START/SIT ASSIST | TRADE CALCULATOR
Week 14 kicks off with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Minnesota Vikings. Pittsburgh is coming off a last second win on a failed Raven 2pt conversion. The Vikings are coming off of a last second loss to the Lions. Both teams are currently on the outside of the playoff picture and likely need a win to keep any hopes alive.
Both defenses have been susceptible recently and this one could be back n forth. I like Jefferson the most in this game and hope his price keeps his ownership down a bit but I won’t hold my breath. My other options for captain I like pretty equally in Mattison and Diontae. Both offer a safe floor and either could finish as the highest scorer in this game. I will use Cousins as captain in some larger field tournaments but very sparingly. It is a bit tricky because there’s a lack of value plays on the slate. I’m not gonna write them up below but I’ll use the Kickers in a couple of lineups instead of some absolute punts.
Injuries to Monitor
Dalvin Cook is still recovering from his dislocated shoulder. He is listed as questionable but unlikely to play.
Adam Thielen has a sprained ankle and will be out for this game.
Ben Roethlisberger has been dealing with a pectoral injury that has him listed as questionable. He has played through it and should be available for this game.
Chase Claypool has been playing through a toe injury. He is listed as questionable but has been able to play through it over the past few weeks.
Spread: MIN -3
Over/Under: 44.5
Captain/ Flex
Justin Jefferson
$16,500/$11,000
Jefferson has averaged 14 targets and 144 yards over the last four games and his target share will increase in Thielen’s absence. He has the most air yards this season. The Steelers are bottom five in passing yards per game allowed over the last three weeks.
Alexander Mattison
$14,700/$9,800
In three games without Cook this season, Mattison is averaging 29 touches and 149 yards from scrimmage. The Steelers are bottom five in rushing yards per game allowed over the last three weeks.
Dontae Johnson
$15,300/$10,200
Johnson has nine games with double digit targets. He’s had at least seven receptions in each of his last four games. He’s topped 100 yards twice and scored 3 TDs over that span. The Vikings have allowed the 2nd most passing yards per game over the last three weeks.
Kirk Cousins
$15,600/$10,400
Cousins is coming off his 9th game of the season with multiple passing TDs. He’s averaging 21.5 DraftKings points per game. The Steelers are bottom five in passing yards allowed per game and bottom seven in passing TDs allowed per game over the last three games.
The Rest
Najee Harris $10,000
Najee is averaging 23 touches a game. He’s had six games with at least five receptions. The Vikings are bottom 10 in yards per rush allowed over the last three weeks.
Ben Roethlisberger $9,000
Ben has been underwhelming in his farewell season but he has been better recently. He’s thrown multiple TDs in three of his last four games. The Vikings have given up the 2nd most passing yards per game over the last three weeks.
Chase Claypool $7,400
Claypool has an average depth of target of 16.15 yards over the last three weeks. He’s top 10 in air yards over that span. The Vikings have given up the 3rd most yards per reception this season.
KJ Osborn $5,600
Osborn has shown flashes this season and has been productive when targeted. He has four games with at least six targets and has scored a TD in three of them. He saw seven targets last week when Thielen went out.
Pat Freiermuth $6,600
Freiermuth has been a solid option at TE, scoring a TD in four of his last six games with five total TDs over that span. He’s had at least three receptions in each of those games.
Tyler Conklin $6,200
With no Thielen, Conklin took over as the short target option. He had nine targets and seven receptions last week. He’s had at least four receptions in six games this season.
Ray Ray McCloud $3,200
McCloud is two games removed from a nine catch performance. After missing Week 12 with Covid, he played the 2nd most snaps of the WRs and had four targets.
Dede Westbrook $2,200
Westbrook played 42% of snaps last week. When the Vikings are in three wide receiver sets, Westbrook will be on the field and will see some targets.
Kene Nwangwu $1,600
Kene is electric with the ball in his hands which gives him some appeal. He could break a long TD in his limited TDs or has a chance to return a kick to the house.
