Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
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-2.1% 17thOff DVOA
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20.3% 15thPassing DVOA
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-8.8% 17thRushing DVOA
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-6.8% 7thDef DVOA
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-2.4% 8thDef Passing DVOA
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-12.7% 12thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For24.3 12th
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Points Against21.3 8th
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Yards Per Game326.0 18th
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Yards Allowed Per Game317.0 8th
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is fresh off a monster performance and will carry some positive momentum into a meeting with the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Although Wilson underwhelmed against Cleveland in the snow two weeks ago, Sunday's contest is not expected to be played in harsh weather conditions. The potential is certainly there for the Browns to turn this into a shootout as Jameis Winston has attempted nearly 44 passes per game over the past five weeks. Pittsburgh has deployed more of a balanced attack with Wilson under center, but the 36-year-old has managed to score as a top-12 fantasy option in three of six starts. With six teams on bye this week, fantasy managers can turn to Wilson as a streaming candidate with plenty of upside against his division rival.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) suffered a new injury in practice this week and was listed as limited on Friday. As a result, the Steelers designated him as questionable to play in a divisional battle this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. This one came out of nowhere, so fantasy managers may have to adjust last minute with the 23-year-old wideout, who has become much more interesting in fantasy since quarterback Russell Wilson took over the offense from Justin Fields. Since Week 10, Pickens has caught 20 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets, but fantasy managers may be forced to move him to their bench this weekend. If Pickens doesn't get cleared to play on Sunday, Calvin Austin III would likely operate as Pittsburgh's WR1, with Van Jefferson and tight end Pat Freiermuth also seeing increased roles in the passing game.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (concussion) is good to go for Sunday's divisional tilt against the Cleveland Browns, according to Chris Adamski of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Austin entered concussion protocol following their Week 13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Austin opened the week as a limited participant but quickly upgraded to full participation on Thursday. Austin has found the back of the end zone in each of his past two contests after tallying just 19 yards during Weeks 10 and 11. Overall, the sophomore wideout has averaged 36.0 receiving yards per game since Week 6 and should be viewed as a risky flex option in deeper formats facing a Cleveland secondary that has allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (concussion) logged a full practice on Thursday afternoon. This is a great sign for the 25-year-old as he was a limited participant on Wednesday. However, fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress on Friday as he will need to pass the league's concussion protocol before returning to action. The sophomore wideout sustained this concussion during their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend. Austin found the back of the end zone for the second straight contest in this game. Over his previous five games, Austin has averaged 36.0 yards per game with 9.4 PPR points per game. If he can suit up to face the Cleveland Browns this weekend, he should be viewed as a risky flex option in deeper 14+ team formats.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has played in four games since being dealt from the New York Jets around the trade deadline, but he has caught just one pass for 32 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old has played 70 snaps for the Steelers, but he could see more opportunities with Calvin Austin III (concussion) in the concussion protocol. "It's a matter of time," head coach Mike Tomlin said on Williams getting more involved in the Pittsburgh offense. That said, it would be surprising if Williams became a consistent fantasy football contributor down the stretch, though he could have a spike week during the fantasy football playoffs. Fantasy managers in leagues of 12 teams or fewer can likely ignore Williams, but deep leaguers should monitor his usage in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.