Aaron Rodgers is probably out, Jay Cutler’s status is uncertain (plus the Bears don’t play until Monday night) and Michael Vick has been usurped by Nick Foles for the remainder of 2013, meaning that many fantasy players are looking for help at the most important position of all – quarterback.
Houston has a young QB in Case Keenum who hasn’t been spectacular in six career starts but could be a serviceable fill-in when the (2-10) Texans travel to Jacksonville to take on the (3-9) Jaguars on “Thursday Night Football.” For the Jags and the Texans, divisional rivals who have two of the worst records in the league, this lackluster matchup is the equivalent of the Super Bowl, giving Keenum all of the incentive in the world to play well.
Through his six starts, Keenum has averaged almost 240 passing yards and about 10 rushing yards per game to go along with only three picks and nine total touchdowns. More importantly, with regard to Thursday’s game, Keenum’s road stats bear mentioning. In his two career starts away from Reliant Stadium, Keenum owns a quarterback rating of 96.0 and has thrown four TD passes with no picks.
He was solid last week against the Patriots suspect pass defense (15-30, 272 yards, one interception, one rushing touchdown) and he will be facing off against a Jacksonville D that just let Josh Gordon go for 261 yards and two touchdowns with Brandon Weeden tossing him the rock in Week 13.
Luckily for Keenum, he has a receiver who is just as capable of Gordon as going off in Andre Johnson and it is certainly reasonable to think that Johnson will get loose for a few big plays while the Jaguars focus on stopping Ben Tate (three TDs last week).
As a quick aside, don’t consider starting Johnson on Thursday, do it. In Keenum’s six starts, these are Johnson’s catch/yardarge/TD totals: 4-89; 9-229-3; 5-37-2; 10-116; 2-36; 8-121. Add that all up and Johnson is averaging about 104 yards-per-game with Keenum handling QB duties to go along with five touchdowns.
Considering those numbers, it’s not surprising that Johnson has kind words for the first-year quarterback. “His attitude, his approach to the game is great,” Johnson said. “It’s not the mentality of a young player…He’s a fiery guy, he loves the game and I think that’s the great thing about him.”
He’s not the only one with praise for Keenum. “He’s an athletic guy back there,” Bill Belichick said after the Pats narrow win in Houston. “Made some good throws. Scored 31 points. I mean they obviously gave us trouble.”
Praise from BB doesn’t necessarily equate to a fantasy start, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Owners who are scrambling to replace their QB could certainly do worse than Case.
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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