Week 14 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Tom Savage threw for a career-high 349 yards on 49 attempts last Sunday in the loss at Tennessee. While he’s thrown at least one interception in the past four contests—including the one last week that pretty much ended the game—Savage has increased his yardage total each time since taking over for Deshaun Watson. San Francisco allows over 230 passing yards per game, so, if you’re in need of a QB, especially one who has the luxury of throwing to DeAndre Hopkins, Savage could be a viable option.
Week 13 at Tennessee Titans
Facing a good Ravens defense last Monday, Tom Savage threw for a season-high 252 yards, but turned the ball over 3 times, including on the Texans' last two possessions. He connected with DeAndre Hopkins 7 times for nearly half of his passing yardage (125 yards). Deshaun Watson was able to torch the Titans for 283 passing yards and 4 TDs at home in October, however, this is a different Houston offense with Savage at the helm. Tennessee is No. 20 against the pass, but can you really rely on Savage on the road to help your team get a fantasy victory?
Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens
In the home win versus the Cardinals last Sunday, Tom Savage had his best game of the season. He finished with 230 passing yards and threw 2 TD tosses, the first time in his career he’s had a multi-touchdown game. Will Fuller is expected back this week, which will help out the passing attack, but Savage will face a Ravens defense that just shutout another backup QB in Brett Hundley. Baltimore is No. 2 against the pass, so despite the good outing from Savage last week, there has to be better options available.
Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Despite another subpar performance last week in the loss to the Rams, Tom Savage remains the Texans' starting QB. At Los Angeles, he was just 18-of-36 for 221 yards (half of which went to DeAndre Hopkins) with 1 TD and 2 INTs. He was also sacked 3 times. At least he only turned the ball over once, but the Houston offense just isn’t anywhere close to what it was with Deshaun Watson. Back at home this week, Savage faces a Cardinals defense ranked No. 23 against the pass. However, the Houston QB should only be started if you’re completely out of other options.
Week 10 at Los Angeles Rams
Tom Savage almost led his team back to a victory last week at home versus the Colts, but couldn’t complete a pass from inside the 10-yard line in the final seconds. In the loss, the Texans QB completed just 19-of-44 passes for 219 yards and a fourth-quarter TD to DeAndre Hopkins. He also fumbled twice, losing one. The Texans offense is a shell of what it was with Savage at the helm. The Rams are allowing only 205 passing yards per game, so look elsewhere for a starting fantasy QB.
Week 9 vs. Indianapolis Colts
With the injury to Deshaun Watson, it'll be the return of Tom Savage at QB this week for the Texans. In the season-opening loss to the Jaguars, he was just 7-of-13 for 62 yards, was sacked 6 times and lost 2 fumbles...in just 30 minutes of action. The good news is that he'll be at home against a poor Colts defense, but you have to be pretty desperate to have faith in him as your starter this week after his performance earlier this season.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
It was just one half of football last Sunday, but Tom Savage had a full game’s worth of bad action. Before being benched at intermission for rookie Deshaun Watson, Savage threw for just 62 yards, was sacked 6 times and lost a fumble that resulted in a Jaguars touchdown. He belongs on your bench.
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
With Brock Osweiler out of the picture and rookie Deshaun Watson still finding his way, Tom Savage will be the Texans’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Savage is in his fourth season but has only thrown 92 regular season passes. He does have a solid wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, but the Houston offense will feature a lot of Lamar Miller and the ground game. You’re better off starting another signal-caller over Savage this week.
Fantasy Upside
Houston Texans CB Johnathan Joseph has watched Tom Savage for three seasons and believes the fourth-year QB is ready for his opportunity to become the starter in Houston. "He has all the physical talent, all the tools to be a starting quarterback in this league," Joseph said of Savage. Of course, Brock Osweiler's surprising trade to the Browns cleared the way for Savage to move in as the starter. The good news? Although still unproven, Savage is incredibly cheap right now, even as a backup. He'll make just $765,000 in 2017, as he enters the final season of his four-year contract. If Savage impresses enough as the starter, he'll be a cheap enough option this season, and the team can work out a new deal next offseason.
Fantasy Downside
The Texans drafted DeShaun Watson in the first round of April's draft.
2017 Bottom Line
Savage is still expected to be the initial starter, but you'll want to verify this before you invest. More likely, we'll all be hoping whichever player ultimately lands the job doesn't hurt the value of DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and C.J. Fiedorowicz.
Week 17 at Tennessee
Making his first start of the season last Saturday night against the Bengals, Tom Savage threw for only 176 yards, but was efficient at leading his team to a win and division championship. He was sacked four times, but completed 62 percent of his passes, doing just enough to keep his team in the game. In the early October win over the Titans, Brock Osweiler threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns versus the No. 31 defense against the pass, but Savage should not be started.
