Fantasy Football Week 2: Complete Thursday Night Preview
One of the NFL’s premier rivalries takes center stage Thursday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
We all figure this to be a close game. Dating back to 2008 and including a pair of playoff encounters, 11 of the 14 meetings between the teams have been decided by four points or less. All told, five straight and 10 of the 12 regular-season clashes between the clubs have been decided by three points or less.
That’s the reality of this rivalry. But what about the fantasy impact for the performers for both of these clubs in this matchup?
Hey, that’s why we’re here.
Starting Quarterbacks
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger
In 16 career games versus Baltimore (including playoffs), Roethlisberger has posted modest numbers, throwing 24 touchdown passes compared to 15 interceptions.
Big Ben’s recent overall numbers bear a look. In his last 30 regular-season outings dating back to 2012, the Steelers quarterback has thrown for 55 scores compared to just 23 interceptions. Roethlisberger has thrown two or more touchdown passes in half (15) of those contests.
In his last 10 games alone, Pittsburgh’s field general has thrown 21 touchdown passes and been picked off just eight times.
Fantasy Prediction: 25-of-39, 261 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 2 carries, 7 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco
Early in his career, the Ravens signal-caller had his issues in this series, but over the last three seasons, he’s cut back on his mistakes.
In his last six games versus the Steelers, Flacco has thrown seven touchdown passes compared to just one interception and committed a total of just three turnovers.
In eight meetings with Pittsburgh (including playoffs) from 2008 to 2010, the strong-armed passer threw for seven scores, but he was not only picked off eight times but lost five fumbles and was sacked 29 times in those eight contests.
Fantasy Prediction: 30-of-44, 326 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 3 carries, 11 yards, 0 TD.
Running Backs
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Pittsburgh Steelers Starter: Le’Veon Bell
A year ago, Bell led the team in rushing as a rookie. Last week versus the Cleveland Browns, he was a busy second-year performer. The 2013 second-round pick totaled 27 touches from scrimmage and gained 197 yards and a touchdown. Bell had plays of 30-plus yards as both a runner and receiver.
Fantasy Prediction: 21 carries, 88 yards, 0 TD, 6 receptions, 44 yards, 0 TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers Backup: LeGarrette Blount
The hard-charging runner did score last week versus Cleveland but totaled just four carries and was targeted just once in the passing game. Look for Blount to be much busier this week against a physical Baltimore defense.
Fantasy Prediction: 14 carries, 55 yards, 0 TD, 1 reception, 8 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens Starter: Bernard Pierce
The running game has been much of a factor for the Ravens since the start of last season. Last week, Baltimore did run for 94 yards, but Pierce was limited to 17 yards on six carries and was benched last week after he lost a fumble. He figures to be a bigger factor this week...if he hangs onto the football.
Fantasy Prediction: 12 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens Backup: Justin Forsett
Forsett took over when Pierce was benched in the first half versus the Bengals and responded with 70 yards rushing on 11 carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run. He also totaled five catches but for only 14 yards last Sunday.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 carries, 33 yards, 0 TD, 2 receptions, 7 yards, 0 TD.
Wide Receivers
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown
Brown continues to impress every time he’s on the field and is arguably the league’s best wide receiver after the catch these days. In last week’s win over the Browns, he totaled five catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. His receptions went for 41, 16, 35, six and 18 yards.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Markus Wheaton
Injuries limited Wheaton to 12 games and one start as a rookie in 2013, and the third-round pick totaled only six catches for 64 yards. Last week versus Cleveland, the speedy pro tied for the team lead with six catches, totaling 97 yards. He figures to give Baltimore’s secondary some issues, especially if the Ravens are determined to focus on Antonio Brown.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Brown
Injuries last week, most notably to wideout Lance Moore, forced Brown to contribute, and he responded. After not catching a pass as a rookie last season, he totaled three receptions for 38 yards in last Sunday’s win over the Browns.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 23 yards, 0 TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Martavis Bryant
The 2014 fourth-round pick from Clemson was inactive last week, but that could change Thursday night with wide receiver Lance Moore unavailable. Don’t expect a lot from Bryant, who had his ups and downs during the preseason.
Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 14 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens: Steve Smith
Not a bad debut for the veteran wideout with his new team but beware. Last week, Smith was targeted 15 times and caught just seven passes for 118 yards. And 80 of those yards came on a touchdown reception, meaning Smith totaled just 38 yards on his other six catches. Still, he may give Steelers veteran cornerback Ike Taylor fits on Thursday night.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 91 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith
Smith has always been one of Joe Flacco’s favorite targets and is capable of the big play. He has had his special moments against the Steelers in the past.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens: Jacoby Jones
Last week versus Cincinnati, Jones totaled only two catches for 16 yards. But he remains one of the best kick returners in the league. Who can forget last year’s close encounter of the sideline kind with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on Thanksgiving night?
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 43 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Brown
Last week, Brown did not catch a pass in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. We know that he knows his way to the end zone (seven touchdowns in 2013), so don’t be shocked if he winds up scoring Thursday night.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 26 yards, 1 TD.
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Tight Ends
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Pittsburgh Steelers Starter: Heath Miller
The veteran is now in his 10th NFL season and comes off a year in which he caught 58 passes for 593 yards and a score. Last week versus the Cleveland Browns, he totaled three receptions for 38 yards in the team’s win. On Thursday night, he will find his way into the end zone.
Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 32 yards, 1 TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers Backup: Matt Spaeth
The Steelers opened with two tight ends last Sunday, but Spaeth was not a factor when it came to the passing game. Last season, his lone reception covered 11 yards and resulted in a touchdown.
Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 10 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens Starter: Dennis Pitta
Last season, Pitta missed the first 12 games of the season recovering from a hip injury and then returned for the final four games and caught 20 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. He totaled half of that last Sunday versus the Bengals with 10 receptions for 83 yards. Tight ends always give the Steelers defense issues, and Pitta could be primed for a huge night.
Fantasy Prediction: 8 receptions, 70 yards, 0 TD.
Baltimore Ravens Backup: Owen Daniels
The former Houston Texans Pro Bowler was targeted five times last week by Joe Flacco and caught four passes for 34 yards. He’ll find some holes in the Pittsburgh defense.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 26 yards, 0 TD.
Defense/Special Teams
5 of 8Pittsburgh Steelers Defense/Special Teams
If the Ravens continue to play one-dimensional football as was the case last year, they will make life easier for a Steelers defense that is still trying to find itself.
Last week, Baltimore ran 85 offensive plays, and since they trailed 15-0 in the third quarter, only 20 of those were runs. Pittsburgh’s pass rush totaled three sacks in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns.
Of course, Antonio Brown does make every punt return interesting for Mike Tomlin’s team. And he got a kick out of facing the Browns last Sunday, much to the chagrin of Spencer Lanning.
Fantasy Prediction: 17 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FF.
Baltimore Ravens Defense/Special Teams
John Harbaugh’s club saw Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throw for 301 yards last week. That was helped by the fact that Baltimore failed to sack the Cincinnati signal-caller.
The Ravens also failed to force a turnover in last week’s 23-16 loss. They may have better luck against Ben Roethlisberger this week. The Steelers quarterback was picked off once, fumbled and was sacked four times despite a win over the Browns.
Fantasy Prediction: 19 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 0 FF.
Best Sleeper Adds
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A couple of these performers may not be on your team and could be worth adding on in time for this encounter. Sometimes a little last-minute shopping can be beneficial.
1. LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers (Owned in 83.4 percent of ESPN leagues)
The Steelers' supposed one-two punch of Le’Veon Bell and Blount was more one than two last week, as the one-time New England Patriots’ sledgehammer totaled just four carries last week. Blount did score a touchdown on a seven-yard run, but his other three attempts netted minus-one yards.
2. Markus Wheaton, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers (Owned in 31.6 percent of ESPN leagues)
As a rookie a year ago, Wheaton totaled just six receptions for 64 yards, as injuries were a factor. Last week versus the Browns, the second-year pro was targeted seven times and caught six passes for 97 yards, with one of his grabs totaling 40 yards. He looks like he’ll be growing into the role as the Steelers’ second wideout sooner than later.
3. Owen Daniels, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens (Owned in 1.6 percent of ESPN leagues)
Injuries were a big factor in the former Pro Bowler’s parting of the ways with the Houston Texans. Last week versus the Bengals, Daniels totaled four receptions for 34 yards in his debut with the Ravens. Dennis Pitta is Joe Flacco’s favorite target, but don’t discount this veteran.
Injury Report
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Injury Report
Here is a look at the latest injury report regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, focusing on key performers (courtesy of NFL.com).
Pittsburgh Steelers | ||
Player | Status | |
Dri Archer | RB | Out |
Lance Moore | WR | Out |
Martavis Bryant | WR | Probable |
Steve McClendon | NT | Probable |
Shamarko Thomas | S | Probable |
The absence of Archer certainly hurts the Steelers in terms of special teams and field position, while we will likely see a lot more of wideout Justin Brown (three receptions for 38 yards last week versus the Cleveland Browns) with Moore out for this game.
Having McClendon available is crucial, and the Pittsburgh defense looks to rebound from a contest in which it allowed 183 yards rushing versus the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens | ||
Player | Status | |
Lardarius Webb | CB | Questionable |
Marshal Yanda | G | Probable |
It’s always nice when you see very few players on the injury list. Yanda started last week versus the Cincinnati Bengals and is expected to be ready on this short week.
Meanwhile, the Ravens hope that Webb can make his season debut. The talented corner was inactive in last week’s 23-16 home loss to Cincinnati. In 2013, he was tied for fifth on the team with 74 tackles, had a pair of interceptions and racked up a club-high 22 passes defensed.
Start or Sit
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We know who the stars are when it comes to this contest. But is there a pivotal player or two on your roster that you can’t decide whether to start or sit? Here’s a little help.
WR Justin Brown (Steelers): A sixth-round pick a year ago, Brown didn’t see any action in 2013. Last week versus the Cleveland Browns, he was targeted four times and caught three passes for 38 yards. Still, look for Ben Roethlisberger to rely on Le’Veon Bell and Heath Miller as his third and fourth options.
Verdict: Start
Defense (Steelers): In the past, Dick LeBeau’s defensive unit has had the number of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, as well as other opposing offenses. But this group just doesn’t generate many big plays anymore. In 49 regular-season games dating back to 2011, the Steelers have a total of 55 takeaways.
Verdict: Sit
RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (Ravens): The Steelers allowed 183 yards rushing last week in the win over the Browns. Baltimore actually outgained Marvin Lewis’ club on the ground last week, totaling 94 yards rushing to the Bengals’ 79 yards. But John Harbaugh’s team did it on just 20 carries, as Joe Flacco dropped back 65 times.
Taliaferro did not have a carry last week and was targeted just once in the passing game.
Verdict: Sit
WR Marlon Brown (Ravens): Surprisingly, Brown did not catch a pass last week despite Flacco throwing 62 of them. Last season, he led the Ravens with seven touchdown receptions on 49 catches. Don’t expect him to be that quiet two weeks in a row.
Verdict: Start
Some statistical support provided by Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com. Depth chart info provided by Ourlads.
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