It’s tempting to give the Browns a better shot to win this one that they probably deserve. After all, the Steelers are on a four-game slide that includes baffling losses to the Chiefs and Raiders, and they’ll be without two team captains (Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward). When you look at the game from the Browns’ perspective, your season’s effectively over, but at least you can spoil the playoff hopes of your long-time rival. They’ll show up to play (unlike most weeks).
Still, it’s the frigging Browns. My money’s on Pittsburgh.
From a fantasy perspective, Cleveland is generally a statistical bonanza for opposing players. They give up the second-most points to fantasy RBs and the tenth-most to QBs. Tight ends do particularly well against them (6th-most points) while they’re in the top half of the league in terms of defending against wide receivers. Heath Miller is a must-start, especially with Ward on the bench. Ben Roethlisberger is just a step below the elite QBs this week – I’d consider him a top-5 or -6 QB. Santonio Holmes had 104 yards against the Browns in week 6, and with Ward out he’ll likely be targeted more, so he’s an excellent start unless the weather limits the Steelers’ ability to go vertical. Rashard Mendenhall’s ankle should be fine, and given the weather, he’ll get a ton of touches against that awful rush defense. He’s easily a top-10 back this week.
The Steelers, on the other hand, remain a tough fantasy opponent, though less so in recent weeks. They’re second only to the Vikings at stopping the run, so don’t expect much from Jerome Harrison (just hope he doesn’t get hurt – the Browns have KC and OAK coming up on the schedule). I have zero faith in Brady Quinn on a sunny 70-degree day, so I wouldn’t start him in the snow if you held a gun to my head. Same for any of the Browns receivers – if you’re thinking about starting any of them, how the hell did you make your league’s playoffs? Evan Moore could be a sneaky TE play if you’re desperate, given that Quinn will probably be going to his check-down option quite a bit.
Squish (252)
E-roc (119)
Shirley (64)
Jeff (53)
Mal (45)
Tommy (45)
Ken (42)
Amir (37)
TJ (29)
Eh maybe next year.
TJ 10:20 am on 12/15/2009 Permalink
How would you rank these D’s for this week: GB, Bal, ARI, DEN, SEA, ATL.
Brandon 10:34 am on 12/16/2009 Permalink
Denver, Seattle, Arizona, Green Bay, Baltimore, Atlanta.
Tommy 10:28 am on 12/15/2009 Permalink
Do you think Green Bay is worse than any of Seattle, Atlanta, Houston, KC?
Brandon 10:35 am on 12/16/2009 Permalink
See my response to TJ above, but this week I like Seattle more than Green Bay.
Tommy 10:40 am on 12/15/2009 Permalink
Ahmad Bradshaw, Arian Foster, or Jerome Harrison? w/r spot… also have chris brown
Brandon 10:36 am on 12/16/2009 Permalink
I like Bradshaw. The other guys are too big of a question mark at this point.
Pinwiz 10:41 am on 12/15/2009 Permalink
Sure, rub it in those of you still in the playoffs… I’m going to be in the corner sulking and cursing Kurt Warner.
Squish 12:40 pm on 12/15/2009 Permalink
I understand that. I’m lucky the league I played him was a meaningless game this week.
Not doing to bad on the year myself I think. In the playoffs with all 15 of my teams. I Got 3 knocked out this week because I didn’t get a chance to set my lineups. The good news is they were my worst teams. Flea flicker has 2 of my teams knocked out along with 3 first round byes this week and 4 second round matchups. Yahoo has all 3 of my teams remaining with 2 first round matchups this week and one second round. I like to think I can pull down at least a few championships this season!
s 2 da a L 8:21 pm on 12/15/2009 Permalink
similar boat – difference between playoffs and consolation ladder is Greg Jennings. I needed 10 points last Monday night. He came up short. I changed my name to Greg Jenning’s Failure and put up a goofy picture of that wasted draft pick. I ended the “regular” season with 5 straight losses, too. smh
Terry 8:32 pm on 12/15/2009 Permalink
Concern about Steelers D verses GB this week? Didn’t like what I saw last week.
Squish 9:14 pm on 12/15/2009 Permalink
I agree, PIT’s Defense has had some great matchups the last few games and they haven’t done anything of relevance in any of those weeks. I’ve downgraded them to the 10-15 rank of defenses this week. There are simply too many other great options that actually provide each week.
In order this week, I like ARI, BAL, DEN, MIN, PHI, GB, HOU, NYJ, then NE.