Steelers visit Lamar Jackson, Ravens with first place in AFC North on line

Thu Dec 4 9:24am ET
Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers were fast out of the gates before their success rate plummeted, while the Baltimore Ravens had a chilly start before heating up.

Now the bitter rivals find themselves in the same spot -- a 6-6 record, tied atop the AFC North -- entering Sunday's showdown in Baltimore.

The Ravens were a shaky 1-5 before their bye and then rattled off five straight victories. The last four came after Lamar Jackson's return to health, but then Baltimore was soundly beaten 32-14 by the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving.

Pittsburgh was 4-1 before sliding downward. The Steelers were shamed 26-7 at home by the Buffalo Bills last Sunday for their fifth setback in seven games.

Adding to the importance level is that the two teams meet again in Pittsburgh in Week 18.

Their most recent clash came in the AFC wild-card round of last season's playoffs when the host Ravens beat the Steelers 28-14. Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

In this meeting, Baltimore is interested in getting its offensive back on track. The Ravens possessed the ball for just 21-plus minutes and committed five turnovers (four fumbles, one interception) in the stunning loss to Cincinnati.

Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, committed three of the turnovers and hasn't thrown a TD pass in the past three games.

"I do think you're going to have an off-day sometimes," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. "That's not something that you take lightly, for sure. Listen, Lamar doesn't take it lightly more than anybody. No player on this team takes it lightly."

Henry is 69 yards away from becoming the fourth player in NFL history with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in seven seasons. Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson did it eight times while Emmitt Smith and Adrian Peterson each did it seven times.

Pittsburgh is coming off a sluggish effort in which it gained a season-low 166 yards against the Bills. The Steelers also allowed a season-worst 249 rushing yards.

Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers isn't overly concerned about the poor showing.

"The difference between a great performance and a subpar performance is very thin most of the time," Rodgers said. "It's just little details in the play or the execution, so I think that's part of it. When you have a great game, it's never as good as you think it was, and when you struggle as an offense, personally, it's never as bad as you think it was."

Rodgers is dealing with a broken left wrist sustained Nov. 16 against the Bengals. The injury caused him to miss a loss to the Chicago Bears and he struggled throughout against the Bills.

Rodgers was a season-worst 10-of-21 passing for a season-low 117 yards.

Rodgers said the injury is getting better, but he didn't participate in practice on Wednesday before participating in full on Thursday and Friday.

"It's definitely healing," Rodgers said. "I appreciate the extra day off. I love to practice, so I hate missing practice, but, dealing with what I'm dealing with, it helps to get another day without any pounding on the bones in there."

The Steelers claimed receiver Adam Thielen off waivers. The 35-year-old has 693 career receptions in 12 seasons.

Meanwhile, Baltimore gave tight end Mark Andrews a three-year extension worth a reported $39.3 million on Wednesday. Andrews is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (473), receiving yards (5,862) and touchdown catches (56).

"I just feel incredibly blessed ... to be a part of such an amazing organization throughout these last eight years," Andrews said.

Jackson (ankle) and cornerback Nate Wiggins (foot) came off the injury report Friday and are "good to go," Harbaugh said. Jackson practiced in full on Friday.

Jackson said a teammate stepped on his ankle in practice Wednesday. He sat out Thursday as a precaution. Jackson said he didn't spend much time thinking "what else could go wrong on Wednesday."

"Probably at the moment, but you have to put that aside and lock in," Jackson said.

Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (foot) were ruled out on Friday.

Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) will miss his second straight game. Safety Kyle Dugger (hand) and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (knee) were ruled out Friday.

