Houston Texans

Fantasy Football: Five Kansas City Chiefs To Play Vs Houston Texans

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

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Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher – Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs had a big Fantasy Football day in Week 1. Will they carry that success over into Week 2 against the Houston Texans?

Fantasy Football is in full swing, and the Kansas City Chiefs delivered early with a pair of top performers. Quarterback Alex Smith was the third highest scoring quarterback on Sunday, behind only Andrew Luck and Drew Brees. Meanwhile, running back Spencer Ware stole the show as the top performing running back in the NFL. Now the Chiefs turn their attention to the Houston Texans.

The Texans are a familiar opponent for the Chiefs. In 2015, Kansas City flat out owned Houston as the Chiefs won both of their match ups. The two teams first squared off in Week 1 of the 2015 season, and the Chiefs walked away with a 27-20 win. That game was not as close as the score. It got even worse in the playoffs as the Chiefs crushed the Texans 30-0. That game was capped with a perfectly timed picture of Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher putting the screws to JJ Watt.

Obviously a lot can change in a year. However, I don’t see a lot that makes me think the Chiefs won’t be able to match the 2015 offensive performances. The Chiefs offense is more dynamic this year, and I don’t see any substantial changes to the Texans defense.

There are a number of quality plays in Fantasy Football this week for the Chiefs. The biggest issue I see is that enough guys may have good games to prevent anyone from having a great one. However, I wouldn’t worry about that too much. There are a couple of players who are primed for big performances this week, and I’ll help you find which ones to go with.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley. Fantasy Football. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Conley – Wide Receiver

Projection: 4 Catches for 65 yards and 1 TD

Chris Conley didn’t have a big Fantasy Football performance in Week 1. However, he did have a solid day for the Kansas City Chiefs. The second year wide receiver showed some of the talent and speed that has fans excited about him. Conley caught 4 passes for 43 yards. I don’t expect him to have a ton more yards, but a touchdown grab is not unlikely.

The key here is that the Texans secondary will have its hands full with Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce. That should allow Conley to get some favorable looks, especially on deep balls where the Free Safety won’t be available to help.

Fantasy owners in larger leagues should really consider playing Conley as he could push them over the top. However, if you are in a 10 team (or smaller) league, or playing DFS, I would advise you to stay away. Conley should have a strong day, but not the kind that will put you over in a match up where you have more options available.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Fantasy Football. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Maclin – Wide Receiver

Projection: 6 Catches for 80 yards and 1 TD

Jeremy Maclin owners in Fantasy Football, be advised…the Smith-Maclin connection is real. After grabbing the first two passes of the game, Maclin sort of disappeared against the Chargers. That is until he caught a bullet pass on his back shoulder for a touchdown late in the game. That kind of throw shows trust and understanding between quarterback and receiver.

Maclin didn’t put up huge performances against the Texans in 2015. However, the first game of the season was also Maclin’s first in Kansas City. Then in the Wild Card game, the Chiefs were simply rolling the Texans up and not passing much. I expect that to change this time around as the Texans look like they can put up more of a fight on offense.

Jeremy Maclin is a great third receiver to have in your season long leagues or on DFS. There is still a lot to be seen as far as making him a weekly starter, but don’t be afraid to make that move. He can provide great value on DFS sites where his cost shouldn’t be too high yet.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware. Fantasy Football. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Spencer Ware – Running Back

Projection: 15 Carries for 75 yards and 1 TD; 4 Catches for 25 yards

Last week, I told you that Spencer Ware was the must have Fantasy Football running back. Ware would go on to have a huge day for the Kansas City Chiefs and fantasy owners alike with 129 yards receiving and 70 yards rushing, along with a touchdown. He won’t get those huge numbers this week, but expect another strong day from the bruiser.

The Texans are missing Brian Cushing this week, and it is going to hurt. Ware had a solid outing against Houston in the Wild Card game last year where he racked up 67 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries With the Texans missing their top inside linebacker, Ware should be able to duplicate that, if not build on it.

