Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Aaron Rodgers | QB | QB2 |
| Jaylen Warren | RB | RB1/2 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | RB | RB3/4 |
| D.K. Metcalf | WR | WR2 |
| Calvin Austin | WR | WR5 |
| Roman Wilson | WR | WR5 |
| Jonnu Smith | TE | TE2 |
| Pat Freiermuth | TE | TE2 |
Chargers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Justin Herbert | QB | QB1 |
| Kimani Vidal | RB | RB2 |
| Quentin Johnston | WR | WR2 |
| Keenan Allen | WR | WR3 |
| Ladd McConkey | WR | WR2 |
| Oronde Gadsden II | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Jaylen Warren is the RB17 in fantasy points per game, ranking 22nd in snap share, 21st in opportunity share, and 13th in red zone touches. Warren should have a strong game this week. Warren has averaged 17.1 touches and 85.3 total yards. Among 62 qualifying backs, he ranks ninth in missed tackle rate and 14th in yards after contact per attempt. He should shred the Chargers’ run defense this week. Since Week 5, they have allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt, the fourth-highest yards before contact per attempt, and had the 11th-lowest stuff rate.
Last week, Quentin Johnston saw his usage bounce back with a 17.2% target share and a team-leading 23.5% first-read share. He finished with four receptions, 53 receiving yards, and a score as the WR23 for the week. It was his best performance since Week 4, and he’s primed to build upon it this week. Pittsburgh has the third-highest single high rate in the NFL (61.2%). Prior to his hamstring injury (Weeks 1-4), against single high, Johnston had a 25.8% target share, 2.46 yards per route run, and a 30.4% first-read share. With the reemergence of Ladd McConkey in recent weeks, I don’t know if Johnston gets back to that type of usage, but I do think he’ll likely be a top-two target for Justin Herbert this week against this single high heavy defense. Since Week 5, the Steelers have allowed the most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Since Week 5, Ladd McConkey has been the WR13 in fantasy points per game with a 25.6% target share, 70 receiving yards per game, 1.98 yards per route run, and a 25.2% first-read share. In those five games, he has had eight red zone targets and five deep targets. Pittsburgh has the third-highest single high rate in the NFL (61.2%). Since Week 5, against single high, McConkey has had a 29% target per route run rate and 2.86 yards per route run. Since Week 5, Pittsburgh has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game and the eighth-most PPR points per target to slot receivers. McConkey should have another strong game this week.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Since Week 6, Kimani Vidal has been the RB19 in fantasy points per game with 17.5 touches and 82.6 total yards per game. Among 62 qualifying backs, he ranks sixth in explosive run rate and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh run defense that, since Week 5, has allowed the 14th-lowest explosive run rate, the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game, and ranked 17th in missed tackle rate. During the same span, the Steelers have also had the sixth-lowest stuff rate and allowed the tenth-most yards after contact per attempt. They are all over the map with analytical markers, so there’s a path for Vidal to have a solid game this week, but behind the Bolts’ beat-up offensive line, I don’t know if they’ll be able to clear the way for him consistently, but I could be wrong.
Across the last two games, Keenan Allen has been splitting routes with Tre Harris. His route share has dipped to 50.7% with an 18.5% target share, 42.5 receiving yards per game, 2.30 yards per route run, and a 16.7% first-read share. The route dip for Allen caps his ceiling weekly despite his still strong per-route efficiency and usage. Pittsburgh has the third-highest single high rate in the NFL (61.2%). Allen leads the team with a 29% target per route run rate against single high with 1.98 yards per route run. Maybe his route share ticks back up this week in a game suited for his skillset. We’ll see. Since Week 5, the Steelers have allowed the most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers. Allen is a strong flex, but his playing time will determine his floor and ceiling this week.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Aaron Rodgers continues to play the role of game manager for Pittsburgh with only two QB1 performances this season, as the QB18 in fantasy points per game. He’s just another low-end QB2 against this week. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Rodgers has the lowest aDOT, the 13th-lowest deep throw rate, ranks 25th in yards per attempt, and 20th in fantasy points per dropback. Since Week 5, the Bolts have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game, the eighth-lowest success rate per dropback, and the seventh-lowest CPOE.
