Steelers vs. Bengals Fantasy outlook
By Remy Retro
Fantasy leagues are in their semi-finals so the stakes are high this weekend.
There are three games left in the season all of which the Steelers will face AFC North foes. Pittsburgh has a one game lead on the Baltimore Ravens, whom they play in two weeks on Christmas day. This week they are in Cincinnati. Most fantasy leagues are in their semi-finals so the stakes are high this weekend.
MUSTS: Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Tyler Eifert
Bell and Brown are starting for everyone this week in the fantasy playoffs. The Steelers are giving up a lot of fantasy points to tight ends and Eifert has had success against Pittsburgh in the past. He was injured for the first matchup this season but with A.J. Green unavailable, Eifert is one of Andy Dalton’s preferred targets.
MIGHTS: Ben Roethlisberger, Jeremy Hill
For the past several weeks Brown Bell and Ben Roethlisberger were must starts, but Ben struggled last week in Buffalo. In the first round of the fantasy playoffs he was more than disappointing and may have cost owners their matchups. He also doesn’t have the best fantasy stats in the last few years in Cincinnati. He does still have the very successful winning record when in the state of Ohio, but if you have other alternatives at Quarterback that appear solid, they may be the better choice.
Hill is definitely a might. While the Steelers are giving up points to opposing running backs, overall they are the 4th best team in the NFL against the run. Giovani Bernard is out for the season on I.R. leaving Hill as the main back. Hill’s skill set is more one dimensional and the Steelers defense should be able to keep him under control.
MISSES: Cincinnati WRs
In the last meeting back in Week Two, the Steelers held A.J. Green to under forty yards receiving. Green is clearly a cut above Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd. Boyd did catch all six of his targets last week and may have more value in a PPR format, but I am still looking for alternatives to starting the Bengals receivers.
Next: Do or Die: Can Pittsburgh make a run at the playoffs?
Post-season countdown, three games to go.