Sit/Start 2023 Week 15: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Saturday, December 16th @ 4:30 PM ET

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Betting Odds: IND -3, 42 total via PFF.com

Network: CBS

Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback

Mitch Trubisky (Sit)

On Monday, Kenny Pickett was ruled out for the upcoming Saturday tilt against the Colts, which gives Mitch Trubisky another start for the Steelers. In last week’s loss to New England, Trubisky actually put out a solid fantasy day, having completed 22 of 35 attempts for 190 yards, a touchdown, and an interception; adding eight carries for 30 yards and a rushing score. Even so, you aren’t going to entrust Trubisky as a streaming option in what should be the first week of playoffs for many.

Running Backs

Najee Harris (Start, FLEX), Jaylen Warren (Sit)

Going into Week 14, the matchup against the Patriots was always going to be tough for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, which proved true. Harris turned 12 carries into just 29 scoreless yards, adding three receptions on three targets for 19 yards. Warren only had seven carries and rushed for 11 yards, with four receptions on five targets for 29. It was Warren’s weakest game on the ground this season, and after weeks of outperforming Harris, the tides may be turning back in Najee’s favor.

The plus side this week is that the Colts are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this week. If there was a ‘back worth starting from the Steelers at this stage, side with Harris out of the two.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Diontae Johnson (Start if you must, WR3), George Pickens (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Sit)

Diontae Johnson enters Week 15 having scored in back-to-back games, but he has still failed to amass over 100 yards in a game this season. Johnson led the Steelers wideouts in targets and yards last week, and brace for that to repeat against the Colts. George Pickens caught five of six targets against the Patriots, however, they went for 19 scoreless yards. Pickens has been a disappointment this season, and his head coach Mike Tomlin has certainly noticed that poor play. According to AToZSports:

Pickens actions on Thursday night were just the latest in a string of frustrations that have occurred throughout the season.

Most notably, Pickens was seen not celebrating with teammates after Diontae Johnson’s TD against the Titans, and followed that up by scrubbing his social media of anything that tied him to the Steelers.

Coach Tomlin did his best to defend Pickens then, but he changed his tune after Thursday’s display:

“It’s a problem,” Coach Tomlin told reporters when asked about Pickens’ behavior. “It’s a problem because it’s not solution-oriented. We’re all frustrated. But we’ve got to manage our frustrations in a professional, mature way. And when it’s not done that way, it’s not necessarily pushing us toward solutions….

“…Frustration is a natural human response. But I’m also completely comfortable asking these guys to do unnatural things, because they’re professional athletes. That’s our job, to do the unique things and make it look regular, to make it look ordinary.”

Pickens has cemented himself to fantasy benches at this point in the year.

Pat Freiermuth may have been on the receiving end of a 2-PT conversion against the Patriots, but that was the highlight of his Thursday night. He was targeted seven times, catching three of those looks for 18 yards. It’s no surprise that Trubisky holds back the offense, which makes it hard to deploy the ‘Muth.

Indianapolis Colts

Quarterback

Gardner Minshew (Sit)

Gardner Minshew put in a disappointing performance against the Bengals last week, completing 26 of 39 attempts for 240 yards, a touchdown, and an interception; also adding a successful 2-PT conversion to his box score. The Steelers’ pass rush won’t make his life any better this week, which means Minshew can be left on the wire.

Running Backs

Zack Moss (Start, FLEX)

As of writing, Jonathan Taylor is likely not set to return to action this week as he recovers from his thumb surgery, which opens the path for Zack Moss to continue to own the Indy backfield. Since taking over – again – Moss hasn’t thrived like he did earlier in the season. Against Cincy, he turned 13 carries into 28 yards, but did add four receptions (on eight targets, which is encouraging) for another 28 yards. The volume will be there for Moss against an inconsistent Steelers run defense, but brace for a FLEX finish, which projects in the 6-12 point range per our site’s rankings.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Michael Pittman Jr. (Start, WR2), Josh Downs (Sit), Mo Alie-Cox (Sit)

Michael Pittman Jr. remains red-hot. Since Week 12, he has seen no less than 11 targets, and is averaging 102 yards per game in that span. He’ll remain on the high-end, WR2 radar, whereas rookie Josh Downs has fallen off the radar over the last month.

Mo Alie-Cox did find the end zone against the Bengals last week, but it was off his lone target and reception of the game. He is not a recommended stream against Pittsburgh.