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The Week 5 matchup between the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings features two teams that pride themselves on strong defensive play. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Houston Texans
Houston was able to overcome the loss of J.J. Watt and top the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. A big reason for the win was rookie wide receiver Will Fuller. Fuller caught seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. He also returned a punt 67 yards for another score. He’s a fantastic, explosive compliment to teammate DeAndre Hopkins. A road game in Minnesota is going to be a tall task, but Fuller may benefit while most of Minnesota’s attention is on Hopkins.
That’s the way it should be. After all, Hopkins has been a reception machine over the last two years. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, he’s been locked down by defenses the last couple of weeks. Hopkins has just five catches for 60 yards in the last two games combined. Minnesota has done a great job blanketing top receivers so far this year. A betting man might guess Fuller is more likely to surpass his projected totals in Week 5. Only time will tell.
Minnesota Vikings
Few experts predicted the Minnesota Vikings would be a Super Bowl contender in 2016. Four weeks into the season with Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson on the sidelines no less, the Vikings are proving they belong. Running back Jerick McKinnon did a great job filling in for Peterson last week. He totaled 95 yards on 21 touches and scored a rushing touchdown against the New York Giants. Teammate Matt Asiata will steal touches in goal line scenarios, but McKinnon should finish with more yards and more fantasy points in Week 5.
If the running game struggles in the red zone, tight end Kyle Rudolph will be the main target quarterback Sam Bradford looks for in the end zone. Rudolph has a touchdown in three straight games. He’s also getting targeted consistently down the middle. He’s long been highly touted for his talent and it appears he is only now realizing it. Rudolph should be in starting lineups in any fantasy format right now. He’s been a great security blanket for the Vikings, and he is scoring consistently. What more can one ask of a tight end?