Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) didn't officially practice this week and was ruled out for Saturday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens for the third straight game, but he is running and did make an effort to be cleared this week. The Steelers are optimistic that Pickens will be ready to go next Wednesday on Christmas Day to face the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old picked the worst possible time to miss games for fantasy managers relying on him in the postseason, but he could be back next week to resume his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout. If Pickens is active next week, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed not to throw him back in their starting lineups, even in a tough matchup against the Chiefs' stingy defense. Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams have done little in Pickens' absence, with tight end Pat Freiermuth being the biggest beneficiary.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.

Despite what could be additional opportunity, fantasy managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson in a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Top Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens (hamstring) missed the previous two contests and is out again against Baltimore, but that hasn't really led to much for Jefferson, who had two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in those two games despite playing the majority of the offensive snaps. The Ravens rank 31st against fantasy wide receivers, but it's tough to trust the journeyman to be a beneficiary. Managers holding Pickens should look elsewhere for a backup plan.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was somewhat quiet last week but remains one of the most reliable fantasy options at his position ahead of a Week 16 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Back in Week 11, Boswell single-handedly defeated Baltimore on the scoreboard, nailing all six of his field goal attempts in the 18-16 victory. Saturday's contest will take place in Pittsburgh, where Boswell averages three field goals made per game. With George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for a third straight week, the Steelers could struggle offensively and may be forced to again lean on their defense and the steady leg of Boswell. Fantasy managers should feel confident deploying Boswell in this divisional bout.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has scored in three straight games and will look to take advantage of a juicy matchup against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. The Ravens surrender the most passing yards in the league and the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Freiermuth has seen an uptick in his opportunities lately with George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined. He should continue to get plenty of looks from quarterback Russell Wilson on Saturday as Pickens will once again be inactive. Fantasy managers who have been streaming the position or searching for a consistent option can start Freiermuth as a low-end TE1 with upside this week.