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The Week 4 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans features a divisional rivalry that will be missing J.J. Watt for the first time ever. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota got swallowed up by the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. He completed 17 passes for 214 yards while being held out of the end zone and throwing two interceptions. The Raiders do have a pretty good secondary unit, but it’s still not as good as the overall defense of the Houston Texans. For that reason, Mariota may be worth sitting in Week 4. Houston currently holds the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense. Even without having to face an injured J.J. Watt, Mariota might have a tough time finding his receivers down the field on Sunday.
That means running back DeMarco Murray will likely be the best Titans option in this game for fantasy owners. Murray has been solid in PPR formats this year and notched his first 100-yard rushing game of the season in Week 3. His career took a disastrous turn while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles last year, but it seems Murray has rediscovered his comfort zone in Tennessee. New England’s LeGarrette Blount ran all over the Texans in Week 3. With Watt watching from the sidelines, Murray could do the same in Week 4.
Houston Texans
A date with the Patriots’ third-string quarterback in Week 3 didn’t stop the Texans from getting sent home with their tail between their legs. They failed to score any points and looked miserable in special teams play. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins still showed up with some impressive catches, but quarterback Brock Osweiler was too inconsistent to help out his receivers. As a result, Hopkins finished with just four catches for 56 yards in New England. He should be back in top form against the Titans as long as Osweiler can do his job and find the open man.
Running back Lamar Miller should also fare better in Week 4. His rushing yardages have been in the 80- to 90-yard range in the last two weeks. Week 3 against the Patriots wasn’t his fault. The Texans were forced to rely on the passing game early and often. Throughout Week 4, Miller should be a more consistent part of the offense. He’s long overdue for his first touchdown of the season and as long as Hopkins, Osweiler, and the rest of the Texans can do their jobs in the passing game, the running lanes should be open for Miller.