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Welcome to Week 14. The Steelers face a division rival that they thoroughly despise in the shape of the Cincinnati Bengals. Some leagues are kicking off their playoffs this week, while others are making their final push to be included in their fantasy postseason and others are are playing for mere posterity or draft order. Many fantasy rosters have a black and gold hue to them, so here are suggestions of what Steelers you should start and which ones to sit.
Keep in mind that fantasy numbers were averaged using stats from ESPN Fantasy, Yahoo Fantasy and NFL.com Fantasy.
QB Ben Roethlisberger
Week 13 Passing Stats: 24/39 364 yards 4 TD/0 INT
2015 Passing Stats: 201/305 yards 2707 yards 65.9% 15 TD/9 INT
Average Position Rank: 22
2015 Average Total Points: 163.8
2015 Average Points Per Game: 20.5
Week 13 Average Points: 33.3
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 18.1
Verdict: Start
Analysis: Roethlisberger is in the zone and is getting a second chance against Cincinnati after a rough first game earlier in the season. He was just getting back from injury and wasn't on point. Now he's hitting on all cylinders. His receivers are getting open and he is not having any trouble finding them and getting them the ball. With the secondary of Cincy depleted by injury, look for Ben to binge on the Bengals.
RB Deangelo Williams
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 26 carries/134 yards 5.2 ypc/0 TD
2015 Rushing Stats: 141 carries/691 yards 4.9 ypc/6 TD
Week 13 Receiving Stats: 6 targets/5 receptions/31 yards 6.0 ypc
2015 Receiving Stats: 31 targets/25 receptions/256 yards 10.2 ypc
Average Position Rank: 9
2015 Average Total Points: 138.8
2015 Average Points Per Game: 11.6
Week 13 Average Points: 32.2
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 13.5
Verdict: Start
Analysis: Cincy has a tough run defense, but D-Will is running well and will get his fair share of the load. He is the #9 back in all of fantasy and hardly carried the ball when Lev Bell was healthy. If he had a full season as starter, he would probably be listed among the top backs in the league.
WR Antonio Brown
Week 13 Receiving Stats: 11 targets/8 receptions/118 yards 14.8 ypc/2 TD
2015 Receiving Stats: 137 targets/93 receptions/1,310 yards 14.1 ypc/7 TD
Average Position Rank: 1
2015 Average Total Points: 211.7
2015 Average Points Per Game: 17.6
Week 13 Average Points: 32.2
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 17.9
Verdict: Start
Analysis: Even though he only gained only 47 yards against Cincinnati last time out, the Bengals are depleted in the secondary and AB is at full throttle. Plus, don't you think Antonio wants revenge?
WR Martavis Bryant
Week 13 Receiving Stats: 8 targets/4 receptions/114 yards 28.67 ypc/1 TD
2015 Receiving Stats: 63 targets/31 receptions/623 yards 20.1 ypc/6 TD
Average Position Rank: 27
2015 Average Total Points: 114.8
2015 Average Points Per Game: 14.4
Week 13 Average Points: 18.6
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 13.0
Verdict: Start
Analysis: At this point, it's a surprise when he doesn't reach the end zone. He's a top-tier fantasy WR1. If you're wondering whether to start him or not, you're probably loaded at wide receiver or simply loaded.
WR Markus Wheaton
Week 13 Receiving Stats: 6 targets/3 receptions/50 yards 16.7 ypc/1 TD
2015 Receiving Stats: 51 targets/28 receptions/524 yards 18.7 ypc/3 TD
Average Position Rank: 52
2015 Average Total Points: 80.8
2015 Average Points Per Game: 6.2
Week 13 Average Points: 11.9
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 5.2
Verdict: Start
Analysis: Markus has enjoyed a rebirth as of late and is finally starting to take advantage of this being his contract year. Roethlisberger trusts him and with tons of attention being paid to Brown and Bryant, Wheaton will get his due. He's a good flex option this week and for the remainder of the season.
TE Heath Miller
Week 13 Receiving Stats: DNP
2015 Receiving Stats: 56 targets/39 receptions 390 yards 10 ypc/1 TD
Average Position Rank: 23
2015 Average Total Points: 58.6
2015 Average Points Per Game: 4.9
Week 13 Average Points: DNP
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 8
Verdict: Sit
Analysis: Even though Miller had 105 yards on 10 catches against Cincinnati on 11/1, he has banged up ribs and rates as a TE2 this week.
K Chris Boswell
Week 13 Kicking Stats: Field Goals 3/4 75% Extra Points 4/4 100%
2015 Kicking Stats: Field Goals 20/22 90.9% Extra Points 15/16 93.8%
Average Position Rank: 21
2015 Average Total Points: 82
2015 Average Points Per Game: 10
Week 13 Average Points: 15
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 7
Verdict: Start
Analysis: The Steelers penchant for stalling in the Red Zone has been giving Boswell opportunities as of late. He's worth the start.
Steelers D/ST
Week 13 Defense/Special Teams Stats
Week 13 Total Yards Allowed: 240
Week 13 Rushing Yards Allowed: 54
Week 13 Passing Yards Allowed: 186
Week 13 Sacks: 5
Week 13 Forced Fumbles/Fumble Recoveries: 1/2
Week 13 Interceptions: 2
Week 13 Kick Returns/Yards/YPR/Touchdowns: 1/19 19.0 YPR/0 TD
Week 13 Punt Returns/Yards/YPR/Touchdowns: 3/74 24.9 YPR/1TD
2015 Points Allowed: 20.0 PPG (#7-Tied)
2015 Total Yards Allowed: 365.8 YPG (#22)
2015 Rushing Yards Allowed: 90.3 YPG (#6)
2015 Passing Yards Allowed: 275.5 YPG (#29)
2015 Sacks: 35 (#3-Tied)
2015 Forced Fumbles/Fumble Recoveries: 18/13
2015 Interceptions: 11 (#11-tied)
2015 Kick Returns/Yards/Touchdowns: 24/596 24.8 YPR/0 TD
2015 Punt Returns/Yards/Touchdowns: 21/200 9.5 YPR/1 TD
Average Position Rank: 8
2015 Average Total Points: 93
2015 Average Points Per Game: 7.8
Week 13 Average Points: 21
Week 14 Average Projected Points: 4.9
Verdict: Sit
Analysis: Dalton, Green, Bernard, Hill, Eifert, Sanu and Jones. With the offensive fire power of the Bengals, not a solid play this week.