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 For24.9 12th
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Points Against20.4 7th
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Yards Per Game326.0 18th
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Yards Allowed Per Game317.0 8th
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris managed just 14 rushing yards on six carries and hauled in his only target for a seven-yard gain in a 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Although fantasy managers cannot be pleased with this performance, Harris' output would have been even worse had he been credited with a lost fumble on a dropped toss from quarterback Russell Wilson. This turnover, which occurred in Philadelphia territory, arguably cost the Steelers the game as they trailed by just one touchdown in the third quarter before coughing the ball up. Harris' lack of touches can mostly be attributed to the fact that Pittsburgh never led on the scoreboard and only possessed the ball twice in the second half. Unfortunately, Harris has another difficult matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown while adding four carries for 13 yards on the ground in a Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilson was also credited with a lost fumble on a toss dropped by running back Najee Harris. For the second consecutive week, Wilson failed to eclipse 200 passing yards without his top target George Pickens (hamstring) in the lineup. He did manage to find tight end Pat Freiermuth for a nine-yard score near the end of the second quarter but was otherwise quiet for fantasy purposes. Pittsburgh had just two offensive drives in the second half as Philadelphia dominated the time of possession and kept Wilson off the field. The 12th-year pro will hope to contribute more in a Week 16 divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
With Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) being ruled out for a second straight game, Van Jefferson will have an increased role again in a Week 15 battle on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the Week 14 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns last week with Pickens sidelined, Jefferson played a team-high 74 percent of the offensive snaps, but it resulted in just one catch on one target for a 10-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season. The 28-year-old pass-catcher will no doubt be on the field plenty this weekend in Philly, but expecting him to put up fantasy relevant numbers is unrealistic in Pittsburgh's low-volume passing attack against an Eagles defense that has been stingy against pass-catchers in 2024. Jefferson has caught only four of six targets in the last three weeks.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams should once again be more involved in the offense in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with George Pickens (hamstring) missing a second straight game. However, Williams still won't be recommended as a starting fantasy play in most formats in the first round of the playoffs this week in most leagues. The 30-year-old big-bodied deep threat played only 29% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Browns with Pickens out, but he did see his most targets (four) in his fifth game with the team and caught three passes for 36 yards. Pittsburgh could be facing limited passing volume for the second straight week on the road in a hostile environment against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers this year. Williams is no more than a desperation flex play that will most likely burn you.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III is not a reliable fantasy option for Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though fellow receiver George Pickens (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday, Austin isn't a leading candidate to claim the bulk of his vacated opportunities. For proof, look no further than last Sunday when Pickens was sidelined and Austin still played just 35 percent of the offensive snaps, catching one pass for four yards. Rather than looking to Austin to fill in for Pickens, managers seeking flex production in deep leagues may be better off adding someone like Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, or Mike Williams. Austin should be benched in most formats ahead of Sunday, especially as he takes on an Eagles defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2024.