The Steelers have won eight of the past 10 regular-season meetings between the teams.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
Jordan Addison Dec 5 10:40pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison got off to a hot start after returning from suspension in Week 4. In four games with veteran Carson Wentz at quarterback, Addison recorded 21 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets, ranking as the WR12 with 16.0 PPR points per game. Since Week 9, however, the poor combination of QBs J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer has significantly limited Addison's production, as he's hauled in just 12 of his 33 targets for 139 yards and a touchdown. The 23-year-old wideout has two games with at least 10 targets during that span, and he's caught just seven of them for 84 yards. It's been a frustrating season for Addison and the Vikings' pass-catchers, and it has made it a very tough offense to trust in fantasy football. McCarthy is set to return as the starting quarterback in Week 14 after missing last week due to a concussion. It's a solid matchup for Addison against the Washington Commanders, but he remains a low-end flex play until we see more stability from McCarthy.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Dec 5 10:30pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) has been sidelined since Week 4 after suffering a knee injury and being placed on Injured Reserve. Benson was a non-participant every day in practice this week, marking five missed sessions in a row, and was officially ruled out for Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The second-year back hasn't practiced since last Wednesday, and time is running out for him to return this season. The Florida State product was in line for a workhorse role after James Conner (foot) went down for the season in Week 3, but Benson's opportunity has been derailed by a nagging knee injury that required surgery. He played well in the four games he suited up for this year, recording 29 carries for 160 yards while adding 13 receptions (16 targets) for 64 yards. Benson is still a good stash, as he would be the Cardinals' lead back if he returns, but that's still an unknown as of now. Arizona will continue to rely on the combination of Bam Knightand Michael Carterin Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Dec 5 9:50pm CT
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell converted his lone extra-point try in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It was his second consecutive game without a field goal attempt, but fantasy managers should not be discouraged heading into a Week 14 clash with the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This is an extremely favorable matchup on paper, as Baltimore has surrendered the most made field goals and the most fantasy points to opposing kickers this season. While Pittsburgh's offensive struggles could cap Boswell's ceiling, the stakes of this matchup should ensure the Steelers stay aggressive to generate scoring opportunities with the AFC North title on the line. The 34-year-old is likely to have an important role on Sunday and thus can remain locked into starting fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Darius Cooper Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Darius Cooper

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper achieved his second-highest snap percentage of the season last week against the Bears, seeing 24.1% of offensive plays. This is the first time in his career that he's played over 20% in consecutive games. Unfortunately, Cooper came back down to earth after his two-catch outing against the Cowboys, and was unable to record any stats against Chicago. It is interesting to see the undrafted rookie get some more opportunities, and with fellow WR Jahan Dotson (toe) being limited at the last two practices, Cooper's number could be called even more this week against the Chargers. However, he'll still be behind star wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and he has a lot more work to do to prove himself as a consistent option on this offense. Cooper is still not ready to be rostered in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert tallied fewer than 30 yards for the third straight game in last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. Goedert's scoreless streak has now extended to four games, and he has totaled just 11 targets since Week 11. His recent woes may continue on Monday night as Philly travels to Los Angeles to meet the Chargers, who allow the sixth-least amount of fantasy points to tight ends this season. At this point, Goedert has betrayed what trust is left in him several times. If all of his touchdowns on the season were wiped off the board, he'd have one, arguably two strong showings under his belt. Especially when faced with a strong defense, he should be considered a low-end TE2 in Week 14.

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Jake Elliott Dec 5 9:30pm CT
Jake Elliott

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott missed multiple kicks in a single game for the first time this season against the Chicago Bears, with one of those being his first missed extra point this year. Elliott is tied for the fewest made field goals in the league, hitting just 12 through 13 weeks. This week, Philly plays a Chargers defense that allows 21 points per game, which is the 11th-fewest in the league. With the Eagles recent struggles on offense and Elliott coming off of his worst performance yet, it's best to seek out another kicker for Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Washington Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Darnell Washington