#Chiefs could give Jamaal Charles, recovering from ACL surgery, another week, per source. He’s least healthy of 4 RB, esp Spencer Ware

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) September 13, 2016

Spencer Ware remains a solid DFS play as he can put up solid points at a low cost. Ware is also a top handcuff running back for season leagues, so be sure to have him on your roster. Savvy owners should make sure they are totally familiar with Ware and his fantasy value. He could help make or break you season.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. Fantasy Football. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Alex Smith – Quarterback

Projection: 28/37 for 310 yards and 3 TDs; 5 Carries for 40 yards

Ok, I will openly admit that I missed the mark on Alex Smith last week. Smith ended up being the third highest scoring Fantasy Football quarterback in the NFL. The veteran signal caller went off on the Chargers in the 2nd half, throwing a pair of touchdowns and running for another. On top of that, he threw for 363 yards. Not a bad day at the office.

Alex Smith didn’t throw a ton against the Texans in 2015, but he was efficient and effective. In Week 1, Smith threw for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t have the same kind of showing in the Wild Card game, but that was largely due to the Chiefs dominant performance overall. The real kicker here is that Smith looked like a totally different quarterback last week, and fantasy owners should jump on that.

In most leagues, Alex Smith should be a hot commodity this week…and rightfully so. Smith has been known as a “game manager” for a long time, but he looked like anything but against the Chargers. However, there is a chance he will revert to his old ways this week, so be wary. I’m going to go ahead and say that Smith is worth picking up in your season leagues, and is a quality DFS investment this week.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Fantasy Football. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce – Tight End

Projection: 10 Catches for 100+ yards and 1 TD

Don’t be caught off guard when Travis Kelce is the top Fantasy Football tight end this week. The Pro Bowler feasted against the Texans in 2015, and should do so again this year. The Texans will be without starting ILB Brian Cushing, and are very suspect at the safety position. Kelce should have a big day down the middle of the field.

Travis Kelce only had two 100 yard receiving games in 2015, and both came against the Texans. This could very well be his biggest week of the season, so do not miss the boat. In Week 1 of 2015, Kelce had 6 catches for 106 yards and 2 TDs. In the AFC Wild Card game, he went for 128 yards on 8 receptions.

The Chiefs tight end is a solid play in both your season and DFS leagues. There is a good chance that Travis Kelce will also be among the top scoring tight ends all season, so keep him close. Kansas City has added some more weapons to its offense to help keep the focus away from Kelce, and his Fantasy Football owners will be huge beneficiaries of that.

Kansas City Chiefs defense. Fantasy Football. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Who To Sit

Jamaal Charles – Running Back

It seems that the Kansas City Chiefs are in no hurry to get Jamaal Charles back onto the field. That might be killing your Fantasy Football team right now, but it is the smart move. The Chiefs want to get maximum value out of Charles, and he needs to be healthy for that to happen. In the meantime, the Chiefs have no shortage of talented running backs to use in his place.

Chiefs Defense/Special Teams

I do not believe that what we saw from the Chiefs defense is what this unit will be when it is all said and done. However, it does appear that they still have some kinks to work out. So I am advising you to keep them on the back burner until all the issues are ironed out. The Chiefs defense came alive in the 2nd half against the Chargers, so I don’t think they are far from being ready to go.

Cairo Santos – Kicker

The Chiefs kicker didn’t get a ton of Fantasy Football points last week, but he was solid. That is good news moving forward, but I don’t like him for this week. I think the Chiefs are going to be finding the endzone, and that limits the value on Cairo Santos. It is very possible that I am wrong on this one, but I won’t lose sleep on it. If he is your kicker in a season league, don’t worry about making the change unless you have another kicker on your roster.

I am expecting a bit of a high scoring affair this week. The Chiefs offense looks like it has come together and is going to be exceptionally dangerous. That puts a lot of pieces into play for Fantasy Football owners. On the other end, the defense seems like it has some work to do yet, so be careful when you use them.