A Perfectly Timed Resurgence
After a quiet start to the year, Colts receiver TY Hilton has returned to fantasy relevance with a bang and looks set for another big performance this Sunday
Welcome back TY Hilton, what took you so long?
After the opening few weeks of the 2020 season, Colts veteran receiver TY Hilton was barely worth having on your roster, failing to reach 30 receiving yards in four of his opening seven games. But after his performances in recent weeks, Hilton has vaulted himself into a position where he is now a must-start option at the perfect time for fantasy managers… just as we reach the final two weeks of the fantasy season.
Hilton has seen a decent number of targets throughout the season but hadn’t quite put up the production we have come to expect in recent years. However, Hilton has now amassed at least 80 yards in each of the last three weeks, after failing to reach 80 yards in any of his previous nine games. He also failed to score a touchdown in his first nine games of the season yet has scored in each of his last three games, including two trips to the endzone last week.
The Colts as a whole have been impressive offensively in recent weeks. In the last five games, Indy has thrown for 250 yards in four of its last five games – and was only six yards short against the Raiders last weekend. So far this year, the Colts have recorded the ninth-most receiving yards in the league, and rank joint-fourth in net yards per attempt, only behind the Chiefs, Packers, and Texans.
Despite the slow start, Hilton is the clear number one receiving option for Indianapolis. Hilton has seen 71 targets this year, with 46 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. As a result, he leads the team in targets and receiving yards, has the joint-most receiving touchdowns, and has just five receptions fewer than Nyheim Hines – who leads the team with 51.
Division rivals the Houston Texans, this week’s opponents, provide a perfect chance for Hilton to provide a solid fantasy output once again. While rookie running back Jonathan Taylor will be looking to exploit a Texans team who allow the second-most points to running backs, after his 165-yard performance last week, there should be plenty of opportunities through the air too.
Houston is similarly generous to wide receivers – allowing the ninth most points to the position this year. The Texan’s secondary continues to allow big performances on a regular basis and Hilton looks to be in a great position to prosper once again this weekend.
The Texans have allowed a receiver to reach 100 yards in seven of the team’s last eight games. Given Hilton’s role as River’s primary weapon in this offense, he appears to be the most likely player on the Colts team to continue the trend. In fact, just two weeks ago Hilton had one of his best performances of the season against the Texans. Hilton reeled in eight of his 11 targets, amassing 110 yards and a touchdown, with his 11 targets accounting for a healthy 31% team target share.
Week 16, the fantasy championship weekend, provides another intriguing game for Hilton. The Colts will play the Steelers in a potentially pivotal AFC matchup. Pittsburgh, at times, has been susceptible through the air, and with the target share he is commanding at present, Hilton has a good chance to produce once again.