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington led the team in receiving yards last week and should remain involved against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. While the Ravens have been solid against opposing tight ends this season, Washington's blend of size and athleticism may be important for Pittsburgh to keep pace with its division rival. The third-year pro has emerged as a reliable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) and leads all Steelers tight ends in yards after catch and red zone targets. That said, projecting usage remains tricky with Washington sharing snaps alongside Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. He's not a viable option in most redraft formats, but desperate fantasy managers in deeper leagues can consider streaming him in this AFC North clash.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has now gone four straight games without a touchdown, which is his longest scoring drought since 2021. Barkley has also seen a dip in usage over the last couple of weeks, averaging 11.5 carries in his last two outings compared to the 20 he was averaging in Weeks 7-11. Although, this could be chalked up to Philly having to play from behind in their recent back-to-back losses. In Week 14, Barkley faces off against a Chargers defense that allows 106.9 rushing yards per game and has given up 14 touchdowns on the ground through 12 games. It's no daunting matchup, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year is due for a boom game. As long as the Eagles don't find themselves in too big of a hole in this contest-which they shouldn't-bank on Barkley to find his footing again despite the rough patch. He's a low-end RB1 this week.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Dec 5 9:20pm CT
Tank Bigsby

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby only saw the field for one play in last week's loss to the Bears, getting out-snapped by fellow RB Will Shipley. Granted, Shipley himself only got four snaps on offense. Philly had to rely more on the passing game against Chicago due to trailing for over three full quarters, leaving even Saquon Barkley with a light workload. It wasn't a great game to be a backup in this backfield, but Bigsby has shown that he's probably the guy to turn to when Barkley needs relieving going forward. Expect him to see some more action this week against the Chargers, but still not enough to warrant a fantasy start.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Dec 5 9:20pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best performance of the season last week, lighting up the Bears with 10 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. His heavy involvement was in large part thanks to Jalen Hurts throwing 34 passes-his third-most in a game this year. Brown will likely have a tougher time this week as Philly visits the Chargers. Los Angeles boasts one of the best pass defenses in the league, giving up just 12 receiving touchdowns this season-tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. They also allow the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs this year. However, Brown has really hit his stride lately, accumulating a mouth-watering 33 targets over his last three outings, which makes it tough to doubt him now. It'll be a challenge, but slot him in as a high-end WR2 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Dec 5 9:20pm CT
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith failed to impress last week against the Bears, finishing with a mediocre five catches for 48 yards on eight targets. He and A.J. Brown both racked up a hefty majority of looks from Jalen Hurts, but while Brown turned those into a dominant showing, Smith fell behind on the stat sheet. Another problem is that Smith has now matched his longest scoreless streak of the season, going three straight games without finding the end zone. In Week 14 he's up against a Chargers defense allowing just 168.3 passing yards per game-good for second-best in the league. Philly already totes a lackluster passing game-averaging 196.3 yards per game-so there may not be enough to go around for Smith and Brown, not to mention the other weapons on the Eagles offense. It's a scary week to rely on him, so Smith should hover around a low-end WR2/FLEX spot versus Los Angeles.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Dec 5 9:10pm CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was finally back to full speed during last week's win over the New York Giants. Stevenson missed three games due to a toe injury. During that time, rookie TreVeyon Henderson went wild with five touchdowns in three games. The rookie back has rushed for over 60 yards in five of his last six games. Henderson is playing so well that the Pats can't take the ball out of his hands. The expectation is that the two backs will split up the workload down the stretch of the season. Stevenson rushed for 40 yards on 12 attempts last week, while Henderson finished with 67 yards on 11 carries. The Patriots are on a bye this weekend, but the expectation is that Henderson will see a larger chunk of carries over the final four games. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Stevenson while lowering their expectations.

