Welcome to week 16 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. Raiders
Jayden Higgins
Position: WR
Projected Week 16 storm path: 4.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, 25.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 3.9 fantasy points
Actual Week 16 path: 3 targets, 1 reception, 17 yards (17.0 avg.), 0 TDs, 2.7 fantasy pts
Total stats through Week 16: 59 targets, 37 receptions, 414 yards (11.2 avg.), 4 TDs, 102.4 fantasy pts
Analysis: On Sunday, Higgins caught only one pass for 17 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. This was the seventh time this season that Higgins has caught one pass or fewer in a game (they are 3-4 in such games).
Yet, the catch in question from Sunday was a clutch one. On 3rd and 5, with around 2:37 left in the 4th quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud stepped up in the pocket and threw a 17-yard dart to Higgins at the 50-yard line.
The catch moved the chains and allowed Houston a chance to ice the game four plays later on an even more improbable catch (Collins).
Week 17 statistical projections: 3.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, 25.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 4.5 fantasy points
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Jaylin Noel
Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 16 storm path: 2 targets, 1.0 receptions, 9.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 2.5 fantasy points
Actual week 16 path: 0 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 TD’s, 8 ret, 107 return yards (13.4 yd avg.), 0.0 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 16: 30 targets, 22 receptions, 225 yards (10.2 yd avg.), 908 return yards, 1 TD, 36.4 fantasy pts
Analysis: Noel has now gone back-to-back games without a single target in the passing attack. This is the first time all season that he has gone multiple contests in a row without a feature in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s scheme (they are 2-2 in such games).
He continued to contribute in the return game, adding eight returns for 107 yards (13.4 avg). His 19 punt return yards brought his franchise record up to 325 yards on the season.
Week 17 Projections: 2 targets, 1.0 receptions, 7.5 yards, 0.1 TD, 1.7 fantasy points
All stats and projections provided courtesy of ESPN, RotoBaller, FantasyPros, Fantasy Data and PFF.
