Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Outlook vs. Tennessee Titans

Ben Roethlisberger

(7) passes under pressure against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tennessee Titans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports” width=”590″ height=”410″ /> Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes under pressure against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tennessee Titans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A quick look at the fantasy implications of this week’s matchup at the Tennessee Titans.

First, a look back:

Roethlisberger was coming in hot. Record setting performances and a wealth of talent at the skill positions. The Jets hadn’t won a game since early September. Ben was supposed to throw up and down the field last Sunday. The Jets had other ideas.

The Steelers have been the model of inconsistency this year. Ben has looked unstoppable at times this season, and incompetent at others. In three games against the Texans, Colts, and Ravens, Roethlisberger threw for fourteen touchdowns and zero interceptions. In five games against the Browns, Jaguars, Jets, and those same Ravens, he threw for four touchdowns and five interceptions (two of the games were against the Browns).

The Steelers’ franchise quarterback has had a few of the best fantasy outings of the season, and a few of the worst. In most cases, his team’s win-loss columns have reflected that.

Last week, the Tennessee Titans kept Joe Flacco to one hundred sixty-nine yards on twenty-seven attempts. Flacco was able to get into the end zone once, wasn’t intercepted, and he was sacked only once. All that said, his numbers were pedestrian.

The Titans aren’t great but neither is Ben’s matchup. The quarterback has struggled on the road. He has lost three of five on the road this year. Five of his twenty-three touchdowns have come on the road, along with four of his five interceptions. Temper expectations.

Over the last two games, backfield dynamo Le’Veon Bell has experienced his lowest touch totals of the season, his lowest yards per carry average, and his lowest yards per catch average. Luckily for him, the Titans have not been very good against the run. Just ask Ravens’ running back Justin Forsett. The Steelers need to protect the ball and come away with a win on the road. A heavy dose of Bell could be the right recipe.

It’s nice seeing the player wearing number ten making plays. With Ryan Shazier on and off the field with injuries, Martivis Bryant is running away as the Steelers’ best rookie. It’s unrealistic to think that Bryant can keep up his ridiculous pace, but it’s also silly to sit him. Ben obviously wants to throw touchdown passes to this guy. Also, consider that Bryant shouldn’t have to worry about a rookie wall since he didn’t dress, let alone start, until week seven.

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Antonio Brown is Antonio Brown. He’ll get the ball, and there is always a chance he’ll score. I hope he rubs off on Bryant.

Not surprising considering their record, the Titans don’t have much to offer to the fantasy world. Their biggest offensive weapon is tight end Delanie Walker–a good player, but not Jimmy Graham or Julius Thomas good. Walker might not be available for Monday’s game after suffering a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens last week.

This will be an interesting matchup for the Steelers. They need a road win before the bye week to stay relevant in a tight division. After the bye, the Steelers face a meaty schedule with two games against the Bengals, home matchups with the Saints and Chiefs, and a visit to the Georgia Dome to face the Falcons.

Here we go Steelers!

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