Game Info
Kickoff: Wednesday, December 25th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Network: Netflix
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes II: Sit, QB2
It’s maybe a little pessimistic to label Patrick Mahomes II a sit on Christmas Day, but he does fall outside of my top 12 QBs this week thanks to a tough matchup on the road with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers allow the third-fewest points to opposing QBs, and Mahomes hasn’t exactly delivered consistently from a fantasy perspective. His 23.7 points last week were just the third time he’s eclipsed 20 points all season, and before that, Mahomes had three straight finishes outside of the top 12 against some beatable defenses. If you drafted him, you might not have a better choice, but the matchup and Mahomes’ track record this season make this a recommended sit for me, especially on a short week of rest.
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco: FLEX Option, RB3
Kareem Hunt: FLEX Option, RB3
I’m labeling both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt as potential low-end RB3s this week, but the best practice would be to leave both out of your lineup. The backfield split has been predictably frustrating since Pacheco’s return from a broken fibula, but it is wise for Kansas City to ramp him up slowly as they chase a third consecutive Super Bowl. Hunt did return some modest value last week, but he looks almost entirely juiceless and is mostly there to help shoulder the load while Pacheco gets back to full steam ahead. These are two low-floor, low-ceiling options right now that probably won’t help you win a fantasy championship this week.
Wide Receiver
Xavier Worthy: FLEX Option, WR3
DeAndre Hopkins: FLEX Option, WR4
That’s back-to-back games with 11 targets, 3 carries, and a touchdown for Xavier Worthy, who is emerging as the top option in the Chiefs’ wide receiver room. There is some boom/bust volatility with Worthy just based on his profile, but he’s a high-upside FLEX option, thanks to the Chiefs consistently looking to get him high-value touches. The Steelers are a middle-of-the-road defense against opposing WRs, but they allow 150 yards per game to receivers, and Worthy should have plenty of chances to return value. The same can’t be said for DeAndre Hopkins, who hasn’t played 60% of snaps since Week 10 and has only broken 40 receiving yards once in the last six weeks. If you start Hopkins, you’re likely looking at a dud unless he finds the end zone, and even then, the ceiling isn’t very high.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: Start, TE1
Noah Gray: Sit, TE2
This one shouldn’t be too tricky–or is it? Travis Kelce hasn’t finished higher than the weekly TE12 since Week 10, which is the last time he caught a touchdown. So, where have all of those TDs been going? Well, Noah Gray has certainly been siphoning plenty of them, finding the end zone five times in that same span. Still, Kelce is the one getting the more reliable target volume, and that matters at this position. The no-doubt top-5 status is no longer there–Kelce is probably more of a mid-to-back-end TE1 in Week 17–but he should still be started unless you somehow have another top-tier option. For the record, I would play Jonnu Smith over Kelce this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: Sit, QB2
The QB matchup on the other side isn’t fantastic either, as Russell Wilson has also been a fairly unreliable fantasy asset in 2024. Much of his viability against the Chiefs will hinge on whether or not George Pickens can suit up. If Pickens plays, Russ would have some viability in Superflex leagues but would still be a recommended sit in single-QB formats. The rushing upside just isn’t there anymore, and there are far better streamers to consider on a short week of rest.
Running Back
Najee Harris: FLEX Option, RB3
Jaylen Warren: FLEX Option, RB3
The backfield split in Pittsburgh is equally as frustrating for fantasy managers as the one in Kansas City. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have a brutal matchup against the league’s toughest fantasy run defense this week, but I’ll give the lean to Warren as the better option thanks to his higher usage in the passing game–Warren has at least 4 targets in five of his last six games. That’s enough for me to consider Warren as a high-floor FLEX option if you absolutely need it, but it’s still not an ideal matchup. You can probably find a receiver or different RB with higher upside if you have just one FLEX spot. I’m fading Najee and the Kansas City running backs wherever I possibly can.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens: Start, WR2
Calvin Austin III: Sit
Van Jefferson: Sit
There’s only one wide receiver worth starting on the Steelers, and that’s George Pickens. While Pickens’ availability likely won’t be determined until Christmas Day, he’ll be worth starting as a WR2 with upside as long as he’s active. The Chiefs allow the ninth-fewest points to WRs, but if Pittsburgh is going to move the ball against the Kansas City defense, they’ll need to give Pickens chances to flex his elite athletic ability. He should receive plenty of targets if he’s active. None of the other Pittsburgh receivers should be started, regardless of Pickens’ status on Christmas Day.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: Streaming Option, TE2
Pat Freiermuth saw a three-week touchdown streak come to an end with a Week 16 dud. His best chance to score again in Week 17 is for Pickens to sit another week, in which case “Muth” would find himself as a solid back-end TE1 as one of Pittsburgh’s top red zone options. If Pickens plays, Freirmuth would still have solid streaming viability, thanks to his nose for the end zone. His 6 TDs are tied for 4th among all TEs across the league.
No mention of how yall feel with Hollywood Brown? He looked decent last week with limited reps even