Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
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-3.5% 21stOff DVOA
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18.8% 16thPassing DVOA
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-8.8% 19thRushing DVOA
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-6% 10thDef DVOA
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3.4% 12thDef Passing DVOA
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-19.2% 7thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For25.2 10th
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Points Against18.4 5th
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Yards Per Game326.0 18th
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Yards Allowed Per Game303.0 7th
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren saw only four opportunities last week but will hope to be more involved against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Although Warren practiced in full leading up to Pittsburgh's season opener, it's fair to wonder if the team planned to limit his usage in his first game action since returning from a hamstring injury. If the 25-year-old gets additional work on Sunday, he could post solid numbers against a Denver defense that has struggled to stop the run since the beginning of the 2023 campaign. His pass-catching skillset gives him some appeal in PPR formats, but fantasy managers should not consider Warren as anything more than a low-end flex option until they see him split touches more evenly with running mate Najee Harris.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris dominated touches out of the backfield in Week 1 and should be primed for another heavy workload against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Broncos surrendered the third-most fantasy points to running backs in 2023 and the fourth-most to the position just last week. Because Pittsburgh has very few proven weapons in the passing game, it makes sense for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to lean on the run, especially in this matchup. Jaylen Warren is likely to be given more opportunities as he continues to work his way back from injury, but Harris can be counted on as a volume-based RB2 with some touchdown upside against Denver.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is set to make a second consecutive start in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Fields was not asked to do much in last week's season opener but looked solid, completing nearly 74% of his passes. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith finished as the QB7 in Week 1 against the Broncos, who were decimated by Fields in 2023. The former Bear posted arguably the best passing performance of his NFL career when he faced Denver last season, throwing for 335 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. That said, Sunday's contest is projected to be incredibly low-scoring, so fantasy managers would be wise to temper their expectations for Fields and Pittsburgh's offense. Although his rushing ability puts him on the map as a streaming candidate in any format, Fields should be considered a high-end QB2 this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The Michigan product was able to participate in a full practice session on Thursday and looked on track to make his professional debut, but reverted back to a limited session on Friday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. The 23-year-old was held out of the season opener due to an ankle injury he suffered during camp. If the former third-round pick from this year's draft suits up on Sunday, he should operate as the No.3/No.4 option in the Pittsburgh passing attack. If he happens to sit out again, Calvin Austin should have a clear hold on the No.3 spot on Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he will list quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) as questionable for the Week 2 game in Denver against the Broncos. Wilson has been practicing on a limited basis this week, but all signs are pointing to him missing a second straight game to begin his tenure in Pittsburgh after aggravating a calf injury that he dealt with in training camp this summer. Tomlin admitted earlier this week that the team was preparing Justin Fields to start against the Broncos. However, there is a belief that the 35-year-old Wilson will be given the starting job back once he's fully cleared to play in games again, which could come as soon as Week 3 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. We'll know for sure on Sunday morning, but all signs point to Fields starting. The former Chicago Bears QB profiles as a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers.