Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 26th, at 4:25 PM EST
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Betting Odds: PIT +10, 46 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger (Sit)
Ben Roethlisberger certainly didn’t win the game for the Steelers against the Titans last week, but he did enough not to lose. He vultured a one-yard rushing score, his first since 2018, but completed 16 of 25 attempts for just 148 yards. Not turning the ball over was key, as Tennessee did so four times on their own, ultimately leading to the loss. One would expect Big Ben to be back in the 35+ pass attempt range this week against the Chiefs, but I would not trust starting him in the Semifinal playoff week.
Running Back
Najee Harris (Start, RB1)
Talk about a buzzkill if you found yourselves on the wrong end of a Quarterfinals Najee Harris performance. The bell-cow rookie turned 12 carries into just 18 yards, with two catches on five targets for eight yards. It was his worst output of the season next to Week 1, where he had 45 yards on 16 carries. It didn’t help that Roethlisberger took away a rushing score from Harris in the 3rd quarter. Look for a bounce-back performance against a Chiefs defense that just allowed Austin Ekeler to rush for 59 yards on 12 carries, as well as four receptions for 23 yards. Justin Jackson turned 13 carries into 86 yards, and had a reception for 13 yards.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Dionate Johnson (Start, WR2), Chase Claypool (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Start if active, TE1), Zach Gentry (Sit)
There is only one trustworthy Steelers wide receiver, and it’s Dionate Johnson. He was a letdown last week against the Titans, catching all five of his targets for just 38 yards. Every other week though, he’s been a target-hog, and should remain that way this week in what should be a more pass-heavy approach by Pittsburgh. If you can avoid starting him, Chase Claypool should be avoided in the Semifinal’s this week, as he’s been inconsistent all season long. Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered his second concussion on the season against Tennessee. Should he be fit to play, he’s a TE1, but if he were to miss this game, next man up Zach Gentry can be left on the wire.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (Start, QB1)
Have a day Patrick Mahomes. Coming off a 410 yard, three touchdown performance against the Chargers, Mahomes is set to face a Steelers defense that despite allowing the eighth fewest fantasy points this season to QB’s, have been down bad as of late. They did force four turnovers against the Titans last week though, and Mahomes has 13 interceptions on the season to go with eight fumbles, four of which were lost. It’s worth monitoring the status of Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce, both of whom were placed on the reserve/COVID list this week.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Start, RB2), Darrel Williams (Sit)
I spoke to the Pittsburgh defense weakening with each week, and it’s definitely more evident in their run game. Last week, they allowed D’Onta Foreman to rush for 108 yards on 22 carries, as well as two receptions for 27 yards. This week, Chief’s RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire should bounce back from his quiet Week 15; nine carries for 32 yards and a 2-pt conversion. If the receiver room is without Hill and Kelce, could this be the first game of the season where CEH sees 20+ touches? Consider him a floor play given his track record this season, but he is facing a Steelers defense giving up the seventh most fantasy points to running backs on the year.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyreek Hill (Start if active, WR1), Mecole Hardman (Start if Hill is out, WR3), Travis Kelce (Start if active, TE1), Noah Gray (Sit)
Well, this is not an ideal situation whatsoever in the Semifinals. Earlier this week, Hill and Kelce, as well as Josh Gordon were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. At the time of writing, their game day status is still in question – and it’s entirely possible this game gets pushed out to next Tuesday, which would bode well for their returns – but the show must go on for the sake of preparation. You are obviously starting either – but not Gordon – if they are active. In the event that Hill and Gordon are out, that opens the door for Mecole Hardman to see an uptick in targets, making him a viable option this week. Where I think you begin to grasp at straws is when you start to consider Byron Pringle and/or Demarcus Robinson.
Simply put, it would be a crushing blow if Kelce were to miss this game. You can avoid starting Noah Gray who would be the fill-in TE.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)