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 wide receiver George Pickens caught six of seven targets for 85 yards and lost 10 yards on his lone rush attempt in an 18-10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons. There was no doubt that Pickens would operate as Pittsburgh's WR1 entering the season, but fantasy managers should be glad to see him succeed in this role immediately. The 23-year-old earned a 30% team target share with Justin Fields under center and was responsible for most of the Steelers' offensive highlights. He should be viewed as a solid fantasy WR2 going forward with the potential to become more should Pittsburgh correct its red zone woes. A matchup against the Denver Broncos is on tap for Week 2.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris handled 20 carries for 70 yards and hauled in one of his two targets for nine yards in a Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Harris operated in a workhorse role on Sunday but should expect to lose some touches to Jaylen Warren, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, as the season progresses. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old Harris looked solid, especially on a powerful run that picked up 20 yards in the fourth quarter. However, Pittsburgh's offense will need to find a way to get the ball in the end zone for Harris to become a worthwhile fantasy option, making it difficult to trust him as anything more than a flex play heading into a Week 2 bout with the Denver Broncos.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields completed 17 of 23 pass attempts for 156 yards and added 57 rushing yards on 14 carries in an 18-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers were conservative in their play calling on Sunday, but Fields delivered when asked to push the ball downfield. He completed passes of 33 and 40 yards to receiver George Pickens, who was clearly his favorite target. His statistics were underwhelming from a fantasy perspective this week but Fields will continue to offer high upside as a fantasy QB1 option any time he starts. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of Russell Wilson (calf) in the coming days ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is officially inactive for Week 1 on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. There were conflicting reports throughout the week on whether Wilson would make his Steelers debut this weekend after he was given a questionable tag on Friday's final injury report. Head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to think Wilson was fine earlier in the week, but team trainers have taken a more cautious approach to the veteran signal-caller after he dealt with an injury to the same calf during training camp. It's unclear if Wilson will start in Week 2 on the road against his former team, the Denver Broncos in Week 2, but the Steelers could have some QB controversy on their hands early on if Justin Fields performs well in the Week 1 opener against Atlanta. Kyle Allen will serve as Fields' backup on Sunday with Wilson out.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. This means that Russell Wilson (calf), who had been listed as questionable, will either be inactive or only available off the bench in an emergency situation. While Wilson won the starting job out of camp, it was not an easy decision for the Steelers, who are confident in both quarterbacks' abilities to start in the NFL. Fields can elevate the offense with his rushing poise; he's rushed for 1,800 yards over his last two seasons (28 games). His rushing upside vaults him into the low-end QB1 tier this year, but managers should remember that he can be susceptible to turnovers.