What We Saw: Week 16

Pittsburgh Steelers vs New York Jets

 

#UpsetSzn in East Rutherford. The Pittsburgh Steelers came into MetLife needing to win, and then a win in Week 17 to get in. Well, the Jets had other plans. It was a pretty sluggish game for both sides, but New York’s defense prevailed late against two Steelers quarterbacks. In a 16-10 win, the Jets have now put the Steelers in a position where they’ll not only need a Week 17 win, but also some help around the league to secure a playoff spot.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

 

Quarterback

 

• Mason Rudolph: 14/20, 129 yards, 1 TD, 1 sack | 2 carries, 0 yards
• Devlin Hodges: 11/17, 84 yards, 2 INT, 3 sacks | 1 carry, 0 yards

 

Devlin Hodges got the start in this one after encouragement from Mike Tomlin, but he was a short leash. Two interceptions left Tomlin no choice but to pivot to Mason Rudolph, yet Hodges would reenter the game later on. These two quarterbacks have somehow gotten the Steelers to eight wins entering today, but did not look any bit capable of leading a potential playoff run. Time will tell next week who is behind center.

 

Running Backs

 

• James Conner: 6 carries, 32 yards
• Kerrith Whyte: 6 carries, 22 yards
• Benny Snell Jr.: 7 carries, 14 yards
• Jaylen Samuels: 3 carries, 7 yards | 6 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards

 

Another week, another setback for James Conner. 2019 has not been his year, as he was forced out of the game with a thigh injury in the second quarter, and officially out to start the second half. Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Samuels, and Kerrith Whyte picked up the slack, but didn’t do much with their opportunities. Between the three, they totaled 16 carries for only 43 yards. Only Samuels was involved in the passing game.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

• Diontae Johnson: 9 targets, 8 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD
• James Washington: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 41 yards
• JuJu Smith-Schuster: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards
• Vance McDonald: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 9 yards
• Deion Cain: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
• Nick Vannett: 1 target, 1 reception, 18 yards

 

Diontae Johnson led the charge for the Pittsburgh receivers in targets with nine, receptions with eight, and yards with 81. He also found the end zone, the lone touchdown on the day for the Steelers. James Washington and JuJu Smith-Schuster had a few receptions of their own, but weren’t real fantasy factors; especially Washington who has been a fair FLEX play in recent weeks. Both receivers had a chance to win the game in the final minute, but the Jets defense held on.

Tight ends Vance McDonald, Deion Cain, and Nick Vannett weren’t a help, totaling just six receptions between the three on nine targets for 37 yards.

 

New York Jets

 

Quarterback

 

• Sam Darnold: 16/26, 183 yards, 1 TD, 3 FUM (one lost), 2 sacks | 4 carries, 3 yards

 

Sam Darnold wasn’t a recommended start this week, and he proved that suggestion to be true. Aside from an impressive opening drive that led to his only touchdown on the day, Darnold was very pedestrian. He was not careful with the ball either, fumbling three times and losing one on a strip-sack forced by T.J. Watt.

 

Running Backs

 

• Le’Veon Bell: 25 carries, 72 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 21 yards
• Ty Montgomery: 2 carries, 7 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 1 yard
• Bilal Powell: 1 carry, 3 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards

 

Before the game, Le’Veon Bell said that Adam Gase was going to get him the ball plenty. It was his first game against his former team, and he was involved plenty. It was a very standard 2019 performance from Bell, who carried the ball 25 times for 72 yards, and also had four receptions for 21 yards. It was another week where Bell didn’t find the end zone, which has been his major woe all season. Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell were non-factors overall.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

• Jamison Crowder: 8 targets, 4 receptions, 60 yards
• Robby Anderson: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 32 yards, 1 TD
• Vyncint Smith: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 32 yards
• Trevon Wesco: 1 target, 1 reception, 32 yards

 

While Jamison Crowder led the receiving efforts with eight targets and four grabs for 60 yards, it was Robby Anderson who had a highlight-reel catch on the opening drive for a touchdown.  He was pretty quiet after that, and so his score did ‘save’ his fantasy day if you started him, but it’s clear him and Darnold have a rapport. It will be interesting to see if the Jets keep Anderson or let him enter free agency next offseason. Vyncint Smith continues to be involved, but not to the tune of any fantasy relevance or in the box score.

Trevon Wesco was the only Jets tight end to have a reception in this game, and it went for 32 yards.

 

–Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)