D.K. Metcalf hasn’t had the type of season that many had hoped for at this point. He is the WR25 in fantasy points per game with a 19.6% target share, a 37.4% air-yard share, 58.4 receiving yards per game, 2.06 yards per route run, and a 25.3% first-read share. He leads the team with eight red zone targets and nine deep targets. This week, he faces a Chargers’ secondary that, since Week 6, has utilized two high at the second-highest rate (63.4%). Against two high, Metcalf has seen his target per route run rate drop to 15% (fourth on the team) with 1.97 yards per route run. Metcalf needs a touchdown to pay off for fantasy this week. Since Week 5, Los Angeles has allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points per target and the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
**The Steelers’ tight ends have become unplayable for fantasy again. Last week, Pat Freiermuth had only a 43.6% route share while Jonnu Smith logged a 41% route share. That’s not enough playing time for tight ends facing a defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to the position.**
LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers
Eagles Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jalen Hurts | QB | QB1 |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | RB1 |
| A.J. Brown | WR | WR1 |
| DeVonta Smith | WR | WR2 |
| Jahan Dotson | WR | WR5 |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | TE1 |
Packers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jordan Love | QB | QB1/2 |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | RB1 |
| Romeo Doubs | WR | WR3 |
| Matthew Golden | WR | TBD |
| Christian Watson | WR | WR4 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | WR | WR5 |
| Luke Musgrave | TE | TE2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
A.J. Brown is the WR33 in fantasy points per game with three top-20 wide receiver weekly finishes, including two in his last two games (WR19, WR4). Brown has a 25.6% target share, 56.4 receiving yards per game, 1.83 yards per route run, and a 33.1% first-read share. He has five red zone targets and ten deep targets this season. Brown gets the Packers at a time when their secondary has taken a step back against perimeter wide receivers. Since Week 5, they have allowed the tenth-most PPR points per target and the sixth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Brown should continue the hot streak in Week 10.
DeVonta Smith has had a wonderful season thus far as the WR14 in fantasy points per game. He has finished as a top-20 wide receiver in weekly scoring in four of his last six games. He ranks second on the team in red zone targets (six) and leads the team in deep targets (12). Smith has a 26% target share with 73.5 receiving yards per game, 2.37 yards per route run, and a 31.9% first-read share. He has a tougher matchup this week, but Smith still has the talent to succeed. Since Week 5, Green Bay has ranked 20th in PPR points per target against slot receivers and 15th in passer rating when the position has been targeted. I do expect A.J. Brown to lead the passing attack this week.
Romeo Doubs was an offseason love list player for me and he’s performing in 2025 as the WR30 in fantasy points per game. He has five top-36 finishes in weekly scoring. Doubs is second on the team in red zone targets (ten) and leads the team in deep targets (ten). Doubs has a 20.8% target share, 55.1 receiving yards per game, 2.02 yards per route run, and a 25.9% first-read share. Doubs remains a solid flex play this week. Since Week 5, Philly has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game and ranked 19th in fantasy points per game allowed to perimeter wide receivers.
Dallas Goedert is the TE5 in fantasy points per game while leading all tight ends with seven touchdowns. Goedert has a 19.7% target share with 41.3 receiving yards per game with 1.54 yards per route run, and a 20.5% first-read share. He leads the team with seven red zone targets while also seeing six deep targets. The Packers are a middle-of-the-road matchup that Goedert should still succeed against. Green Bay ranks 17th in receiving yards per game and schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Jordan Love is rounding into form. He has been playing quite well this season, but the Green Bay passing volume has held him back. He ranks 16th in dropbacks this season despite excelling in per-dropback metrics. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks eighth in passing yards per game, fourth in yards per attempt, seventh in passer rating, 12th in highly accurate throw rate, and 13th in hero throw rate. He faces a Philly pass defense that added weapons at the trade deadline. Since Week 5, they have ranked 17th in yards per attempt while holding passers to the eighth-lowest passer rating, the second-fewest passing touchdowns, and the seventh-lowest adjusted completion rate. Love can succeed against a tough matchup, but I wouldn’t expect more than solid QB2 numbers this week.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Matthew Golden sustained a shoulder injury last week. He didn’t practice on Friday and stretched, but wasn’t seen participating with the team on Saturday. I lean that he will be out this week. Even if he is active, he’ll likely play a part-time role. Sit Golden this week, if he’s active.
Over the last two games, Christian Watson has had a 64% route share, a 10.8% target share, a 35.5% air-yard share (23.0 aDOT), 71.5 receiving yards per game, 2.98 yards per route run, and a 15.2% first-read share. He hasn’t seen a red zone target yet, but three of his eight targets have been downfield. He has operated as Green Bay’s field stretcher. That’s not a role I expect to find success against Philly this week. Since Week 5, Philly has allowed the fifth-lowest deep completion rate, the 12th-fewest deep receiving yards per game, and the third-lowest passer rating to deep passing.
With Tucker Kraft out for the rest of the season, Luke Musgrave will assume the full-time tight end role. This season, he has had only a 23% route share, a 16% target per route run rate, and 1.40 yards per route run. Musgrave will have some streamable weeks, but this isn’t one of them. The Eagles have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards per game and schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB
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*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*
