Battle Red Blog
Welcome to week 10 of the Cyclone tracker!
This is where we follow our resident weather-themed duo in rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both out of Iowa State (hence, the “Cyclone” twins).
As always, there will be analysis, projections, commentary, and relevant updates that happen in real time.
Week 10 Cyclones Tracker:
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Name: Jayden Higgins
Position: WR
Projected week 10 storm path: 2.5 targets, 2.0 receptions, 20.5 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 2.7-4.5 fantasy points
Actual week 10 path: 7 targets, 5 reception, 42 yards, 1 TD, 10.2 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 10: 29 targets, 19 receptions, 201 yards (10.6 avg.), 3 TD’s, 43.3 fantasy pts
Assessment: For the third time in nine games, and his second time in three games, Higgins found the endzone to help his team find essential points. This time, en route to a walk-off win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Funny enough, the Texans are undefeated in games where Higgins scores a touchdown (Titans, 49ers, Jaguars).
Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills did a great job of utilizing Higgins’ height and catch radius in crucial moments in the ballgame to pick up first downs and convert in the red zone.
The eye test and statistics bear this out: the more Higgins gets to touch the football in a game, the better the results.
Week 11 Projections: 3.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, 30.5 yards, 1 TD, 8.5 fantasy points
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Name: Jaylin Noel
Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 10 storm path: 2 targets, 1.3 receptions, 8.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 1.3 fantasy points
Actual week 10 path: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TD’s, 8 return yards (8.0 yd avg.), 7.5 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 10: 24 targets, 18 receptions, 197 yards (10.9 yd avg.), 368 return yards, 1 TD, 29.0 fantasy pts
Assessment: Things might be finally turning around on the “give Noel more reps” front, as he finished Sunday’s game with his third most targets in a game (4), tied for his second most catches in a game (4) and having his third most yards in a game (35).
Even though he didn’t score, his frequent involvement in a fluid game plan from offensive coordinator Nick Caley helped the team to come roaring back in the 4th quarter from down 19-points to win 36-29 in regulation.
Whether it was catching a bootleg pass for 27-yards, or hauling in a clutch 4th-and-2 catch to extend a drive, Noel consistently showed a clutch gene at a team where the team needed it the most.
Hopefully, his place in the offense will only grow from here and his touchdown numbers will start to catch up with the rest of his production.
Week 11 Projections: 4 targets, 3.0 receptions, 23.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 6.5 fantasy points
All stats and projections provided courtesy of ESPN, RotoBaller, FantasyPros and PFF.
