Sit/Start Week 17: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Kickoff: Sunday, January 3rd at 7:15 PM ET

Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA

Betting Odds: CLE, -3.5, 40.5 Total on Oddsshark

Network: ESPN

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield  (Start, QB2)

Baker Mayfield is coming off a four-interception game against the Packers. This is a big game for both teams, with the Steelers’ defense hurting this week. Mayfield might be a pretty good start on Monday night against the Steelers. I’m okay playing Mayfield this week as a QB2.

Baker Mayfield throws a game sealing INT on this play where this defensive holding is blatantly ignored and nothing is called #CLEvsGB pic.twitter.com/2drNzALwsL

— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) December 26, 2021

Running Backs

Nick Chubb (Start, RB2), Kareem Hunt (Sit), D’Ernest Johnson (Sit)

Nick Chubb has been excellent over the past two games combining for 217 yards and 2 TDs while catching four passes for 40 yards. In their first meeting with the Steelers, Chubb ran for 61 yards, but this week with TJ Watt hurting, he should be a rock-solid RB2. Kareem Hunt is not set in stone to return this week, so deciding between him a D’Ernest Johnson will be a late-week decision. Regardless I wouldn’t say I like either player to start in your playoff lineups.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

JARVIS. LANDRY.

📺: https://t.co/NyBDmNclTK pic.twitter.com/DESCrHfqWx

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 11, 2021

Jarvis Landry (Start, WR3/flex), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Start, WR3/flex), Rashard Higgins (Flex), Austin Hooper (Sit)

The last time Jarvis Landry played the Steelers he was targeted 10 times, catching five passes for 65 yards. Landry is a consistent PPR threat and should be considered a WR3 with WR2 upside. Donovan Peoples-Jones is the definition of boom/bust, with his 17.3 ypr. He’s someone who can change the game with one play, but holds no consistency week to week. In this game I think DPJ has a good shot to break off a big gain or two and score a TD. This makes him a WR3/Flex play. Rashard Higgins came out last week and caught five passes for 58 yards, he’s definitely worth a look in this game. He might be a safer Flex than DPJ, but doesn’t offer a ceiling. Austin Hooper is the only tight end that gets the targets to consistently perform in this offense, that being said I’m not winning my title with a Browns TE and am more than likely sitting Hooper.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger (Start, QB2)

Ben Roethlisberger's last home game on the way. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/A4K0HCfeKD

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) December 30, 2021

Ben Roethlisberger is possibly playing his last game at home for the Steelers and we should expect fireworks, While Ben has been alright this year, he has had some turn back the clock performances, The last time he played the Browns he had a modest 261 passing yards and a TD. I think he could easily replicate and or do better than his first performance. Big Ben is a QB2 for me this week and a possible championship winner.

Running Backs

https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/status/1476276225958027274

Najee Harris (Start, RB1)

Najee Harris had 120 yards and a touchdown in his lone appearance against the Browns in Week 8. The volume for Harris is too much to ignore and should put him in a position to score at least once. This makes him a locked and loaded RB1 for me his week.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Diontae Johnson (Start, WR2), Chase Claypool (Start, WR3/flex), Ray-Ray McCloud (Sit), Pat Freiermuth (Start, TE1)

Hmmm, pre-snap, 3rd & 8, what do we like better?

A 50/50 ball to Claypool with a 2-high safety over top

OR

Diontae Johnson on a slant route? pic.twitter.com/LFzfRSoIiS

— Tyler Wise (@TriggeredWise) December 22, 2021

Diontae Johnson has averaged 10 targets/game and 17.5 fantasy points/game. He’s guaranteed WR2 or better targets and has been one of Big Ben’s favorite red zone options, garnering 19 targets. Look for him to be a WR2 option this week with WR1 upside. Chase Claypool has been hit or miss this year, and in the other Browns game this year he only had 45 yards on five catches. This makes him a WR3/flex at best for me this week. Ray-Ray McCloud got eight targets last week, but I don’t think I want to roll him out on Championship week. Pat Freiermuth is averaging 3.25 targets and 33 yards in the past four games. Not amazing numbers, but if he scores a TD then it put him into TE1 area. I’m going to start him this week with his TE1 potential.