Monday Night Takeaways – Week 5 Oct 9, 2012 | More
More articles from Eric Hartvigson

Houston 23, New York 17

Houston

The Texans opened the game toying with the Jets defense, using Arian Foster on a misdirection to rip-off chunks in the passing game. Owen Daniels ended the drive with a 34-yard touchdown strike.

As usual, the Texans then downshifted into second gear, riding their defense and Foster to an undefeated 5-0. Houston’s ongoing game plan has crushed the value of wide receiver Andre Johnson and quarterback Matt Schaub. As stated weekly, both players should be under consideration for bench material when Houston plays teams unable to challenge their defense. That will not be the case next week as the Green Bay Packers role into town as Johnson returns to mid-WR2 status while Schaub is a high-end QB2.

New York Jets

My hats off to Mark Sanchez for his heart and toughness to play a game under constant duress minus his best weapon Santonio Holmes and losing center Nick Mangold mid-game. However, admiration doesn’t score fantasy points as Sanchez did his best to muster up 230 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (although not his fault). Now sharing the backfield with Tim Tebow, Sanchez is a QB5.

The lone positive takeaway from the Jets offense was the continued emergence of wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. Already making some waves before this game, Kerley led the team in receiving with five receptions totaling 94 yards on nine targets. Averaging eight fantasy points per game, and with the loss of Holmes, Kerley has upside developing into a nice low-end WR3. Kerley is definitely worthy a roster spot moving forward.

After a ringing endorsement from the coaching staff before the season, Shonn Greene’s stock is plummeting like it’s 2008. Already a plodding running back with very little hip swivel and no real burst, Greene is now engulfed by a four-headed running back by committee as the Jets look like they are auditioning running backs as if it were a casting call for “America’s Got Talent.”