How Thursday Night's Steelers-Panthers Game Impacts Your Fantasy Team

Ryan Lester

Dec 24, 2010

The fantasy playoffs rolled into Championship Week, as the Steelers smoked the Panthers in another Thursday Night dud.

Having players go in the Thursday night games gives you a little bit of an advantage. If your players do well, you can perhaps be a little more cautious with your team; if your players failed to put up good numbers, perhaps you will want to take a bigger risk, hoping to make up some ground.

You also get a feel for your matchup depending on how your opponents players did.

Let’s take a look at how fantasy owners will be feeling about their players.

Quarterbacks: Big Ben (320 yards, passing TD, two rushing yards, rushing TD) had a great game.

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If he’s your fantasy quarterback, you’re in excellent shape. If you’re going up against him, you have your work cut out.

If you used Jimmy Clausen (72 yards, INT), you were likely playing in the toilet bowl.

Running Backs: There were three possible running back choices in this one. Rashard Mendenahll (83 total yards, TD) delivered. Big Ben’s one yard touchdown would have been nice on Mendenhall stat sheet, but you can’t complain with the start he got you.

James Stewart (80 total yards) was not a recommended play by most, but he had a solid showing for those forced to use him.

Mike Goodson (26 total yards) is officially off the fantasy radar.

Isaac Redman (45 total yards) was likely only used in 16+ team leagues.

Wide Receivers: Mike Wallace (104 yards, TD) had a real nice performance; 16+ points from your receiver is a great start.

Hines Ward (38 yards) and Steve Smith (17 yards) were busts.

David Gettis (5 yards) was a non-factor.

Emmanuel Sanders (54 yards) was decent enough, but wasn’t likely in many lineups.

Tight Ends: Heath Miller (73 yards) had a very strong performance. Odds are those who used him got much more than they anticipated. Still, it wasn’t enough to alter any remaining fantasy decision.

Kickers: Shaun Suisham kicked two field goals (26, 29) and had three PATs in a modest performance.

John Kasay managed one short (27) field goal.

Defenses: Pittsburgh dominated—plain and simple.

They only allowed three points, forced two turnovers (fumble & INT) and racked up four sacks.

They'd be one of the highest scoring defenses this week so if you started them, you’re in good shape.

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