Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 19, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Betting Odds: PIT +2, 41.5 Total on Vegas Insider
Network: CBS
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill (Sit, QB2)
Believe it or not, but the Titans averaged just 3.8 yards/play in their blowout victory over the Jaguars on Sunday. That is …. less than ideal. The Steelers, who rank fourth-worst in coverage grade, have clear warts in their secondary, and Ryan Tannehill isn’t afraid to be utilized as a runner near the goal-line. That being said, this remains a run-heavy, inefficient offense, making it difficult to trust Tannehill this week.
Running Backs
D’Onta Foreman (Start If You Must, RB3), Dontrell Hilliard (Sit, RB4), Jeremy McNichols (Sit, RB5)
The insertion of Jeremy McNichols as the receiving, third-down back makes this a tough three-down committee. That is especially true for Dontrell Hilliard, who had assumed those duties previously. In the end, the only running back in this backfield you can have any sort of confidence in is D’Onta Foreman, who is the running back the team clearly trusts the most. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been a mess as of late, while Foreman clearly has the most touchdown equity here. He’s a risky start, but one that makes sense if you are desperate.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Julio Jones (Sit, Low-End WR3), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Sit, WR6), Anthony Firkser (Sit, TE3), Geoff Swaim (Sit, TE3)
Julio Jones was clearly on a pitch count last week, but the hope is that he is unleashed this week. This is an inefficient, run-heavy offense, but perhaps this is the boom game we have been waiting for from Jones. Outside of that, though, it isn’t pretty. Please come back soon, AJ Brown.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (Sit, QB2)
Shoutout to Ben Roethlisberger, who finished as the QB6 last week, and now faces a Titans defense allowing the third-most points to quarterbacks. At the same time, that was only Roethlisberger’s second finish inside the top-12 this year. This remains a pass-first offense, yet too ineffective to boost the conservative Roethlisberger, who also isn’t offering a lot as a runner. He needs touchdowns to boost his fantasy ceiling, and the over/under here isn’t pretty.
Running Backs
Najee Harris (Start, RB1)
Right now, no running back has more control over their backfield than Najee Harris. It’s a shame that his efficiency has been hampered by playing behind a subpar offensive line, as he’s averaging just 3.6 yards/rush attempt this year. However, he’s had 49 touches in his past two games; start him every week just for the volume alone.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Diontae Johnson (Start, WR1), Chase Claypool (Start, Low-End WR2), James Washington (Sit), Ray-Ray McLoud (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Start, Low-End TE1)
It is very difficult to find a receiver who is getting as many consistent targets as Diontae Johnson, who is averaging 11.36 targets/game in every game he’s finished. He didn’t convert his two end-zone targets into a touchdown last week, but perhaps he can turn his fate around against a secondary allowing the second-most points to wide receivers. Chase Claypool, meanwhile, has 8+ targets and 80+ receiving yards in three of his past four games. There’s always clear big-play upside with him, and the matchup here is intriguing. Pat Freiermuth, to top it off, is prominently featured in the red zone for Pittsburgh; his touchdown upside can make up for a lack of targets. He’s not the best tight end option, but you could do far worse at the position than someone getting four+ targets with consistent usage in the red zone.
All Stats via Pro Football Focus