Behind the Steel Curtain closes the show with Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger - The Steelers are putting up tons of yards every week through the air and the thing stopping Roethlisberger from being a top tier fantasy quarterback is the Steelers inability to score touchdowns in the redzone. Roethlisberger is averaging almost three hundred passing yards per game and a touchdown in the first three weeks of the season. San Diego has not been all that impressive on the defensive side of the ball so I would look for another strong performance from Ben Roethlisberger.
Fantasy Scouting Report: Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker/ Rashard Mendenhall/ Mewelde Moore – Willie Parker has yet to practice this week due to a turf toe injury that he developed last week against the Bengals. Reports out of Pittsburgh today is that Willie Parker is unlikely to play, although it will probably be a game-time decision. If you are a Willie Parker owner and Rashard Mendenhall or Mewelde Moore are available in your league I would attempt to pick them up before Sunday Night’s game against the Chargers in case Parker is unable to start. Turf Toe has a tendency to linger for a while and it could increase the role that Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall play in the offense for the rest of the season. Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians said that Mendenhall had a much better week of practice and if Parker is indeed unable to go on Sunday this could be Mendenhall’s breakout game.
Hines Ward - Hines Ward became the first Steelers receiver to break 10,000 yards in his career. This is quite an accomplishment for Ward who has played his entire career in Pittsburgh where the offense has primarily been “run-first.” Hines has not yet seen the endzone this season, but this week might change that with the Chargers and the Steelers both having high powered offenses with defenses that aren’t playing up to expectations.
Santonio Holmes – After a promising week one where Holmes posted over a hundred yards and a touchdown Santonio Holmes fantasy owners were thinking they had a true number one receiver. Since that first game Holmes has struggled and throughout the season he has been targeted 30 times and only brought in 15 of those targets. Perhaps Holmes became complacent with his success or perhaps opposing teams are covering him differently, but either way Holmes needs to step up if the Steelers look to compete in a very competitive AFC North. Mike Tomlin has a way of keeping Holmes motivated and I would look for Santonio to bounce back with some solid games sooner rather than later.
Mike Wallace – If you are looking for a possible sleeper pick-up Mike Wallace might be the guy. He broke 100 yards receiving last week against the Bengals and is really starting to get with Ben Roethlisberger. If you are in a keeper league and you have an extra spot on your roster I would pick up Wallace because he is making a large impact on the Steelers offense in his rookie season and with an aging Hines Ward he could be the future star of the Steelers receiving corp for years to come.
Limas Sweed – If your fantasy league gives points for dropped touchdown passes Limas Sweed is your man.
Defense – I have a suspicion that this week might be a shoot-out between two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. If you are fortunate enough to have another defense on your roster, this might be a week to think about giving the Steelers defense a rest. Judging by their performance late in games this season the extra rest might do them some good.
You know the deal, for Steelers news, it’s Behind the Steel Curtain.
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