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Optimal Lineup
– Captain: T.Y. Hilton ($16,500) – Andrew Luck ($11,400) – Corey Davis ($7,800) – Taywan Taylor ($5,400) – Nyheim Hines ($4,800) – Adam Vinatieri ($3,400) There are a variety of ways to approach the optimal lineup, but also unique approaches to take in order to be different than the field. Although Derrick Henry has an elevated price due to his impressive recent stretch, I still think he's going to have decent ownership. In turn, not using him in the optimal creates a different approach. Each lineup created typically has some focus on a certain game flow while also covering on some level in case that game flow doesn't completely go as planned. In this one, I'm pegging the Colts to put points on the board and likely force the Titans to play catch-up a bit. Obviously, with the Titans at home in a crucial game, this could go a variety of ways, but this is one approach. With that focus, stacking Andrew Luck with T.Y. Hilton provides the high-upside pairing. Although the Titans have been good against opposing quarterbacks, Luck has been incredibly good this year with the exception of a few games. Over the first 15 games, the Colts signal-caller has thrown two or more touchdowns 12 times. He's also reeled off three or more on eight occasions. As for Hilton, he has an appealing matchup and has a chance to be the highest-scoring player on the slate. The Titans pass defense isn't horrible by any means, but they have allowed 2,489 yards and 18 touchdowns on 192 receptions this year to opposing wide receivers. To finish off the Colts side, I opted to go with Nyheim Hines, who I believe will have a fair amount of ownership, but nothing over the top. The team's backup running back will get the bulk of the pass-catching work and see touches regardless of game flow. But if for some reason the Colts don't get a lead, Hines could see an expanded workload which is nice as he's seen 25 targets in the past four games.Titans Wide Receiver Pairing
On the Titans side, there's exposure to be had in a few places, and while I'm somewhat bullish on the matchup against a solid Colts secondary, if they're playing from behind it won't matter. I don't trust Blaine Gabbert very much, but of the 72 passes he's thrown this season, a decent number of them have gone to Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor. Specifically, Davis has seen 17 targets from Gabbert while Taylor has picked up seven. With both players locked into large workloads, they'll provide a solid floor. The upside for both is certainly apparent as well, considering Davis is the clear-cut top target and Taylor had six catches three weeks ago and topped 100 yards the week prior. There's some risk with the Titans side of the ball and specifically their passing game. The Colts have allowed just 1,920 yards and 13 touchdowns to opposing wideouts. Those numbers aren't off-the-walls incredible but are still worth mentioning. Next up is the 150-max lineup which offers a mixture of high upside plays and some risk as well.This week, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to bounce back on offense after throwing up an absolute dud last week. Andrew Luck and the offense registered zero points against a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars defense. Which was surprising to see, considering how well the Colts offense has done during their five-game win streak. Despite a lousy loss during Week 13, the Colts should be a lot better this week. Especially since they are looking to have their number one target back in T.Y. Hilton.
All week long, Hilton was absent at practice, excluding one day. As the veteran wideout is dealing with shoulder injuries, he has officially been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. Heading into Sunday, Hilton is apparently on track to play, but nobody should get ahead of themselves just yet. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it would be a ‘surprise’ if Hilton doesn’t play. However, you can never be so sure when a player is questionable.
Hilton Is on Track to Play Week 14
#Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (shoulder) is officially a game-time decision after barely practicing this week, I’m told. But based on his history and the importance of the game, it would be a major surprise if he didn’t play.
Should You Start or Sit the Colts Wideout?
T.Y. Hilton’s lack of practice this week is a bit troubling. Despite being a game-time decision, who is expected to play, we cannot assume that Hilton will be one-hundred percent. Therefore, his fantasy owners are going to have to make a tough decision this week. If there is any wideout on your roster that issues upside, you may want to look there instead of Hilton. After seeing the Colts offense last week, there’s no guarantee that Hilton has a big day even though he’s playing this week.
Even though the Colts were shut out last week, Hilton still saw a significant amount of looks on the offense. He was targeted 13 times but was only averaging 9.6 yards-per-catch. Hilton was held to under 80 yards and had zero touchdowns. Obviously, one bad week shouldn’t dictate everything. But Hilton’s injury lingering on, and his lack of practice throughout the week should definitely tell his fantasy owners to try and look elsewhere during this critical week for fantasy football.