Steelers Fantasy Perspective: Week 6 vs. Chiefs

After a disappointing performance to the Jaguars, the 3-2 Steelers will look to regain momentum as they travel to Kansas City to take on the undefeated 5-0 Chiefs. What should we expect to see from the Steelers starters this week in fantasy football?

Ben Roethlisberger – Sit

It has been quite painful watching Big Ben have his struggles on the field this season. As the offense has sputtered, much of the concern falls onto him. I do believe that Roethlisberger will turn a corner this season, but predicting him to do that on the road against the Chiefs this week is risky for your fantasy lineup. The Chiefs have been surprisingly generous to opposing quarterbacks this season, but until he can show some improvement, keep Big Ben on your bench.

Le’Veon Bell – Start

The Chiefs have been extremely stingy against fantasy running backs this season, likely making you question whether or not you should start Le’Veon Bell this week. The short answer: yes. Bell simply put, Bell has too many total touches each week to even consider benching him. I have a gut feeling that the Steelers will try to feed him the ball some more this week too, as that has been a recipe for success during his career. It might be worrisome, but Bell is almost always firmly entrenched in the “must start” category.

Embed from Getty Images

Antonio Brown – Start

If you pay attention to trends and Brown is alternating weeks of big production, it would appear that this week would be a down week for him. However, just as with Bell, Brown commands such a high volume of passes in this offense that he is always in the “must start” category. The Chiefs allowed a generous average per catch through the air last week and allowed 5 passing touchdowns. I’m not sure that that’ll happen this week, but it’s worth noting. Either way, go ahead and start Brown in your lineups and hope for another big output.

Martavis Bryant – Sit

While many believe that this could be a bounce back game for the Steelers (specifically Ben Roethlisberger), Martavis Bryant hasn’t shown enough production on the road in his career to warrant starting in your lineup. The Steelers recent struggles offensively make him that much more of a risk to start. Use him only as an extreme desperation flex starter or WR3. Otherwise, keep him out of your lineup.

JuJu Smith-Schuster – Sit

It is evident that the Steelers are working Smith-Schuster into the lineup more and more, as he has out-snapped Bryant in recent weeks. His chemistry with Roethlisberger is growing (although Week 5 was not his best display of that). While he is seeing the field, he has not been anything more than a solid receiver underneath and potential redzone threat for Big Ben. Because of that, it is best to keep him on your bench, especially as the season the offense continues to develop.

Eli Rogers – Sit

Eli Rogers has been in Tomlin’s doghouse but reports indicate that that’s going to change this week. Rogers has been reliable during his time with the Steelers, but in a struggling offense that only has so many passes to go around, it isn’t worth starting him.

Jesse James – Sit

Two important things to know about this matchup: 1) the Chiefs have not given up a touchdown to an opposing tight end all season and 2) Jesse James has not reached the endzone since his 2 touchdown outing Week 1. The tight end position is shallow in the fantasy world, but there must certainly be better players to stream for fantasy purposes this week. James has a role in this offense, but it isn’t good enough to have him in your lineup.

Embed from Getty Images

Steelers D/ST – Sit

The Steelers defense has been an improvement this season over last year, but their biggest shortcoming has undoubtedly been against the run. With a dynamic playmaker like Kareem Hunt, that creates a terrible matchup for a Steelers team trying to rebound after a poor showing in that area last week against the Jaguars. The Chiefs offense has been one of the most impressive and efficient units this season in the NFL and I don’t envision that stopping anytime soon. Leave the Steelers on your waiver wire.

Chris Boswell – Start

Chris Boswell has continually found ways to save this offense during his career, specifically being the only player to score points. Not only did he do it last week against the Jaguars, but you must also remember his 6 field goal output that defeated the Chiefs last season in the playoffs. Boswell is almost always a safe bet (albeit sometimes unspectacular) to start in fantasy due to the Steelers ability to move the football between the 20’s but stall in the redzone.


Suggested articles from our sponsors