB C.J. Stroud (QB15), TE Dalton Schultz (TE17)Sleeper: WR Jaylin Noel (WR63)Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Preview For Week 6
Hey, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Jacksonville escaped the early London game by the grace of a single second placed back on the clock by referees twice in one contest — but that’s all in the past. Now JAX gets the benefit of not having to travel against a borderline desperate Texans’ squad, attempting to save their season from the ruins.
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