Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
-2.1% 17thOff DVOA
-
20.3% 15thPassing DVOA
-
-8.8% 17thRushing DVOA
-
-6.8% 7thDef DVOA
-
-2.4% 8thDef Passing DVOA
-
-12.7% 12thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
-
Points For24.9 12th
-
Points Against20.4 7th
-
Yards Per Game326.0 18th
-
Yards Allowed Per Game317.0 8th
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III saw an expanded role in last week's loss and will hope to do more with his opportunities in a Week 16 clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore has been decimated by wide receivers all season, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to the position. Because Pittsburgh will again be without wideout George Pickens (hamstring), Austin should operate as a top option in the passing game after playing on 81% of offensive snaps and tallying 65 receiving yards in Week 15. He certainly has upside in this matchup, but Austin's utilization has been far too inconsistent to trust in him in most fantasy formats. The 25-year-old can be viewed as a desperation flex option in deeper leagues on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was quiet in last week's loss but will look to get back on track in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Although the Ravens have been stout against the run this season, they surrender plenty of catches and receiving yards to the running back position. When Warren last faced Baltimore in Week 11, he hauled in all four of his targets and posted 68 total yards. With George Pickens (hamstring) already ruled out for Saturday's contest, expect the Steelers to lean on the running game and get Warren involved as a pass-catcher, especially if Pittsburgh falls behind on the scoreboard. Fantasy managers can consider Warren as a flex option in half-and-full-PPR leagues this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris had his worst showing of the campaign in Week 15 and unfortunately draws another tough challenge against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Baltimore has given up just 3.41 yards per carry to opposing backs, the fewest in the NFL. It is worth noting, however, that Harris played well against the Ravens just a few weeks ago. In a Week 11 meeting with his division rival, Harris totaled 93 yards from scrimmage and finished as the RB17 in half-PPR scoring. With George Pickens (hamstring) set to miss a third straight contest, Pittsburgh could try to dictate the tempo at home by establishing the run with Harris and Jaylen Warren. Fantasy managers should keep their expectations in check given the difficulty of the matchup, but Harris can be started as a low-end RB2 or flex option this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in two straight games and will hope to find more success in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL and the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. However, it may be difficult for Wilson to take full advantage of the favorable matchup with his top target George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for a third consecutive week. Because of this, Wilson is not a recommended streaming option in single-quarterback leagues, but he can be started as a low-end QB2 in superflex formats.
According to Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) has been ruled out for Saturday's divisional tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. Fields was unable to practice all week after suffering this injury during last weekend's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though Russell Wilson has taken the starting role, Fields has occasionally been deployed in rushing situations. Over his past four games, Fields has tallied 58 yards on seven attempts. Fantasy managers should expect Kyle Allen to operate as the No.2 option behind Wilson on Saturday afternoon. Wilson should be viewed as a low-end QB1 facing a Baltimore secondary that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.