Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell will go on the road to take on the New York Giants in Week 18. Top back D'Andre Swift (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season finale but will likely be good to go. Gainwell would become the No. 1 back was Swift to miss and become a solid flex option. However, if Swift is active, the 24-year-old backup will not see enough work to be fantasy-relevant. While Gainwell has been more involved on passing downs as of late, he averaged just 6.3 touches per game over the past month. Swift gets the majority of carries, while quarterback Jalen Hurts scores the majority of goal-line touchdowns via the Brotherly Shove. Gainwell will only be a viable flex for those in need if Swift were to miss.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell had a quiet game in the 35-31 upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. He finished the Week 17 contest with only two carries for five yards while catching all four of his targets in the passing game for 15 yards. It came despite playing a team-high 53 percent of the offensive snaps. Backfield mate D'Andre Swift played 47 percent of the snaps and had a team-high 13 carries for 61 yards, adding a five-yard reception. The highlight for the 24-year-old Gainwell was completing the first pass of his career, a 17-yard hookup with receiver DeVonta Smith. Gainwell just isn't seeing enough volume as a complementary back behind Swift to be fantasy relevant on a weekly basis, but he could get more run in the Week 18 regular season finale against the New York Giants if the Eagles decide to rest Swift and some of the other starters.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Mason Rudolph will make a third straight start in Week 18 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, while also noting that Kenny Pickett's (ankle) health isn't in question. Rudolph looked good again in the 30-23 Week 17 win on the road in Seattle over the Seahawks on Sunday, going 18-for-24 for 274 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. While it wasn't really all that notable from a fantasy perspective, the 28-year-old has now led the Steelers to two important wins in a row and will keep the starting gig for the regular season finale despite the fact that Pickett has recovered from ankle surgery. Pittsburgh will likely continue to lean on their ground game and defense, making Rudolph a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues that will still be playing for something in Week 18.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf led the team in receiving yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, gaining 106 yards on five catches. This was Metcalf's third 100-yard game in 15 played this season. The receptions tied him with tight end Noah Fant and running back Zach Charbonnet for the team lead and his eight targets were the most seen by a Seahawk in Week 17. Metcalf was responsible for some big gains in the contest, catching passes for 33, 32, and 21 yards. He also incurred an obvious holding penalty in the third quarter which negated a 24-yard rush by Kenneth Walker III (shoulder). Metcalf was a consistent contributor in fantasy in 2023 but rarely delivered on the high expectations commanded by his role and skillset. The Seahawks play the Arizona Cardinals next, where Metcalf will likely put up another WR2/3 finish for fantasy managers playing on through Week 18.