As we spoke of earlier, this is not your father’s Steelers’
defense and they are vulnerable to the pass (allowing a league-worst
42.1 FPts/G to opposing wideouts). Ryan has been good at home
and both Pittman and Campbell (averaging 7.5 targets-per game
since Week 6) should be fantasy-worthy.
“Scary” Terry McLaurin has improved production numbers since
Taylor Heinicke replaced Carson Wentz. His production has gone
from 11.18 FPts/G to 15.12 points. He’s ranked 18th over that
span vs. 30th for the season. Meanwhile, The Falcons are allowing
41.6 FPts/G to opposing wideouts (31st). McLaurin, Curtis Samuel
and rookie Jahan Dotson could all be viable options.
Assuming Ja’Marr Chase is still not ready to return to
the field (Joe Burrow said he expected him back, but HC Zac Taylor
was non-committal), both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd should thrive
this weekend. Whoever is out there should produce against a Titans’
pass defense which allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing
WRs (40.7 FPts/G).
Diontae Johnson has seen just five targets in each of the last
two games and not done much with them (8-84-0). Meanwhile, rookie
George Pickens has taken his last 10 targets over those two game
and produced (8-115-1) and run for another touchdown. Quarterback
Kenny Pickett has been struggling of late, as rookies tend to
do, and Johnson has managed just one double-digit game since Week
6.
Given the options at quarterback and the league’s best
pass defense on the other side of the ball, you should pick almost
anyone before D.J. Moore. Over the past three games Moore is averaging
three catches for 25.7 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. Stay
away. Stay far away.
The Patriots are pretty good at shutting down wide receivers,
ranking No. 3 in the league and allowing just 27.4 FPts/G. Assuming
Justin Jefferson will get his share, that won’t leave much
for Adam Thielen or K.J. Osborn. Thielen hasn’t scored since
Week 6 and has just two touchdown receptions all season.
