Welcome to week 11 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.
Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel statistics vs. Titans
Jayden Higgins
Position: WR
Projected Week 11 storm path: 3.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, 30.5 yards, 1 TD, 8.5 fantasy points
Actual Week 11 path: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 55 yards, 0 TD’s, 9.5 fantasy pts
Total stats through Week 11: 36 targets, 23 receptions, 256 yards (11.1 avg.), 3 TD’s, 66.6 fantasy pts
Analysis: After five catches and, a career high in yards receiving (42) last week, and his third touchdown on the year, Higgins followed it up another four catches for 55 yards. Over the last two weeks, he has 14 targets, nine catches, 97 yards and a touchdown.
After Sunday’s contest against the Titans, Higgins seems to have carved out his role as pass catcher #3 at worst in Houston’s offense. He made his mark yet again in another “must win” game with a number of key receptions when the team needed it. For example, in the third quarter, Mills unloaded a beautiful 23-yard fade ball to Higgins from the Tennessee 24-yard line. It would have ended with a touchdown if Higgins was able to break the endzone plane from the 1 after he stretched out for it.
As long as he continues to be featured in Nick Caley’s scheme in a consistent fashion, the team will continue to benefit tremendously. The Texans are now 4-0 in games when Higgins has 4+ catches, and 3-0 in games where he scores a touchdown.
Week 12 statistical projections: 6.0 targets, 4.5 receptions, 45.5 yards, 1 TD, 10.5 fantasy points
——————————-
Jaylin Noel
Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 11 storm path: 4 targets, 3.0 receptions, 23.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 6.5 fantasy points
Actual week 11 path: 1 targets, 1 receptions, 12 yards, 0 TD’s, 89 return yards (12.7 yd avg.), 2.2 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 11: 25 targets, 19 receptions, 209 yards (11.0 yd avg.), 457 return yards, 1 TD, 31.2 fantasy pts
Analysis: Jaylin Noel being prominently featured in a Nick Caley offense is just a likely as GTA IV being dropped in 2025. The quandary continued this week, as Noel was only targeted once against the Titans for 12 yards, although he did get the lion’s share of return attempts with seven for 89 yards (51 - KR, 38 - PR)
At this point, it seems like Noel’s production will be a question mark for the rest of the season. As long as the Texans continue winning, then the sting won’t be as severe.
Week 12 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.