Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Steelers vs. Browns
Off of a crushing Week 16 loss, Pittsburgh now needs some help.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Everything was shaping up well for the Pittsburgh Steelers to close the season hot and reach the playoffs. Instead, an upset loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 have the Steelers desperate. They need a win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday and some help if they want to re-stake their claim on a playoff spot.
The Steelers have three of their key fantasy contributors on the weekly injury report: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Martavis Bryant and tight end Heath Miller. Roethlisberger and Miller should be fine for Sunday, while Bryant, officially "questionable" with an illness, is a situation to monitor when active reports come out. The Browns, meanwhile, will be without quarterback Johnny Manziel for Sunday's game. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin is dealing with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.
The Browns host the Steelers Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
STEELERS
Start ‘em: Even off of an awful Week 16, the regular Pittsburgh starters (quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, didn't-actually-struggle-last-week running back DeAngelo Williams and wide receiver Antonio Brown) still need to be in all fantasy lineups. ... Chris Boswell put up five fantasy points last week, his worst game in two months. He's a fantasy starter. ... The Steelers' defense put up a fantasy goose-egg last week, but with Cleveland on its third quarterback, this is a unit you want.
Start ‘em?: If the illness for Martavis Bryant holds him out Sunday, obviously he’s not a fantasy option. Assuming he plays, he’s struggled a bit more of late and should be only a flex consideration.
Sit ‘em: Bryant or no Bryant, it's hard to imagine trusting Markus Wheaton in the season's final week. ... Heath Miller has reached double-digit fantasy points exactly once all season.
BROWNS
Start ‘em: Not many tight ends have been as productive this season as Gary Barnidge, no matter who is throwing him the ball.
Start ‘em?: It's nice to see Isaiah Crowell end the season on a bit of a hot stretch, but against Pittsburgh's strong run defense, he isn't anything beyond a risky flex play.
Sit ‘em: It's not Austin Davis' fault he isn't really a viable NFL quarterback, but he isn't. ... The recent surge by Crowell leaves Duke Johnson Jr. on fantasy benches. ...Travis Benjamin has seen his production plummet lately, and now he's injured to boot. ... Travis Coons had 14 and 15 fantasy points in Week 4-5. He hasn't put up more than eight in a game since. ... The Browns' defense shouldn't combat the Pittsburgh offense well at all.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Ben Roethlisberger, DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown, Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh defense, Gary Barnidge
Start if you’re desperate: Martavis Bryant, Isaiah Crowell
Bench: Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller, Austin Davis, Duke Johnson Jr., Travis Benjamin, Travis Coons, Cleveland defense
