The Pittsburgh Steelers roll into Week 13 at 5-5-1 desperately trying to stay in the playoff race and keep their heads above water. Arguably the NFL’s greatest rivalry will be renewed Sunday as the Baltimore Ravens come to town. The Steelers come into Week 13 struggling in nearly all phases. The defense has given up 76 points over the last two weeks, and the offense was held to only 10 points last week in a road divisional game @ Cincinnati. The good news for the Steelers? This Ravens defense can be exposed as they’ve given up 30+ points in three games (and 29 points once). As we get into the last week of the fantasy regular season, or the week before last, who you're starting or sitting becomes even more important!
Must Starts for Week 13
1) Diontae Johnson
Dionate Johnson has shown all year why he continues to be a set it and forget it fantasy WR1. Johnson has eclipsed at least 15 fantasy points in all but three games this season and is ranked WR15 after missing a game as well. The Ravens have given up the 4th most passing yards in the NFL to date, so Johnson should see plenty of work as the Steelers try to get back on the winning track.
2) Najee Harris
Najee remains a set it and forget it as well even coming off his 2nd worst fantasy output of the year, in front of only his NFL debut in Week 1. The Steelers struggled to get any kind of offense going Sunday in Cincinnati, as the whole team looked flat with no energy both ways. Najee will continue to play a key role in the Steelers offense if they want to make a late season push for the playoffs. Fantasy owners of Najee should expect to see him involved early and often.
3) Pat Freiermuth
Muuuuuuuuth is coming off back-to-back 11+ point games and has a touchdown in 4 of his last 5 games. Freiermuth has moved into the Must Start category for a multitude of reasons:
- His increased role in the offense since Week 6. He's had at least 6 targets in every game until last week.
- The loss of Eric Ebron. Without Ebron to eat up Freiermuth's targets or snaps, his workload should remain steady.
- He is TE #11 on the year overall in the NFL. Without having much of a role in the Steelers offense before Week 6, Freiermuth still ranks 11th in fantasy for the position, showing just how thin the TE position is in fantasy.
Optimistic Plays
1) Chase Claypool
Claypool has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride of a sophomore season. Claypool has managed to have double digits in every game except three. The problem lies with the fact of, he has only eclipsed 15 fantasy points 2 times, and has somehow only caught 1 touchdown all season, all the way back in Week 5. Claypool looks to get on a more consistent track to help this Steelers offense get back where they want to be. He is the definition of an optimistic play this week with Baltimore coming to town.
2) Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben had his best game fantasy wise and in-game wise Week 11 in Los Angeles before struggling mightily in Week 12. Ben turned the ball over 3 times Sunday after not having a single turnover since Week 6, the Sunday Night Football game vs the Seattle Seahawks. He surpassed 20 fantasy points for the first time all season in Week 11, only to fail to reach 10 fantasy points for just the 2nd time all season in Week 12. Ben looks to rebound in a major way after news was leaked Saturday all but confirming the inevitable, this seems to be 7’s last stretch of football. Big Ben continues to be a streaming option in deeper two-QB leagues, unless you believe the old cowboy has a little something up his sleeve for his last hoorah. Now let’s jump right into some projections!
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My Projections (PPR)
(QB) Ben Roethlisberger – 14.5 pts
(RB) Najee Harris – 15.0 pts
(WR) Diontae Johnson – 18.5 pts
(WR) Chase Claypool – 10.5
(WR) James Washington – 6.5 pts
(TE) Pat Freiermuth – 11.0 pts
Any projections or outlook you disagree or even strongly agree with? We want to hear from you! Let us know in the comment section below how your fantasy season is going and who on the Steelers has helped your team or let you down, and what Steelers are you starting this week?
#SteelerNation
