Seahawks vs Steelers fantasy spotlight
By Jeremy Damen
Both the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers have players that appear to be must-start players for your fantasy team.
The Seattle Seahawks (5-5) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) who are coming off a bye as they head to Seattle for a big game for both teams. Both teams have explosive players who can light up the fantasy football score sheet. Who should your must plays be? We’ll go over everything.
Seattle Seahawks
QB Russell Wilson: Russell Wilson had his best fantasy performance of the year, putting up 25.40 points with 3 passing touchdowns. It could have been for more if Rawls wasn’t doing so well for the Seahawks. Those are the type of performances you come to expect from Russell Wilson, and we’ll see vs the Steelers if that keeps up.
Regardless, if Russell Wilson is on your fantasy roster, you’re playing him. The Steelers defense isn’t the same defense of old and there are opportunities to make plays. It’s all about if Seattle executes.
RB Thomas Rawls: If you didn’t know who Thomas Rawls was, you do now. There is now proof that Thomas Rawls isn’t just a limited RB like Robert Turbin was or a RB who lives off of hype like Christine Michael did with Seattle. He’s now proven he’s capable of being a true impact player, and Seattle will surely consider this even when Marshawn Lynch may be ready to play later in the year.
Rawls put up an incredible 37.50 fantasy points and showed off all types of running ability on type of pass catching ability out of the backfield. If you have Rawls, he’s a must start right now.
WR Tyler Lockett: Another standout rookie for the Seahawks that has become fantasy relevant in certain roster situations this year. Tyler Lockett caught 2 touchdowns from Russell Wilson, and it could have been a third but Russell Wilson slighty overthrew him. One thing has become clear: Wilson trusts Lockett.
They have left some plays out there, but even with that, Lockett is quickly becoming one of Wilson’s favorite receivers. If your roster is depleted at WR, Lockett is a play you can make. However, with all the WR’s who get more targets than Lockett, he isn’t a must start because in a low volume offense he’s touchdown reliant for points.
Next: Will Lynch be back before the playoffs?
Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Ben Roethlsberger: Big Ben is healthy and he’s been performing like you would expect him to with the Steelers. Big Ben put up 21 points and 26 points his past two performances and has re-kindled his connection with Antonio Brown.
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The Seahawks defense gave up 250 yards and 1 TD to Blaine Gabbert, who wouldn’t even qualify to be Big Ben’s waterboy. The Seahawks D may be tough, but they are vulnerable at times this year. Equipped with arguably the best WR in the league, look for Big Ben to have a really good game against Seattle. Start him.
RB DeAngelo Williams: DeAngelo has filled in admirably while playing in place of the injured Le’veon Bell. He’s been a little more inconsistent over the past 4 weeks, featuring boom or bust performances that can really hurt your roster. The one thing you don’t want out of a starter on your fantasy team is inconsistency.
Seattle has been pretty tough on RB’s fantasy wise this year, and with that considered I would not feel comfortable playing Williams unless you need to. With the injurise to RB’s this year, you might have to start him. If you can safely bench him, do it.
WR Antonio Brown: In my humble opinion, Antonio Brown is the best WR in the NFL. He’s had some incredible games this year, including a 280 yard receiving game, which is absolutely ridiculous. Antonio Brown was successful even when Big Ben missed games, which is truly a testament to how good of WR he is.
Antonio Brown is a matchup nightmare for the Seahawks CB’s. Even Richard Sherman will struggle to contain him if they opt to have Sherman follow him all game. Antonio is capable of winning in man vs any Seahawks CB and capable of finding the soft spot in the Cover 3 coverages. There is no world in which you’re benching Antonio Brown.