The Texans Wall: Avoiding the NFL's Best Defense Over the Next Month

Week 13-16 Strategy Guide for Salary Cap Sports

If you've been watching the NFL this season you know the Houston Texans defense isn't just good, it's amazing. Through Week 12, they're allowing a league-best 264.3 total yards per game and just 16.3 points per game. They're first in EPA per play allowed and boast the NFL's best pass defense, surrendering only 5.45 yards per pass attempt. With elite edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. (29% pass-rush win rate, leading the NFL) and Danielle Hunter forming a devastating duo, the Texans have become a nightmare matchup for opposing offenses.

Over the next four weeks (Weeks 13-16), there are unfortunate teams that will be running into this buzzsaw. Let's break down which players you should exchange and who offers better value. NOTE: As always, injuries will play a part. The content here is reflective of matchups based on current health, and also players that may be back and playing by the time of their scheduled game against Houston.

Week 13: Indianapolis Colts @ Houston (Sunday, Nov. 30)

The Matchup

The Colts travel to NRG Stadium for an AFC South divisional clash. The Texans' defense has been particularly dominant at home, and divisional games bring extra intensity. With Houston coming off a statement win against Buffalo where they recorded 8 sacks, and held perennial MVP candidate Josh Allen in check, the momentum is squarely in their favor.

Players to Avoid

QB Daniel Jones

Jones has taken over as the Colts' starting quarterback, but facing the Texans' elite pass rush in his early tenure with Indianapolis is a nightmare scenario. The Texans' disciplined defense and relentless pressure from Anderson and Hunter will test Jones constantly. Expect heavy pressure, limited time to throw, and a difficult day for the new Colts signal-caller.

WR Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittman relies on volume, but with Richardson under constant duress and Houston's secondary clamping down (best pass defense in the NFL), his targets will be contested and difficult to convert. The Texans allow the fewest passing yards in the league for a reason.

RB Jonathan Taylor

While Taylor is a workhorse back, Houston's front seven has been stout against the run. The Colts will likely be playing from behind, limiting Taylor's opportunities in the second half. Game script and defensive strength make this a fade spot.

Better Replacements

Instead of Jones: choose QBs facing softer defenses like Derek Carr vs. Giants (Week 13) or Baker Mayfield vs. Panthers (Week 13). Both face bottom-10 pass defenses and offer much safer floors in favorable matchups.

Instead of Pittman: Target WRs in better matchups like Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Cardinals, or George Pickens vs. Bengals, which face defenses that allow significantly more passing yards.

Instead of Taylor: Pivot to RBs with clearer paths to volume and success: Bijan Robinson vs. Panthers, or Rachaad White vs. Panthers. They face defenses ranked in the bottom half against the run and should see positive game scripts.

Week 14: Houston @ Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Dec. 7 - SNF)

The Matchup

While we're focused on teams facing Houston, it's worth noting the Chiefs get a tough draw here. Kansas City's offense has struggled at times this season and facing the league's best defense on Sunday Night Football creates a difficult environment.

Players to Consider Carefully

QB Patrick Mahomes

Even Mahomes isn't immune to elite defenses. The Texans' pass rush could disrupt his rhythm, and Houston's secondary has been excellent all season. While you may not be able to can't fully dump Mahomes in SCS (depending on your trades available), be prepared for his value to potentially dip if he posts a pedestrian stat line.

WR Rashee Rice / WR Xavier Worthy

Rice has emerged as one of Mahomes' top targets this season, but facing Houston's secondary makes this a particularly risky week. Worthy's speed threat could be neutralized by the Texans' disciplined coverage. With limited downfield opportunities against tight coverage and constant pressure on Mahomes, both receivers face tough sledding.

TE Travis Kelce

Kelce remains the safest Chiefs weapon against Houston, as tight ends have historically been the weak point when facing elite defenses (working underneath zones). Still, expect a lower ceiling than usual.

Better Replacements

Instead of deep Chiefs investments: Consider spreading your salary across multiple games. QBs like Jared Goff vs. Bears or Josh Allen vs. Bengals offer safer floors. For receivers, target the Eagles-Panthers or Rams-49ers games where offenses should move the ball more freely.

Week 15: Arizona Cardinals @ Houston (Sunday, Dec. 14)

The Matchup

The Cardinals come to Houston in what many analysts consider the Texans easiest stretch.Arizona's offense will still struggle mightily against this defense. The Cardinals have shown flashes but remain inconsistent, and this matchup amplifies their weaknesses.

Players to Avoid

QB Kyler Murray

Murray's mobility gives him a baseline, but Houston's defense is designed to contain scrambling quarterbacks. The Texans' disciplined linebacker play and edge containment have neutralized mobile QBs all season. Expect a frustrating day for Murray.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

The rookie sensation has been Arizona's brightest spot, but elite cornerback play can neutralize him. Houston's pass defense ranks first in the league, and they'll likely shadow Harrison with their top corner. The Texans allow just 5.45 yards per pass attempt—bad news for any receiver.

