In Week 17 of the **Home Team Challenge**, the free fantasy football game with great prizes on HoustonTexans.com, the winning player will take home a mini-helmet autographed by Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, defensive end Mario Williams, linebacker DeMeco Ryans, quarterback Matt Schaub, defensive end Anthony Weaver, running back Ahman Green, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and cornerback Dunta Robinson.
Here's my final weekly fantasy advice, with a few players I like and a few players I don't.
PRICE IS RIGHT
QB Tyler Thigpen, KC, 57 points (@ CIN): Thigpen seems to always be good for about 200 yards passing and at least one touchdown, so if you're looking for consistency, then this is your man. He has thrown for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, which includes at least one passing touchdown in every game he has started except one. He plays against the Bengals' 14th-ranked pass defense this week, which gives him a pretty good matchup.
VALUE PICK
WR Vincent Jackson, SD, 35 (vs. DEN): The Broncos' pass defense is giving up 230.3 yards per game, which ranks them at 27th in the league. Jackson has caught 57 balls for 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Both the Chargers and Broncos should pull out all their tricks in this game, as it will decide who wins the AFC West and will be going to the playoffs. Expect a lot of passing from both teams.
RB Ryan Grant, GB, 34 (vs. DET): The only thing the Lions have to play for is to not go through the season without winning a game. The Packers will not want to be the only team to lose to the 0-15 Lions. The Lions' run defense is allowing a league-worst 169.5 yards per game on the ground. Grant has quietly had a productive season, rushing for 1,097 yards and four touchdowns. The Packers will want to control the clock with their run game to keep the Lions' offense off the field. That should mean a heavy does of Grant.
NOT WORTH IT
QB Kurt Warner, ARI, 69 (vs. SEA): Seattle's pass defense is giving up a league-worst 253.5 yards per game through the air. This usually would be a great matchup for Warner, but the Cardinals have clinched their division, can't improve their playoff position and have looked disinterested in their last two games. I think Warner won't play through the second quarter, giving quarterback Matt Leinart the majority of the snaps.
SLEEPER SPECIAL
RB Tashard Choice, DAL, 17 (@ PHI): With an ailing Marion Barber III, the Cowboys have been leaning on Tashard Choice to handle most of their rushing attempts the past few weeks. Last week, Choice had 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore's third-ranked rush defense. This week, he goes up against the Eagles sixth-ranked rush defense in a game with playoff implications. Barber has been limited in practice this week, but his status for Sunday's game has not been announced. Even if Barber plays, Choice should get the majority of the carries.
TEXANS FANTASY STARTER OF THE WEEK
K Kris Brown, HOU, 29 (vs. CHI): Brown has averaged 2.8 field goals over the Texans' last five games. That's pretty good production out of your kicker. The Texans have been able to move the ball all year, ranking third in total offense in the NFL. But the problem area for the Texans' offense has been in the red zone, where Brown has been there to put points on the board.
To register for the Home Team Challenge, click **here**. Make sure to set your lineups by Sun., Dec. 28, at 11:15 pm.
