Thursday Night Football: Steelers vs. Browns

Thursday Night Football: Steelers vs. Browns

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You can watch Thursday Night Football: Steelers vs. Browns at 8:20 PM ET/5:20 PM PT on Amazon Prime Video.

We get another dose of divisional action tonight as the 8-2 Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Ohio to take on the 2-8 Cleveland Browns. Now, the last few divisional matchups we’ve had on TNF have been pretty good for fantasy football purposes, so we have to hope this one doesn’t turn into your typical AFC North (or rather Steelers-specific) rock showdown where it seems only kickers and punters have their day (looking at you, Chris Boswell).

Let’s go to the story of the tape.

As mentioned in the introduction, the Steelers thrive in games that feature tough running, even tougher defense, and a final score that looks more like a hockey game than a football game (okay, okay, I’m exaggerating, but when you’re investing in fantasy prospects the Steelers aren’t the best draw for your players). This style of play is not exactly suited to opposing receivers. Let’s take a look at just some of the high-profile catchers facing Pittsburgh this season:

  • Drake London (2-15)

  • Courtland Sutton (1-26)

  • Quentin Johnston / Ladd McConkey (combined 5-88-1)

  • Michael Pittman Jr. / Josh Downs (combined 14-195-1)

  • CeeDee Lamb (5-62)

  • Brock Bowers (9-71)

  • Garrett Wilson / Davante Adams (combined 8-91)

  • Malik Nabers (7-71)

Outside of Joe Flacco’s flare up the middle, the Steelers have held opposing receivers in check for the most part, especially as names and resumes have become clearer.

But let’s look at things specifically from the context of this game. The Steelers should beat the Browns as the better team. But we can’t ignore the main factor: Jameis Winston.

Winston was everything fantasy managers dreamed of: his usual gunslinger self, raising the ceilings of every Browns pass catcher, regardless of matchup or situation. The Browns have also been incredibly fit since Winston took over; Whether that’s because they know the passing game gives them the best chance to win, or because they realize Nick Chubb won’t return to form this season, remains to be seen. Still, Winston’s chuck-it nature reinvigorated David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore. Njoku, Moore and Jeudy all had great games last week, even though the Browns ended up falling 35-14.

Sure, the injury-wracked Saints defense pales in comparison to the Steelers, but with Cleveland adopting a pass-first mindset (and then, when the pass fails, pass again), those pass catchers should get their chances in this game. .

My biggest concern is Tillman, who will likely get targets, but will be followed by Joey Porter Jr. So while I expect more catches than last week, Tillman’s ceiling may be limited. Fortunately, Winston is no stranger to throwing the ball around. I’m starting all Tillman, Njoku, and Jeudy and considering Moore in the deep leagues.

Now let’s just hope that the weather will allow the transition – it looks like rain during the game.

It seems hanging out with Najee Harris was more common than singing his praises. He’s too slow, doesn’t have electricity in runs, has to share the load with Jaylen Warren, doesn’t catch passes.

Blah, blah, blah. All Harris has done since Week 6 is produce.

Even last week, when he was held under 70 rushing yards, Harris totaled 93 yards thanks to four catches. As Matt Harmon has said this season, Russell Wilson has been a “touchdown or checkdown” quarterback (Both Harris and Warren caught four passes apiece last week) in the context of a Steelers’ play-action offense.

Essentially, even in tough matchups, Harris has a safe floor and a solid ceiling. He comes into this game riding a touchdown streak or 90 total yards in five straight games. Expect the streak to continue tonight.

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Mike Williams joined the Steelers and immediately caught one pass for a deep touchdown. Basically his bread and butter. And it’s a skill that works well with Russell Wilson’s strengths.

Of course, in his second game as a Steeler, Williams didn’t get a single target, putting up a big fat zero for the big leaguers who jumped at the chance at a big-play receiver in a plus matchup.

Williams is only listed in 16% of leagues, down 4% from last week, which is understandable. But I’d keep him tucked away on the bench if you can – it’s not out of the question that Williams settles into the MVS role, that 3-120-1 type role. That probably wouldn’t change the views of George Pickens or Harris.

Williams was fighting a losing battle in a crowded room with the Jets’ offensive weapons. But there’s room for him to thrive on this Steelers team with the way it’s built and the way the offense likes to play. As for his amendment, I remain cautiously optimistic; if he can make a big play or two in a plus game tonight, I’ll add him off the waiver wire.

You’re probably reading the above headline and thinking one of two things: 1) “Who cares about a non-10 TE?” or 2) “I’m not considering a starting tight end, not with Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, Evan Engram and Taysom Hill saying goodbye .”

And I understand both feelings. It’s not fun for me either. But just as you probably think one of these two things, you also need to understand two other things. 1) Pat Freiermuth (54% of the roster) has seemingly been shut out of the Steelers offense, except for the occasional short run through the middle target or a red target scramble-drill – he hasn’t cracked the three-target mark in any of his last few carries. six games and 2) the Browns have completely silenced opposing tight ends this season.

Don’t let the green on your fantasy app fool you – if you have a better option at TE this week (maybe you got Will Dissly or Jonna Smith or Zach Ertz or want to go deep with Ja’Tavion Sanders), throw them up.

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