Houston Texans

Fantasy Football Week 3: Texans at Patriots Reactions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Week 3 kicked off on Thursday as the New England Patriots defended home turf versus the Houston Texans. What are the major fantasy football reactions?

The New England Patriots, down to their third string quarterback, pulled through in unified fashion to defeat a then undefeated and extremely explosive Houston Texans team. Rookie Jacoby Brissett didn’t exactly play like Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo, but did enough to move the offense while not turning the ball over. Neither here or there does that matter to this article, we are here for own greed and self-worth to our fantasy football teams!

Garbage points and all, we aren’t picky. Let’s check out who exactly excelled and deflated fantasy lineups in Thursday night’s game.

Here are the fantasy football reactions to Thursday Night Football in Week 3.

The Good

Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount (24 carries 105 yards, 2 TDs) – I get it. You had him, I had him, we all in some sort of league have had the lumbering 29-year-old running back. Fact is, most of us kept him on the bench in favor of someone like Lamar Miller. Of course you have to play a first or second round pick. There’s too much stock invested—and who knew the Patriots were going to perform like they did? Before Tom Brady hogs all the fantasy currency in a few weeks, maybe try to cash in on Blount next week.

Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett (11-19, 103 yards, 48 Rush yards, 1 TD) – It wasn’t exactly a performance that’ll earn your fantasy team a victory, but a solid outing nonetheless from the rookie signal-caller. Zero turnovers, some rushing yards along with a rushing touchdown, and over 100 yards passing. That’s light years better than I thought it’d be. Props to Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniel getting this kid a game plan he could be successful in. They won the game and are sitting pretty just awaiting their star to make his return.

Patriots Defense (0 Points Allowed, 2 Sacks, 3 Turnovers) – Three turnovers and two sacks, all while pitching a shut out; all the defense needed was a touchdown to really carry your fantasy football team over the top. Osweiler and the Texans offense maybe were in Patriots territory twice all game. DeAndre Hopkins and Lamar Miller were practically a non factor. Meanwhile, the Houston offense in general just looked atrocious. Credit goes to the Pats’ defense; they earned it.

The Ehh…

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (4 receptions, 56 yards) – Even though the Patriots defense locked down the Texans offense, Hopkins still had some highlight moments along the sidelines. His production wasn’t on par with what you’d expect. You just have to hope this doesn’t become a trend.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (26 touches, 111 yards) – The volume is there, the explosiveness just isn’t from Miller. In Miami, if Miller had this many touches, it would almost be a guarantee that he’d put up monster numbers. Something is just not clicking in Houston thus far. It could be from a makeshift offensive line or uncertainty on his end. Fact of the matter is that Miller just isn’t cutting it, but highly doubt any of his owners can afford to trade and/or cut someone like Lamar.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman (7 touches, 52 yards) – Not many of us were expecting a highlight reel type of night from the Patriots wide receivers with the rookie running the show. However, it was nice to see that at least one wide receiver who didn’t put up a dud performance. With no Gronk (sort of), Edelman became that safe throw in the slot from Brissett, while also being involved in a few misdirection plays in the backfield. He’ll be more fantasy relevant once Brady returns, but don’t expect much if Brissett starts again next week.

The Bad

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (0 receptions, 0 yards) – How much did he play? Like a drive? All I know is that Gronkowski’s NFL debut didn’t last long at all. It’s very unfortunate for owners of the best tight end in the game that started him that wound up with a big zero, though it was a really large boom or bust play. Hopefully in the coming weeks, Gronk gives his owners a reason to smile after three weeks of nothing.

Texans WR Will Fuller (3 receptions, 31 yards) – The drops just keeping getting uglier from the Houston Texans first round pick. It was the story coming out of Notre Dame that Fuller had a case of the butterfingers, yet is one of the most explosive players on the field. After two back-to-back games of 100+ yards to start his career, that streak abruptly comes to a halt. But the feeling is that the rookie will bounce back.