Texans vs Colts defense: Who should I start in Week 18 Fantasy Football?

It's Week 18, and the bravest fantasy football leagues are playing their championship games as the NFL regular season draws to a close. This is a tough game week to navigate, as the top teams are resting star players or limiting their reps.

Combining that with the big game in fantasy football makes for a chaotic finale. There's a good chance that players from the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will sit out their games, so they are risky starts, which goes for their defenses too.

Two defenses that might be worth a look at as replacements or streamers in Week 18 belong to the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. They face each other in a hugely significant battle in Indianapolis. They're both 9-7 and harbor hopes of not just reaching the playoffs but winning the AFC South.

Let's take a look at the fantasy outlooks for these two defenses:

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Houston Texans defense rank for Week 18

Houston Texans defense rank for Week 18

While the Houston Texans' defense has not been prolific in fantasy football, they put up 21 points in Week 17 versus the Tennessee Titans. They face a Colts offense that's no stranger to interceptions or fumbles, having turned the ball over 21 times this season.

The Colts have a decent offense, scoring 377 points this season, averaging 23.56 points per game. That suggests that the Texans' defense will not get points for keeping Indy out, so sacks and turnovers are key in fantasy football.

On the season, Houston's D has recorded 45 sacks, 14 INTs, nine fumble recoveries, one TD and two return TDs for 125.00 points in fantasy football. That makes them the 12th-ranked defense in fantasy this year, so for them to only be rostered in 15.6% of leagues is strange.

Sportskeeda's Start/Sit tool projects the Texans D to record 6.3 points in Week 18. It means that they are potentially a good pick, but this is a difficult game to predict. If you think the Texans will win this game, it's logical to see their defense putting in a big performance, which could translate nicely into fantasy football.

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Indianapolis Colts defense rank for Week 18

Indianapolis Colts defense rank for Week 18

The Indianapolis Colts have one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL and fantasy this year, having put up some big scores throughout the year. The defense has broken nine points eight times this season, which includes performances of 26, 16 (x2) and 14 points.

The Colts D has recorded 49 sacks, 15 INTs, nine fumble recoveries and five TDs for 134.00 fantasy points this season. This is the tenth-best defense in fantasy but bizarrely only rostered in 42.8% of leagues.

They face a Texans offense that's stronger with C.J. Stroud under center but still a little light at receiver. Tank Dell is out for the season, Noah Brown is out for this game, while Robert Woods is questionable in Week 18. Nevertheless, Houston is a good team and will be as tough an opponent as anyone in Week 18.

Sportskeeda's Start/Sit tool projects the Colts' defense to record 5.7 points in Week 18, which seems a little conservative. It likely takes into account the Texans' potential for point-scoring with Stroud at QB and the high-scoring matchup this looks to be.

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Texans or Colts defense: Which one's the right call in fantasy football Week 18?

Looking at the numbers, the Texans D is a better pick in fantasy football this week. Given that the pressure will be on both teams in this must-win game, this is an unpredictable one.

Will Gardner Minshew and C.J. Stroud be able to handle it, or will the two defenses keep the scoring low?

Texans or Colts defense: Which one's the right call in fantasy football Week 18?

If you think this will be a low-scoring game, either of these defenses are good starts, but in the event of a shootout, they should be avoided. Both defenses are very interesting choices this week, but there may be better options available to you as streamers.