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 wide receiver Calvin Austin III has only 20 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns this season. However, two of those scores have come in the last four games. George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth are still the top receiving options in Pittsburgh. Yet, Austin has some value in the deepest of fantasy leagues against a horrendous Bengals defense on Sunday. Of course, he's a very risky fantasy option, and his success from a production standpoint is contingent on whether he finds the end zone.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell will be looking to bounce back against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing one of his three field goal attempts in the snow last week. It was a rare miss for Boswell, who has been excellent for fantasy and arguably the best kicker in the NFL this season. While Cincinnati hasn't given up much production to kickers, the Bengals tend to get into high-scoring battles with most of the teams they face. Until Pittsburgh's offense proves it can punch the ball into the end zone consistently, Boswell will continue to be called upon frequently. The 10th-year veteran is a must-start fantasy asset with plenty of upside on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth showed signs of life for fantasy purposes last week and will look to stay involved in a Week 13 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has given up plenty of production through the air this season and has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. For what it's worth, Freiermuth has played quite well against the Bengals throughout his career and posted a career-high 120 receiving yards against them in Week 12 of the 2023 campaign. He is an intriguing fantasy streaming candidate in this matchup, but with no teams on bye this week, there are likely better options available for starting lineups.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is earning nearly 30% of his team's targets and should once again serve as quarterback Russell Wilson's top option in a Week 13 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals. Pickens and the Steelers' offense struggled to get much going in the snow last week but could get back on track on Sunday. The Bengals surrender the 10th-most passing yards as well as the 12th-most fantasy points per contest to opposing wideouts. With Cincinnati scoring at such a high rate this season, Pittsburgh will likely need to air it out to keep up with their divisional rival. Pickens should be heavily involved this week and thus can be started in all fantasy formats as a low-end WR1.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had his best showing of the season in Week 12 and will carry some positive momentum into Sunday's meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been difficult to run on in 2024, allowing the 12th-fewest rushing yards to opposing backs. This contest is projected to be close and have a fair amount of points scored, however, so Warren should be utilized throughout as a weapon both on the ground and through the air. With Najee Harris still getting the bulk of the carries, Warren can't be confidently started as a top-24 option, but the 26-year-old offers some upside as a flex play this week.