Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 3rd at 4:25 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Betting Odds: PIT +7, 45.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger (Sit, Low-end QB2)
Ben Roethlisberger is looking rough this year. Ben is 39 years old and seems to be struggling through his recent chest injury. “Big Ben” had to rely on short check-down passes to move the ball last week, and he’s only averaging 13 fantasy points per game this year. It looks like Roethlisberger isn’t the same quarterback he once was, and he’s more of a low-end fantasy QB2 as a result. There should be other more reliable options available if you’re playing in a one-QB league.
Running Backs
Najee Harris (Start, RB1)
Fantasy managers had high expectations for Najee Harris, and the rookie finally turned in the RB1 performance they’ve been expecting from the talented young man. I hope you’re in a PPR league if you have Harris on your team. Najee stood out in the passing game with 19 targets and 14 catches for 102 yards. As long-term fantasy managers know, volume is king in this game. Harris had the most offensive snaps in one game by a rookie since 2007. The question is whether he continues to see such a large target share. Najee had a fantastic performance last week, but he probably won’t see that many targets regularly, considering Diontae Johnson didn’t play at all last week and JuJu Smith-Schuster left the game early with a rib injury.
The Packers allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs last year and are right in the middle of the league against the position so far this season. I believe Harris should be capable of another RB1 performance this week, and his stock could be even higher if one of the previously mentioned receivers is inactive.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Chase Claypool (Start, High-end WR3 with upside), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Start, WR3), Diontae Johnson (Start if active, WR2), James Washington (Possible Flex in deeper leagues), Pat Freiermuth (Sit)
Fantasy managers need to monitor the situation, but I’ve heard Diontae Johnson isn’t likely to suit up in Week 4. The bone bruise in his knee could still be too painful to play on for at least another week. Either way, keep an eye on Diontae’s progression. It seems like he’s trending in the right direction after a limited practice on Wednesday. He’s an easy start if he plays.
JuJu Smith-Schuster had an injury scare last week when he left the game early with bruised ribs. That’s usually an injury that players can power through, but JuJu is still considered “day-to-day” for the time being. This is another situation fantasy managers need to monitor throughout the week, but if JuJu plays, he should be capable of a WR3 performance.
Chase Claypool is in line to see the most targets among Steelers receivers this week if Johnson (and Smith-Schuster) doesn’t play this week. That’s why I have him ranked first among Pittsburgh wideouts with plenty of potential upside in Week 4. The Packers’ secondary has been capable so far this year, but the target share will likely be too good to pass on Claypool this week. Chase saw 15 targets and put up 18.6 fantasy points last week in a situation that could be pretty much the same this week.
James Washington could be a sneaky Flex play this week if both Johnson and JuJu are inactive, but I would still have a hard time trusting him in my starting lineup.
Rookie Pat Freiermuth seems to be the best tight end in Pittsburgh right now. He has nine targets over the last two games and caught a touchdown last week. Freiermuth could be worth a speculative waiver add in deeper leagues, but he shouldn’t be trusted in any starting lineups for now.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, Low-end QB1)
After his abysmal performance in Week 1, it seems Aaron Rodgers is back to his old self after two solid fantasy performances. He was just outside QB1 territory last week but still had a respectable 19 points against the 49ers. It could be hard to predict what happens in this game. The Pittsburgh defensive front showed formidable pressure on Josh Allen in Week 1, but it seems they’re a bit banged up at the moment, which could allow Rodgers to perform well this week. Either way, the Steelers will be a formidable foe. I’m ranking Rodgers as a low-end QB1 in Week 4.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Start, RB1), A.J. Dillon (Sit)
Pittsburgh has been great against running backs so far in 2021. They have allowed the 10th-fewest rushing yards and the third-fewest fantasy points to the position. That said, it’s worth noting the Steelers have some banged-up defensive players (including T.J. Watt). Fortunately, Aaron Jones is pretty darn good himself. Jones came back down to Earth a bit after his monster fantasy performance in Week 2, but he still turned in a respectable RB2 performance last week. The dynamic back is too talented to leave off your starting fantasy roster. Jones should be capable of an RB1 performance in Week 4.
A.J. Dillon isn’t getting enough work to be start-able yet. He’s just a bench stash for now.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Allen Lazard (Sit), Randall Cobb (Sit), Robert Tonyan (Sit, High-end TE2)
Davante Adams tallied 31 fantasy points and saw an insane 18 targets last week against the 49ers. He’s Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target and one of the most elite receivers in the NFL. Start “Tae” with confidence.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had 14.9 fantasy points last week (his best so far this season), but he only got four targets for the second week in a row. He isn’t dependable enough to start in fantasy rosters yet. The same goes for Allen Lazard. Lazard is often on the field, but he’s only averaging 1.6 targets per game.
Despite head coach Matt LaFleur’s statement about getting Randall Cobb more involved, I’ll need to see it before I believe it. He’s only seen five targets over the past three games.
Robert Tonyan’s production will be inconsistent all year. He’s too touchdown-dependent and he only saw one target last week. I’m listing Tonyan just barely outside the TE1 tier this week, but I wouldn’t blame you if he’s your best option at tight end. You could certainly do worse, but you need to pray for a touchdown.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)