In Week 8 of the **Home Team Challenge**, the free fantasy football game with great prizes on HoustonTexans.com, the winning player will take home mini-helmet autographed by Texans defensive end Anthony Weaver.
Here's my weekly fantasy advice, with a few players I like and a few players I don't.
PRICE IS RIGHT RB Clinton Portis, WAS, 51 points (@ DET): Portis is leading the league in rushing yards and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns. He has 818 yards and seven rushing touchdowns through seven games and is on pace to run for more than 1,800 yards this season. Combine those stats with the fact that he will be running against Detroit's lowly run defense, which has given up an average of 167.5 rushing yards per game. The Redskins' game plan should include a heavy dose of their star running back.
VALUE PICK TE Owen Daniels, HOU, 22 (vs. CIN): Daniels is having a great season. He's in the top three in receptions and receiving yards for NFL tight ends and leads AFC tight ends in both categories. Daniels has caught 29 passes for 374 yards this season and he scored two touchdowns last week against the Lions. Daniels has been extremely consistent, averaging 62.3 yards per game.
NOT WORTH IT QB Peyton Manning, IND, 65 (@ TEN):This has not been a typical season for Peyton Manning. The Colts' running game is not up to par with starter Joseph Addai out due to injury, and their passing game has been hit or miss so far this season. Going against Tennessee's tough pass defense, which is only allowing 179 passing yards per game, might be a tough matchup for the former Super Bowl MVP. Through six games this season, Manning has thrown only eight touchdowns to go with seven interceptions. Through the first six games last season, Manning already had 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Wait until you see the Manning of old before putting him in your fantasy lineup.
WR Terrell Owens, 38 (vs. TB): If you haven't heard that the Cowboys are falling apart, then come out from under that rock. Tony Romo is hurt. Rookie running back Felix Jones is out. Quarterback Brad Johnson struggled last week against the 1-4 St. Louis Rams, throwing three interceptions and only one touchdown. Going against Tampa Bay's defense isn't the greatest matchup for Owens and Johnson as the Bucs are only giving up 201.1 passing yards per game. As long as Johnson struggles, so will Owens.
SLEEPER SPECIAL RB Dominic Rhodes, IND, 20 (@ TEN): Since taking over for the injured Joseph Addai two games ago, Rhodes has run for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He was the one bright spot for the Colts in last week's debacle against the Packers, running for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Running room might be a little harder to find against the Titans' run defense, which only allows 89.5 yards on the ground per game. But any running back that gets 20-25 carries a game has a chance to find some running room.
TEXANS FANTASY STARTER OF THE WEEK QB Matt Schaub, HOU, 50 (vs. CIN): In Schaub's last three games, he has thrown for 953 yards and six touchdowns. The Texans' offense has been finding a lot of success with the running game, which is opening things up for Schaub. It also doesn't hurt that Schaub has wide receiver Andre Johnson to throw the ball to. Cincinnati has the NFL's sixth-ranked passing defense, but Schaub's recent outburst makes him a solid play.
To register for the Home Team Challenge, click **here**. Make sure to set your lineups by Sun., Oct. 21 at 10:00 a.m.
