Battle Red Blog
Welcome to week 13 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.
Position: WR
Projected Week 13 storm path: 8.0 targets, 6.5 receptions, 55.5 yards, 1 TD, 12.5 fantasy points
Actual Week 13 path: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 65 yards (13.0 avg.), 0 TDs, 11.5 fantasy pts
Total stats through Week 13: 50 targets, 32 receptions, 359 yards (11.2 avg.), 4 TD’s, 91.9 fantasy pts
Analysis: Receiver Jayden Higgins continues to grow as a reliable second option for quarterback C.J. Stroud in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s developing offense. He took another step as a playmaker against the Colts, going a perfect 5-5 in catches and generating a career high 65 yards receiving.
Although the former Iowa State Cyclone didn’t reach the end zone at Lucas Oil Stadium, his impact was felt by maintaining time of possession with key first-down receptions and continuing to threaten defenses as the “Nico Collins-Duplicate” of the offense.
Also, the Texans are now 7-0 in games where Higgins either has a touchdown or 4+ catches.
Week 14 statistical projections: 5.0 targets, 4.0 receptions, 55.5 yards, 1 TD, 10.5 fantasy points
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Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 13 storm path: 3 targets, 2.0 receptions, 15.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 6.5 fantasy points
Actual week 13 path: 1 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 TD’s, 106 return yards (21.2 yd avg.), 0.0 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 13: 28 targets, 20 receptions, 213 yards (10.6 yd avg.), 659 return yards, 1 TD, 33.1 fantasy pts
Analysis: Since week 10’s 4-4, 35-yard game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, receiver Jaylin Noel has only two catches on four targets combined across the last three contests against the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.
Against the Colts, Noel was targeted only once and had zero catches. He did eclipse 100+ yards in the return game, but he has yet to truly flip a game on its head with his special teams proficiency.
Similar to last week’s report, the winning helps to take the focus off this development in the early stages of Noel’s career, but one can’t help but imagine what could happen with this offense if Noel were fully unleashed.
Week 14 Projections: 2 targets, 1.0 receptions, 9.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 3.5 fantasy points
All stats and projections provided courtesy of ESPN, RotoBaller, FantasyPros and PFF.