TE Trey McBride

McBride has been a PPR monster, but the Texans have been solid against tight ends, and Murray won't have time to work through progressions with Houston's pass rush in his face. With James Conner out for the season, the Cardinals' offense becomes even more one-dimensional, making McBride easier to game plan against.

Better Replacements

Instead of Murray: Target quarterbacks with better matchups like Bo Nix vs. Chargers, Justin Herbert @ Broncos, or Matthew Stafford vs. Bills. All three face defenses more susceptible to passing attacks.

Instead of Harrison Jr.: Pivot to receivers in plus matchups: Puka Nacua vs. Bills, Nico Collins vs. Cardinals (yes, take the Texans receiver!), or CeeDee Lamb vs. Panthers. These players face weaker secondaries with better game environments.

Instead of McBride: Consider tight ends facing exploitable defenses like Sam LaPorta vs. Bears, Dalton Kincaid @ Rams, or Dallas Goedert vs. Steelers.

Week 16: Las Vegas Raiders @ Houston (Saturday, Dec. 21)

The Matchup

The Raiders offense has been abysmal this season, and now they face the NFL's best defense. With the Raiders having recently fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, their offense is in flux. This is the single worst matchup of this entire four-week stretch.

Players to Avoid (Strongly)

QB Geno Smith

Smith now leads the Raiders offense, but he faces a nightmare matchup. The Texans' 8-sack performance against Buffalo showed what they can do to quarterbacks, and the Raiders' offensive line is far worse than Buffalo's. This is a streaming defense week for Texans D/ST and a complete fade for Smith and the Raiders offense.

RB Ashton Jeanty

The rookie running back is the Raiders' primary ball carrier, but he'll find no success against Houston's defensive front. The game script will likely be so negative that garbage-time opportunities won't even materialize before the starters are pulled. Even talented backs can't overcome this combination of poor offensive line play and a dominant opposing defense.

Any Raiders Pass-Catchers

With Jakobi Meyers traded to the Jaguars, the Raiders' receiving corps is even thinner. Whoever Smith targets will face blanket coverage and minimal production opportunities.

Better Replacements

Instead of any Raiders offensive player: Literally pick almost anyone else. But specifically:

QBs: Dak Prescott vs. Buccaneers, Jordan Love vs. Saints, or Brock Purdy vs. Dolphins all offer significantly better matchups and offensive support.

WRs: Terry McLaurin vs. Eagles, or DK Metcalf @ Titans provide much better floors and ceilings.

RBs: Derrick Henry vs. Steelers, Alvin Kamara vs. Packers, or Kenneth Walker @ Titans face defenses that can actually be run against.

The SCS Strategy: Maximize Market Inefficiencies

Here's where the dynamic pricing in Salary Cap Sports creates opportunity. While these players' values will drop after facing Houston, savvy managers can:

1. Sell Before the Drop: If you roster Colts, Chiefs, Cardinals, or Raiders players scheduled to face Houston, consider trading them 1-2 weeks before their Houston game. Other managers may not be thinking ahead, allowing you to sell near peak value.

2. Buy the Dip: After these players face Houston and their values crater, they can become bargain pickups for the following weeks when they face easier opponents. Players like Daniel Jones or Jonathan Taylor facing softer defenses in Week 17 could be interesting pickups—at a significant discount.

3. Stream the Texans D/ST: If your league allows defensive streaming in SCS format, Week 16 against the Raiders might be the single best streaming opportunity of the fantasy season.

4. Target Texans Offensive Players: While opponents' offenses struggle, Houston's offense gets more opportunities. Nico Collins, CJ Stroud, and Joe Mixon all benefit from the defense's dominance. In Week 15, consider investing in Texans offensive players as they'll likely control the game against Arizona.

Final Thoughts

The Houston Texans defense is the real deal—allowing 264.3 yards per game (1st), 16.3 points per game (1st), and leading the NFL in EPA per play allowed. With elite pass rushers and the league's best secondary, they create a nearly impenetrable wall that opposing offenses simply cannot solve.

Over the next four weeks, the Colts (Week 13), Chiefs (Week 14), Cardinals (Week 15), and Raiders (Week 16) all face this gauntlet. In Salary Cap Sports, where player values fluctuate like stocks based on performance, facing Houston is like a market crash for your roster. Be proactive: identify these players on your roster now, make your trades and substitutions early, and avoid the value destruction that comes from running into the Texans wall.

Remember, in SCS, it's not just about picking good players—it's about avoiding bad matchups before they tank your team's value. The Texans defense represents the worst matchup in football right now. Plan accordingly.

Have questions about specific players or roster decisions? Drop them in the comments, and let's talk strategy for navigating this Texans defensive juggernaut!