Steelers Vs. Chiefs: Fantasy Outlook
By Justin Roem
Something has to give this week as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field. Both teams are playing for their postseason lives.
The Chiefs are only allowing about eighteen points a game, while the Steelers are scoring an average of almost thirty. On the road, the Chiefs defense only allows a few more points than their total average, but at home, the Steelers offense scores about a touchdown better than their total average.
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The Steelers definitely have the advantage when it comes to scoring. That scoring is likely to come from Le’Veon Bell, who has scored six of his seven rushing touchdowns over the last four games (he has also amassed eight hundred thirty scrimmage yards in that span).The elite runner faces the twenty-eighth ranked run defense in the NFL. Not only has Bell proven to be one of the best fantasy options out there, he is performing when it matters most.
Like Bell, Antonio Brown has been a rare fantasy player about which no decisions need to be made. He starts. No matter what. Teams have not found a way to limit Brown’s production.
Ben Roethlisberger plays well at home, and he is coming off of a few very efficient games. However, he will be tested by the number two pass defense and one of the best group of pass rushers in the NFL. He played well last week, but I cannot imagine that he won many fantasy playoff games for his owners. We could see some of the same against the Chiefs.
Martavis Bryant was involved in two memorable plays last week. One was when he threw a block for Le’Veon Bell on a great run from a short catch, and the other was a long pass, which he could have caught for a touchdown, but did not. It definitely would not have been an easy catch, but one of those plays that debilitates a team if made. Bryant’s production is at the whim of the few chances he gets to make a play down the field each game. Likely too risky for the fantasy playoffs. Though the gamble could payoff.
The Chiefs have faced Peyton Manning (twice), Philip Rivers, and Tom Brady and kept all of them under three hundred yards passing. This hurts Roethlisberger’s prospects this week as well as those of his targets. Brown is the only one that is a definite start.
As far as the Chiefs go, look to their runners. Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis are the best weapons that this offense has. Charles is close to one thousand yards rushing on the season and has averaged over five yards per carry. Davis proved last week that he is just as much of a threat, bringing his lone reception seventy yards for a score. The Steelers will have their hands full with this pair, especially with many of their linebackers working through or back from injuries.
With a win, the Steelers can lock up a playoff spot. Expect the Steelers’ stars to be plenty motivated to perform at Heinz Field on Sunday.