Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 3rd @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Betting Odds: PIT -5.5, 41 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray (Start, QB2)
Week 12 saw another loss for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, but his fantasy output was not an issue. He had a season-high (albeit three total games) 45 attempts, completing 27 of those for 256 yards and a touchdown. Murray barely used his legs in this one, having only recorded one carry, but it was a rushing score that helped stat-pad his day. Pittsburgh is allowing the 24th most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season, and just held Jake Browning to 227 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The difference is here, Muray is not Browning, and can be considered a fine streaming option with the likes of Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen both on BYE.
Running Backs
James Conner (Start, FLEX)
Since coming back from injury in Week 10, James Conner has failed to rush for over 75 yards in any game, nor has he found the end zone; in fact, he hasn’t had a touchdown since Week 3. It’s been a down few weeks, and season overall for Conner, but he is set to face his former team in Pittsburgh that is allowing the 15th-most fantasy points to RBs this season. He’s on the FLEX radar (6-12 points per our site’s projections), considering the fact that the Steelers just held Joe Mixon to 16 yards on eight carries last week.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Marquise Brown (Start, WR3), Greg Dortch (Start, FLEX), Rondale Moore (Sit), Trey McBride (Start, TE2)
Marquise Brown is coming off his best game last week since Week 8. Against the Rams, Hollywood caught six of 12 targets for 88 scoreless yards. He’ll look to improve his output with Murray getting more acclimated into the offense, and is set to face a Steelers defense that is allowing an average of 236 passing yards per game.
With Michael Wilson continuing to trend towards missing yet another game with his re-aggravated shoulder injury, and Rondale Moore just ineffective, Greg Dortch (a part-time 2022 fantasy darling) could be in line for an increased target share. Since Week 11, Dortch has totaled nine catches on 17 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown. If you are in the mood for a dart throw at FLEX, Dortch could be your guy.
Trey McBride is coming off a 7-for-60 yard game against the Rams last week, and will remain a viable streaming option; this week & the rest of the season. McBride has 25 total targets since Week 10.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett (Sit)
Matt Canada finally got the axe, and Kenny Pickett went on to throw for 278 yards in the win against Cincinnati last week. He had no touchdowns through the air or on the ground, and turned five carries into just five yards. The increased yardage is a welcomed change, as it was the most he threw for all season, but Pickett hasn’t thrown a touchdown since Week 9. Pickett could break that streak this week against a Cardinals defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs on the year, but it’s worth noting he is dealing with an ankle injury that will limit him at practice. In any case, Pickett is not a recommended streaming option.
Running Backs
Najee Harris (Start, RB2), Jaylen Warren (Start, RB2)
Last week, it was Najee Harris who led the Steelers backfield in production. He turned 15 carries into 99 yards and a touchdown; one more yard would have been his first 100-yard game of the season. It’s anyone’s guess between Harris & Jaylen Warren on who will have the better day, considering Warren was on a heater, but is coming off a 13 for 49 game against the Bengals. With the Cardinals allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season, consider the two ‘backs a viable option this week, as they could both have productive days.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Diontae Johnson (Start, WR3), George Pickens (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Start, TE2)
Diontae Johnson has 16 targets between Weeks 11 and 12, but it was his lack of urgency last week that was the highlight of his game.
Johnson has since spoken to the team, owning up to the gaffe, and will look to get back into good graces against the Cardinals. He’s yet to amass 100 yards in any game this season, and has just one touchdown on the year.
Entering Week 12, reports surfaced that George Pickens was expected to be a focal point in a post-Canada offense, but he was only targeted five times, catching three passes for 58 yards. Perhaps the target share will increase this week, but consider Pickens a start-if-you-must FLEX option, otherwise, you should sit him if you can afford to do so.
The ‘Muth got loose against the Bengals last week. Pat Freiermuth posted a season-high performance, and career-best showing with nine receptions on 11 targets for 120 yards. A popular waiver add with the likes of Dalton Kincaid, T.J. Hockenson, and Cole Kmet on BYE, Freiermuth will be a viable streaming option this week.