With nearly all of Week 14 in the books, there is still one prime matchup left on Monday night as the New England Patriots host the Houston Texans in Foxboro. Tom Brady has had great success under the bright lights of MNF, but Matt Schaub has been stellar on the road over the past two seasons.
Fantasy wins and losses may be decided in this game, as a host of top ranked players and units are participating, including Schaub, Brady, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, the Houston Defense and tight end Aaron Hernandez among more. Here what's to expect from the big players tonight.
QUARTERBACK
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady has been the fourth-highest scoring fantasy player this season and has been the model of efficiency, throwing just four interceptions.
Last week Brady had a quiet game against Miami, posting just 10 fantasy points, but should put up some big numbers despite playing against a solid Texans defense that gives up the 14th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. He shines under the bright lights of Monday night, going 12-4 in his career, and has passed for seven touchdowns in the past three games.
Brady is projected to score 17 points, but could put up more if Wes Welker has success against the Texans secondary. Brady has posted at least 26 points in three of the past five weeks and has scored in double-digits in every game this season.
Two weeks ago against the Jets Brady posted 32 fantasy points and has thrown four touchdowns in two of the last three times he played on Monday night football. Brady has a solid matchup, since the Texans secondary is giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the past five weeks.
Expect a big game from Mr. Gisele on Monday night.
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Schuab has been one of the main reasons the Texans are 11-1 and has been just as valuable to fantasy owners this season. He has earned 193.87 this season and has had three straight games with double-digit points.
Against the Jaguars three weeks ago Schaub had a season-high 43 fantasy points and is matched up against a Patriots defense that has given up the 10th-most points to quarterbacks.
Schaub is stellar on the road in his career and has gone 8-0 away from home over the past 16 games. The Texans are still battling for playoff seeding and a win against the Patriots could have implications if they face each other in the postseason.
Over the past three games Schaub has passed for eight touchdowns and has thrown for over 900 passing yards. The New England secondary has given up numbers big plays this season and will have a tough matchup against wide receiver Andree Johnson.
RUNNING BACK
Arian Foster, Houston Texans
Foster has been the top-rated fantasy player this season and has poster 238 points already with four more games to go. The New England defense has given up the 13th-fewest fantasy points this year, but they haven't faced a back like Foster.
As a dual threat from the backfield Foster is valuable in points-per-reception leagues and has scored double-digit fantasy points in ever game this season. He posted 15.80 points against Tennessee and has scored 13 touchdowns in 12 games. Foster has rushed for over 100 yards in three of the past five games and should do so again on Monday night.
The New England defense has given up the most 20-yard runs in the AFC East, but has done a good job of limiting running backs the past few weeks. The emergence of tight end Owen Daniel has opened up the passing game, which has given favorable matchups for Foster.
WIDE RECIEVER
Wes Welker, New England Patriots
The relationship between Tom Brady and Wes Welker is unmatched around the NFL. Welker is leading the league in receptions with 92 and has scored four touchdowns this season. Welker is listed as questionable for the game, but practiced all week with no issues and is expected to play.
Welker has been essential to the Patriots in the past three games and has been valuable for fantasy owners going down the home stretch. Welker is one of the most reliable receivers in football and has posted double-digit fantasy points in four straight games.
Last week against Miami, Wekler had 24 fantasy points and matches up on Monday night against a defense that gives up the 15th-most fantasy points to wide receivers in the league.
Welker has scored in double-digits in all but two games this season, but hasn't done it in over a month. With a team in the playoffs, Welker is an essential start even with the injury.
Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Johnson will have the primary focus from the Patriots on Monday night, but could benefit from a successful running game if Arian Foster gets going. Over the past three weeks, Johnson has earned over 70 fantasy points and has nearly 400 receiving yards.
Houston has won five straight games after losing for the first time this season against the Packers. Johnson is ranked in the top-five in receiving yards and had a record setting game against the Jaguars three weeks ago, making 14 receptions for 273 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Schaub has been healthy for the entire season for the first time in his career, which is one reason why Johnson has been so successful. He has made at least one reception in every game this season and is projected for at least 17 points against the Patriots.