Game Info
Kickoff: Saturday, December 24th, at 8:15 PM EST
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Betting Odds: LV+3, -39.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: NFLN
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr (Start if you must, QB2)
It’s been a very middling season for Derek Carr, who owns a 23:11 passing touchdown to interception ratio through 15 games. Last week in the stunning win against New England, Carr completed 20 of 38 attempts for 231 years, three touchdowns, and an interception. He’s only thrown for over 300 yards in two games this season, and the task won’t get much easier in the Pittsburgh cold. Although, the Steelers defense has given up the 10th most fantasy points to QBs this year, and if you find yourself having lost Jalen Hurts this week – and possibly Ryan Tannehill – you may have no choice but to stream Carr in the Semis.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs (Start, RB1)
It’s been a down two games for Josh Jacobs to his early-season standards, where he was averaging a whopping 31.47 full-PPR per game in Weeks 10-13. That’s not to say he’s had a bad output though; in Week 14 he had 99 rushing yards, and last week, 93. Jacobs’ usage has been as consistent as anyone this season and remains on the RB1 radar, even despite a tougher matchup on deck against the Steelers’ run defense. FantasyData projects Jacobs to finish as the RB3 this week in full-PPR formats.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Mack Hollins (Sit), Hunter Renfrow (Sit), Darren Waller (Start, TE2 with TE1 upside)
The New England defense are no slouches, but you were still hopeful that Davante Adams would have had a better game last week than he did. He was targeted nine times but turned that into just four receptions for 28 scoreless yards. It was a letdown for those in the quarterfinals, but if you have Adams to deploy this week in the Semis, he’s going up against a Pittsburgh defense that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to WRs this year. Hunter Renfrow returned last week from his oblique injury, but it wasn’t much of a factor, and can’t be a trusted option. Mack Hollins did score, but it’s also tough to rely on him with not only Renfrow back but Darren Waller as well. The tight end, who was out since Week 5 with a hamstring injury, caught all three of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. In such a thin position, if you’ve held onto Waller and made it this far, you’re happy to start him, as he still possesses TE1 upside.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett (Sit)
On Tuesday, while the Steelers didn’t actually practice, Kenny Pickett was listed as an estimated full participant. However, he still does need to clear the concussion protocol that knocked him out in Week 14, and kept him out last week. At the time of writing, it appears Pickett is on track to return this week, but he isn’t a recommended streaming option.
Running Backs
Najee Harris (Start, RB2)
Najee Harris has really turned a corner since the Steelers’ Week 9 BYE. He’s posted steady RB2 numbers, averaging 15.26 full-PPR per game from Weeks 11-15. He’s yet to hit the 100 rushing yards mark in any game this year, but the leaky Vegas defense is allowing the fourth most fantasy points to RBs this year, so could this be the week he gets it done? Look for Pitt to rely heavily on the run game – as they tend to do – as we may see temperatures as low as -4 degrees.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Diontae Johnson (Start, WR2), George Pickens (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Start, TE2)
The Vegas secondary is pretty porous, which bodes well for both Diontae Johnson and George Pickens; Pickens to an extent. Johnson is dealing with a toe injury, but since Week 12, he’s averaging 9.25 targets per game and will hope to find the end zone this week for the first time all season. Pickens certainly prefers having Pickett under center over Mitch Trubisky, but when every lineup decision counts, I’d be bullish on trusting him, even as a FLEX option. Pat Freiermuth laid an uncharacteristic goose egg against the Panthers, where he wasn’t targeted at all. The tight end can redeem himself this week against a Raiders defense allowing the ninth most fantasy points to his position.