Steelers@Jets
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 1:00 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Odds: NYJ +3, 38.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: James Washington
New York Jets
Quarterback:
- Sam Darnold (Sit)
The final score and box score will say otherwise, but Sam Darnold surely held his own against the Ravens last Thursday night. His two touchdowns – especially the ‘second attempt’ to Jamison Crowder – were things of beauty. The interception and lost fumble were blemishes, but Darnold posted his fourth multi-touchdown game over the last five. Even so, I wouldn’t be quick to start him in what is likely your Championship matchup.
Running Backs:
- Le’Veon Bell (Start, RB2)
- Ty Montgomery (Sit)
- Bilal Powell* (Sit)
In what could be the most anticipated #RevengeGame on the season, Le’Veon Bell faces his former team for the first time; too bad it’s not a Pittsburgh home game. If Adam Gase has a pulse and a flair for the dramatic, he’ll feed Bell often. All season long, he’s been a steady RB2 off the volume, but his lack of scoring has certainly been a major let down. He’ll remain that way in Week 16, but keep in mind the Steelers have given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
Backups Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell (if active, he has an ankle injury) remain out of your lineups.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Jamison Crowder (Start, WR3/FLEX)
- Robby Anderson (Start if you must, FLEX)
- Demaryius Thomas (Sit)
- Vyncint Smith (Sit)
- Daniel Brown (Sit)
Can Crowder help you in your quest for a championship? He’ll look to piggyback off of his six reception, two-touchdown performance against the Ravens. As long as the target share (11 vs. Baltimore) remains, Crowder is back on the WR3/FLEX radar as one of Darnold’s favorite targets in the slot. It’s worth noting that historically, Mike Tomlin defenses have had trouble against slot receivers. On the outside, Robby Anderson faces a much worse matchup. His double-digit fantasy points against Baltimore were of course welcomed, but I wouldn’t want to bank on a repeat performance in this one. Still, with multiple injuries hitting WR’s last week, Anderson could be a FLEX option if you’re in a bind. Demaryius Thomas (if active) and Vyncint Smith are easy sits.
Tight end Daniel Brown, who has replaced Ryan Griffin due to injury, is not a viable streamer.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback:
- Devlin Hodges (Sit)
Duck, duck, no thanks. Devlin Hodges was given the vote of confidence and the chance to rebound by Tomlin on Tuesday, anointing him the starter over Mason Rudolph. Four interceptions in Sunday night’s loss to the Bills was not a good look at all. Overall since taking over, Hodges has been your typical game manager. The matchup is softer this week, but in no way is he starting for you in the ‘ship.
Running Backs:
- James Conner (Start, RB2)
- Jaylen Samuels (Sit)
- Benny Snell Jr. (Sit)
After a three-game absence, James Conner was thrust back into the starting role against Buffalo. His four receptions (nine yards) and a touchdown saved his fantasy night, as he only had 42 yards on eight carries. He led the Pittsburgh backfield in snaps, which is a positive sign that he may be over the nagging shoulder injury he’s faced this season. I’d look for his volume to increase against the Jets in a must-win scenario – on the ground and through the air – but New York has been solid against the run all season long. However, Mark Ingram did change that narrative a bit last week…
Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell Jr. are firmly off the starting radar for 2019.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- James Washington (Start, WR3/FLEX)
- Dionate Johnson (Sit)
- JuJu Smith-Schuster (Sit)
- Vance McDonald* (Sit)
- Nick Vannett (Sit)
If you find yourself having the need or itch to start James Washington, you may be in luck. The Jets secondary is notorious for giving up a big play because of poor defending, and Washington has made his name this season doing just that. He looks way better a receiver in 2019 than he did last season and could post some production in this game, making him my sleeper spotlight candidate. Despite Hodge’s abysmal outing Sunday night, Washington had 11 targets, catching five passes for 83 yards. Dionate Johnson is a clear sit, and even if he’s active, I’d be sitting JuJu Smith-Schuster as well. He still has a questionable tag to him at the time of writing, but his knee injury has completely taken over his 2019 in a lost season.
Vance McDonald, even if he were to clear the concussion protocol, isn’t a recommended stream. The same can be said for Pittsburgh’s healthy tight end, Nick Vannett.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Richard Sherman has been a full participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week and is expected to play this weekend by SF’s beat writers. Why do you believe he is unlikely to play?
Hi Aaron, I too graduated from Kennesaw College (1981) and grew up in Smyrna. I am very active in fantasy with over 60 teams. I own a sports memorabilia business that publishes a small circulation magazine (catalog). I love your weekly analysis and I look to you for start/sit decisions, and I am winning. Thanks for the help. I am also working on a book on fantasy sports. I would love to chat. You are welcome to email me to start a discussion. Also I am a major Atlanta sports fan since 1966, and I did attend the worst game in Braves history this past September, the final game.