What you are about to read has contains no information or commentary on Aaron Rodgers; you’re welcome. Let us, instead, look at the other, most exciting quarterback of the week, Tyrod Taylor. Oh, what? You thought it was Josh Allen? Lamar Jackson, perhaps? They might be the favorites, but the most interesting, potential breakout quarterback of the week, is actually Taylor.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe last saw Taylor in the second quarter of the second game of the season against Cleveland. He was off to a very decent start and is still responsible for Houston’s only win. In a game and a half, he’d accumulated over 470 yards and four total touchdowns. Then the hamstring injury occurred and the Texans have been massacred weekly since. Their obliterated offense has had a single-digit final score in four out of the last seven games, including a zero in Week Four.
A reportedly healthy Taylor will suit up under center this week in a favorable matchup and certainly winnable game for Houston. Although the Texans vie for the biggest mockery of an NFL team this season, Taylor could turn the tables and salvage them a smidgen of dignity. After all, Brandin Cooks wasn’t prayed out of purgatory at the trade deadline.
Cooks has the fourth-most receptions among wide receivers this season, 51, and the tenth-most receiving yards. Brandin Cooks has always been good. He also has the fourth-highest catch percentage of any player this season with over 40 receptions. And with one look at the Texan’s roster, there’s no doubt that he’s the guy.
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Drowning Dolphins
Still, none of that carries much weight if the matchup isn’t optimal. So, how about them Dolphins? I’ve written about Xavien Howard (Cooks’ coverage) three times already this season, that doesn’t speak well for him at all, considering I (primarily) write roto-style sports betting pieces. And he just keeps getting worse. In the last three games, Howard has surrendered five touchdowns. Miami’s defense is the second-to-worst in passing yards allowed per game with an average of 304. And that’s not just playing against Josh Allen, that included allowing a 300+ yard passing game to the likes of Trevor Lawrence. Speaking of Allen, he rushed for a touchdown against the Dolphins last week. Taylor rushed for a touchdown in his last game as well.
I don’t know how sold I am on a Texans win this week, but I’m all for them covering the spread and this game hitting the over (46.5). Ah, yes, and all the Taylor and Cooks props you can find.
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