Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 31st @ 4:05 PM ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Betting Odds: SEA -3.5, 41.5 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: Overcast
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Mason Rudolph (Sit)
On Tuesday, it was all but confirmed that Mason Rudolph was set to get another start this week, despite the rumblings of Kenny Pickett set to be ready to return for his recent ankle surgery. Rudolph was the winning QB under center last week for Pittsburgh against the Bengals, as he completed 17 of 27 attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns. That said, you won’t be deploying Rudolph on Championship weekend.
Running Backs
Najee Harris (Start, FLEX), Jaylen Warren (Start, FLEX)
Entering a Week 17 Final, confidence can be had to deploy both Steelers RBs against a Seattle defense that is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing ‘backs this season. Last week against Cincinnati, Harris turned 19 carries into 78 yards and a rushing score, and while Warren only had 24 yards on eight carries, his five receptions for 30 yards boosted his box score some in PPR leagues.
Last week against the Titans, Seattle allowed a total of 128 rushing yards on 28 carries between Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears, as well as a combined 38 receiving yards on six receptions.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Diontae Johnson (Start, WR3), George Pickens (Start, FLEX), Pat Freiermuth (Sit)
Have a night George Pickens. No doubt an outlier performance, but nonetheless impressive, Pickens caught four of six targets for 195 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals; good for 35+ points in full-PPR formats. With the huge game, Pickens is now over 1000 yards on the year, and could offer FLEX appeal this week if you are in a bind.
Diontae Johnson was quiet against Cincy, which surely hurt some fantasy players last week, but he’ll look to bounce back against Seattle. Johnson has yet to reach the century mark in a game this year, but entering Week 16, he had scored in the three-straight; so he has had a knack for finding the end zone in recent weeks despite the yardage totals not being there.
Pat Friermuth hasn’t been fantasy-relevant most of this season, and that trend continued last week as he goosed against the Bengals. He’ll remain off the streaming radar against the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Geno Smith (Start, QB2)
Geno Smith returned to action last week after missing two games with a groin injury, and he was productive in the win against Tennessee. He completed 25 of his 36 attempts for 227 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers’ defense is not shy about getting to the quarterback, as T.J. Watt is the NFL’s current sack leader entering the game. With Seattle looking to keep its playoff hopes alive, Smith offers streaming appeal as a QB2 on the week.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III (Start, FLEX)
Kenneth Walker III disappointed against the Titans, as he had only 54 scoreless yards on 16 carries. The task won’t get much easier against a Steelers defense that just held Joe Mixon to 43 yards on 11 carries. Walker offers FLEX appeal with RB2 upside as per our sites’ rankings; FLEX is a 6-12 point finish, with RB2 in a range of 12-18 fantasy points.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DK Metcalf (Start, WR2), Tyler Lockett (Start, FLEX), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Start, FLEX), Noah Fant (Sit)
DK Metcalf enters Week 17 two yards shy of his third 1000+ receiving-yard season in his career. He has 60 receptions on 105 targets, and eight touchdowns to his name. He’ll remain on the WR2 radar this week, whereas fellow WR’s Tyler Lockett and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba can offer FLEX appeal if you find the need to have either receiver in your lineup.
Lockett is coming off an 11-target game against the Titans in which he caught eight of those looks for 81 yards, and JSN caught six of seven targets for 61 yards.
Tight end Noah Fant tied his season-high total in targets with five last week, but remains to not have any fantasy relevancy this season.
Engram a TE2? He’s #4 scorer in PPR league.
Its not based on what he has done but what we project for him this week. TE range is 5-9.90 points. With Lawrence as questionable, there is reason to believe that Engram might not be as productive as usual. He has been in the TE2 range six times this year
You don’t think gamescript and check downs in the passing game can offer Achane flex appeal with high upside? Especially with waddle out and mostert not 100%.
Every writer has a different read on perceived gamescript, etc. Personally, I’m of the mindset that Achane should outscore Mostert this weekend. However, a tough Baltimore defense limits the ceiling for both, in my eyes. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Do yall think Zeke will outscore Singletary in a non PPR format?
In full PPR, I definitely prefer Zeke…much tougher call in standard formats. I’m torn; Zeke’s snap share is so incredibly high that it’s hard to ignore the sheer volume he’ll see. It comes down to projected gamescript for me. I like the Bills to roll the Pats, and I think Singletary will have a much easier time against TEN with Stroud under center than he did vs CLE last week with Keenum at the helm. I’ll give Singletary my endorsement here. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Appreciate the insight. Same thinking on my end. Just see the Pats getting stomped and not having enough time of possession for Zeke to do enough. If I win it’ll be my 4th year in a row to win my home league. Using this site as my primary source!
Been riding Tua all season. Seriously considering benching him for Carr. Is that crazy?
i started lamar jackson, ur dum