From RotoBaller

Jonnu Smith Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Jonnu Smith

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith has been extremely quiet on the field outside of his nine receptions through the first two games of the season. It has become much worse of late, with Smith posting some games with less than 10 receiving yards. Over the last four games, he has finished with one catch or fewer in three of them. The Steelers have too many tight ends to feed them all consistently. At this point, Smith has fallen behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington in the pecking order at the position. Smith is unlikely to have much success against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. None of these tight ends should be viewed as consistent options, but Smith is by far the worst of the bunch.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III went catchless on two targets in Week 13 and will look to carve out a larger role against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore allows the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, but while the matchup is appealing, Austin's role is becoming increasingly uncertain. Pittsburgh claimed veteran Adam Thielen off waivers earlier this week, signaling a desire to upgrade its receiving corps. It's unclear how involved Thielen will be in his Steelers debut, but any added competition only further clouds Austin's already inconsistent usage. That said, Austin is not a viable fantasy option this week and should remain on waiver wires in most redraft formats.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Dec 5 9:00pm CT
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns but partnered those with two turnovers in last Friday's 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears. Philly's offense has only managed to put up more than 20 points once in their last four games, and they'll have their hands full this week with a Chargers defense on Monday Night Football. Los Angeles has the second-best pass defense in the league this season in terms of touchdowns and yards allowed, giving up just 12 total scores and 168.3 yards per game through 12 contests. However, with Hurts' dual-threat ability and tush pushes always on the table, he's going to be worth a vote of confidence. The Eagles should find their stride on offense with playoffs around the corner, but temper expectations for their passing game in this matchup. Consider Hurts a low-end QB1 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 5 8:50pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was being viewed as a league-winner when he was in the midst of a mid-season surge. He came out of nowhere and had four straight performances with 60 receiving yards or more. Since Week 10, though, Gadsden has been basically invisible on the field. During that span, he has six receptions for 81 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Another factor to consider is that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand. Herbert is hopeful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it's unclear how much he will be impacted by the injury. The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed and could lean on the running game more with rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on track to make his first appearance since Week 5. Gadsden probably won't offer more than TE2 value in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Dec 5 8:50pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been held below 50 receiving yards in five straight games but will hope to turn things around against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore has been vulnerable to receivers this season, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points, the third-most targets, the ninth-most receptions, and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns to the position. With Pittsburgh entering Sunday's divisional showdown as underdogs, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) could be forced to throw often to keep pace in a game that may determine the AFC North front-runner. Despite his recent struggles, Metcalf remains the clear top option in the Steelers' passing game and will need to play a crucial role if they hope to compete. Fantasy managers can deploy Metcalf as a boom-or-bust WR3 or flex play this week.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Dec 5 8:30pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs had a solid mid-season run where he was posting performances in the WR20 range. Now, Doubs appears to have taken a back seat in the receiving game with Christian Watson becoming quarterback Jordan Love's go-to target. Over the last four games, Doubs has finished with fewer than 50 receiving yards in three of them. Doubs managed to salvage his fantasy value with a touchdown during last week's Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions. Given his recent play, Doubs hasn't earned much faith from fantasy managers. The impending return of Jayden Reed (shoulder, foot) will make it even more difficult for Doubs to make an impact in Green Bay's crowded receiving room. For now, Doubs can be viewed as a low-end flex option for the Week 14 divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Golden Dec 5 8:20pm CT
Matthew Golden

Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 14 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. When healthy, Golden has been barely noticeable on the field. The rookie wideout has been held to under 30 receiving yards in three of his last four games. The return of Christian Watson has played a role in Golden's lack of production. It's not going to get better for Golden with fellow wideout Jayden Reed (shoulder, foot) nearing his return from Injured Reserve, possibly this Sunday. Golden played less than 40 percent of the offensive snaps in his last two games. Even if he returns to action this weekend, Golden isn't someone to trust in 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Dec 5 8:20pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had just seven touches in last week's loss but will look to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Despite the light workload in Week 13, Gainwell logged a 42% snap share and posted 25 receiving yards, good enough for third-most on the Steelers. His contributions in the passing game could be especially important on Sunday, as the Ravens surrender the seventh-most targets, ninth-most receptions, and eighth-most receiving yards to opposing running backs. With Pittsburgh lacking consistent playmakers and entering the week as underdogs, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) will need his weapons to step up in the short passing game. Gainwell fits that role well and profiles as a middling PPR flex option for fantasy managers in Week 14.

From RotoBaller