Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
-3.5% 21stOff DVOA
-
18.8% 16thPassing DVOA
-
-8.8% 19thRushing DVOA
-
-6% 10thDef DVOA
-
3.4% 12thDef Passing DVOA
-
-19.2% 7thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
-
Points For25.2 10th
-
Points Against18.4 5th
-
Yards Per Game326.0 18th
-
Yards Allowed Per Game303.0 7th
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is "more likely" to start against the Atlanta Falcons than Russell Wilson (calf), according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Steelers will still evaluate Wilson prior to kickoff, leaving the door open for him to play. He believes he's healthy enough to suit up, but Pittsburgh may opt to hold him out. Specifically, Rapoport notes that the Steelers like to be cautious with calf injuries. In the event that Fields is confirmed as the starter, he'd rank as a mid-range QB2 with upside.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) plans to play in Sunday's matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. However, team doctors are pumping the brakes on his plans, with Schefter adding that a "final decision" will be made on Sunday morning. ESPN's Brooke Pryor also reported that Wilson will test his ailing calf during pregame warm-ups, but he's been doing anything imaginable to feel his best. Wilson will potentially debut with the Steelers in Week 1 after a subpar tenure with the Denver Broncos. Yet, he was limited during training camp, and with the possibility of residual issues caused by the injury, fantasy managers may want to look in another direction for a starting quarterback on Sunday. The same will be true if backup Justin Fields ends up under center.
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams will take on the San Francisco 49ers on the road to kick off his 2024 season. Williams appeared in just three games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season before he tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the year. That being said, he was off to a hot start before the injury, racking up 249 receiving yards in his three games before getting hurt. Williams will slot in as the No. 2 receiver for the Jets opposite Garrett Wilson and could return WR3 value in fantasy in some weeks. The 49ers don't pose a particularly tough matchup for Williams as they allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game to receivers in 2023. Treat Williams as a solid flex option for Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is traveling with the team to Atlanta despite being listed as questionable on the injury report. Wilson is dealing with tightness in the same calf he injured during training camp. He was limited in practice over the final two days of the week, leading to the questionable designation on the final injury report. While his availability for the game remains uncertain, he will at least be present with the team. If Wilson cannot play, the Steelers will turn to Justin Fields, who has a 10-28 record as an NFL starter. Fields, who competed with Wilson during training camp and preseason, was named the backup for Week 1 but now has an opportunity to prove himself as the potential full-time starter. The Steelers are set to face the Falcons on Sunday, and the inactives list, including the final decision on Wilson's status, will be released about an hour and a half before kickoff. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' quarterback situation, relying on any Steelers quarterback in fantasy leagues this Sunday may be risky, regardless of who starts.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was extremely steady in 2023 and will hope to find success against the Atlanta Falcons in the first contest of his 10th professional season. Atlanta allowed nearly 22 points per game and gave up the third-most fantasy points to opposing kickers last year. Boswell could provide fantasy value in this matchup, but it is difficult to predict how the Steelers will fare in their first game under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and with quarterback Russell Wilson's (calf) status in limbo. Boswell can be considered in a pinch but fantasy managers would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with Pittsburgh's offense.