Ravens@Steelers
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 6th at 1:00 pm EST
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Betting Odds: BAL -3, 44.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Diontae Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback:
- Mason Rudolph (Sit)
Mason Rudolph has filled in decently well for the injured Big Ben but as nothing more than a dink-and-dunk game manager. He had a line of 229/2/0 against the Bengals in Week 4, but the Bengals defense is dysfunctional. He is much more of a mid 100’s guy in yards per game than mid 200’s. This is someone that can be left on the wire for now.
Running Backs:
- James Conner (RB2, Start – Currently Questionable)
- Jaylen Samuels (Sit, RB2 if Conner misses a game)
James Conner finally got going last week against the Bengals with 120 total yards, eight catches, and a touchdown. He missed a few plays with what was thought to be a hamstring injury, but now reports are out that he is getting testing done on his ankle and is questionable for Sunday. I guess that he will play, but he has a tough matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Yes, I know they were just absolutely gashed by Nick Chubb, but before that game, they were stout against the run, giving up less than 100 YPG on the ground. Expect them to make Mason Rudolph beat them in this one, with Conner being nothing more than an RB2. If he were to miss, Jaylen Samuels would step in as a plug and play RB2 as well, as there should be a healthy floor with dump off receptions, even if the rushing totals are low.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR2/Start)
- Diontae Johnson (Flex/Start)
- James Washington (Sit)
- Vance McDonald (Sit/Currently Questionable)
JuJu Smith-Schuster has had a rough go of it so far with Rudolph at the helm. Averaging 3.5/80 per game with one total touchdown since Week 1, there has not been a lot to love from the late first/early second-round WR. With Rudolph going dink-and-dunk galore so far, the Steelers don’t seem to be looking to change that after beating the Bengals this week. The next guy is looking more appealing right now and this doesn’t look like a get right matchup for JuJu. He is a WR2 and a low one until something changes and he gets fed more targets. Dionate Johnson, however, has been a favorite or Rudolph. Getting reps in preseason together, Johnson has flourished. With a line of 6/77/1 against the Bengals, he has now caught two touchdowns from Rudolph. He did fumble but made up for it with a long touchdown later on. I love this guy as a flex play and you should go look him up on your free-agent market. James Washington was a preseason favorite but has been mostly non-existent, even with the demotion of Donte Moncrief. Leave him on your bench, or better yet, on the wire. Vance McDonald didn’t play in Week 4 and is looking like a game-time decision for Week 5. Even if he plays, I wouldn’t advise trusting him in his first game back. Look for a Noah Fant or other emerging TE to fill in the gaps this week.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback:
- Lamar Jackson (Start/QB1)
Lamar Jackson has taken the league by storm. He looked lackluster to begin the week last Sunday but turned it on late to still go over 30 fantasy points once again. Currently, the highest-scoring quarterback after Patrick Mahomes surprisingly put up zero touchdowns last week, Jackson is not someone you are ever thinking of sitting right now, even against a seemingly improved Pittsburgh offense. Fire him up again with confidence.
Running Backs:
- Mark Ingram (Start/RB2)
- Gus Edwards (Sit/Stash)
After popping off for 16/103/3 in Week 3, Mark Ingram came back to Earth last week in a high scoring passing game for the Ravens. Some would peg him as an RB1, but against the Steelers improved defense, he is more of an RB2. He has touchdown upside, no doubt, but Lamar Jackson is the head of this offense and even has the ability to vulture touchdowns with his rushing ability. Gus Edwards is currently just a bench stash for those that are owners of Ingram. It would be an RB2/Flex play if Ingram were to get dinged.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Marquise Brown (Flex/Start)
- Miles Boykin (Sit)
- Willie Snead (Sit)
- Mark Andrews (TE1/Start)
While Miles Boykin and Willie Snead each caught a touchdown last week, there are only two players worth starting with confidence for this offense right now, Hollywood Brown and Mark Andrews. While Brown has had two lackluster weeks in a row, he has the biggest chance to break a long pass and has the best skills as a WR amongst the group. He had a great start to the year and will be needed in this one as he goes against an improved Steelers secondary. The main squeeze for Lamar Jackson, however, is Mark Andrews. To put it simply, the dude has been a beast this season when healthy. And, oh yeah, he is healthy. Yes, he has the questionable tag, but after putting up 4/31/1 in Week 4, he will be ready to roll. After going over 100 yards and a touchdown in weeks 1 and 2, Andrews will be ready to gash the Steelers up the seam this week. Start with confidence.
-Matt Dean (@MattDeanQBL, Reddit: mdean8)
Would you start Brisset over Cousins?
Ertz a Start for the Eagles? Don’t see him either way
Sounds like a salty Falcons fan with that Patriots jab. Word of advice, it doesn’t look good on you to be putting your personal feelings into these columns. It just makes you come off as a homer.
Yeah that hit on Allen wasnt dirty at all. Allens momentum was going foward and could have picked up the first down without the second hit. Also he isnt defenseless if he takes off and runs. Rbs get hit like that all the time.