Before every game, I give our subscribers Fantasy Football advice and post our staff predictions for the week’s games.

This week the Houston Texans (2-4) face the San Francisco 49ers (5-2) in a must win game. And unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without Nico Collins, their best and most consistent playmaker.

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Here’s some advice for your Fantasy Football lineups if you have some Texans’ players on your roster, and our weekly predictions:

Start

Jaylin Noel

Why: Noel showed the type of explosion last Monday to suggest that the Texans have been making a mistake by not utilizing him more. He had four catches for 72 yards, including a tremendous grab at the end of the second quarter to get the Texans in good position to kick a field goal.

He’ll get more opportunities against the 49ers on Sunday. So if you’re someone who has several receivers on a bye week, I’d pick him from free agency up now. And if he’s on your bench, start him.

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Projected stats: 7 catches for 85 yards, 1 touchdown.

Woody Marks

Why: The 49ers have one of the better run defenses in the NFL, but they are not as stingy as the Seahawks were. And with Nico Collins out, it’s likely the Texans will rely on their ground game more often than the previous one. The benefit of having Marks on your team is that he can catch the ball out of the backfield, too. He gives you much more value than Nick Chubb, whom he’ll split carries with.

Marks had the team’s only receiving touchdown last week.

Projected stats: 15 rushes for 70 yards, 4 catches for 47 yards and 1 TD.

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K Ka’imi Fairbairn

Why: Touchdowns may be hard to come by once again. And Fairbairn has been on the money this season. He’s someone the Texans feel they can trust in any situation. And not having Collins lessens the chances Houston will go for it much on fourth-and-short.

Projected stats: 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, one 50-yard field goal.

Sit

WR Christian Kirk

Why: He’ll miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Remember to adjust your lineup!

Projected stats: None.

WR Nico Collins

Why: Collins is out with a concussion. It’s his first game missed this season. Adjust your lineup!

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Projected stats: None.

QB C.J. Stroud

Why: Stroud, who is coming off his worst performance of the season, will be without his two most trusted targets Sunday. I’m not saying he’ll have a bad game. He says his confidence remains high, and I believe him.

But connecting on explosive plays may be a little difficult. The offensive line will also need to protect better. This is one where you might want to sit him.

Projected stats: 186 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.

Staff predictions

Jonathan M. Alexander

49ers 24, Texans 18: If Nico Collins was playing, I would have taken a chance and picked the Texans. But he’s not and that gives San Francisco the advantage.

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Season record: 4-2

Reid Laymance 

49ers 24, Texans 20: San Francisco has found a way to overcome injuries and plays just as hard on defense thanks to Robert Saleh, one of DeMeco Ryans’ mentors

Season record: 3-3

Greg Rajan 

49ers 24, Texans 16: San Francisco may be without defensive pillars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, but the Houston offense has given no reason to believe it can be effective. The Texans’ defense will keep them in this game for a bit but it can only do so much, as we saw Monday in Seattle.

Season record: 4-2

Brandon Scott 

49ers 30, Texans 23: The Niners enter this game with the league’s top-ranked offense and a defense that ranks seventh in points allowed. It’s a complete team, even when not fully healthy. The Texans are still lifeless on offense and didn’t exactly breed confidence in their last outing.

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Season record: 5-1

Sam Warren

49ers 17, Texans 13: This game will be close as almost every one for these two teams has been this year. Nine of their 13 combined games have been decided by one score. But ultimately, timely defensive execution from Robert Saleh’s unit will disrupt any rhythm Nick Caley and the Houston offense can find, leading to a San Francisco victory..

Season record: 4-2

Matt Young

49ers 16, Texans 13: Even beset by injuries, the 49ers defense is still only a notch or two below what the Seahawks brought to the table, which gave the Texans absolute fits. Neither team figures to put up many points, but expect another long day for Houston’s offensive line.

Season record: 2-4

This article originally published at Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers: Fantasy football advice and predictions.