Fantasy News

Vance McDonald caught four passes for 28 yards in Sunday night’s loss to the Chargers.

McDonald saw seven targets and again worked ahead of Jesse James, but Antonio Brown basically hogged all the downfield looks. The monster tight end will get a chance to bounce back next week against the Raiders, who were just shredded by Travis Kelce.

12/3/18 - 01:41 PM ET

JuJu Smith-Schuster held in check as Pittsburgh falls to 7-4-1.

Smith-Schuster caught six-of-nine targets for 49 yards in a 33-30 loss to the Chargers, doing most of his damage on short passes. It was a disappointment after an explosion last week, but JuJu will hopefully be more involved on downfield throws next week against an Oakland defense that has busted their fair share of coverages this season. Consider Smith-Schuster a low-end WR1 for Week 14.

12/3/18 - 01:40 PM ET

Antonio Brown puts up 10/154/1 line in losing effort.

Brown had a monster first half as the focal-point of the offense, and the highlight was a 28-yard strike to close out the second quarter. However, the Chargers dominated after the break, and AB struggled to make much of an impact in an eventual 33-30 loss. Brown was able to eclipse 1,000 yards for the sixth season in a row, though, and his 12 touchdowns so far is already one away from tying a career-high. Next week against Oakland could be a blowup spot for the entire Steelers offense, and Brown will likely be the top play at the position for Week 14.

12/3/18 - 01:37 PM ET

Jaylen Samuels handles five touches in Week 13 loss.

Samuels, who operated as the lead back after James Conner (leg) went down, rushed twice for five yards and caught three passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. The rookie is worth picking up in all leagues with Conner likely questionable for Week 14, but the injury doesn’t seem to be serious, and there’s a chance Pittsburgh’s starter doesn’t miss any time. If Samuels draws a start against the Raiders next weekend, he will likely be a strong RB1/RB2 option.

12/3/18 - 01:33 PM ET

Justin Hunter (shoulder) did not return against the Chargers.

Hunter had a heck of an effort on a diving attempt for a deep ball to the end zone he really didn’t have much of a chance to come down with, and unfortunately he wasn’t able to return with the shoulder injury. Hopefully Hunter is OK moving forward, but we’ll track his status throughout the week.

12/3/18 - 01:32 PM ET

Darrius Heyward-Bey did not catch a pass in Week 13.

Heyward-Bey was targeted on a deep ball to the end zone, but he didn’t have much of a chance to come up with it. DHB is mostly a great special-teams contributor for Pittsburgh, so he’s not a fantasy option right now. He faces the Raiders team that drafted him No. 7 overall in 2009, though.

12/3/18 - 01:31 PM ET

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers contained in the second half of 33-30 loss to the Chargers.

Roethlisberger was 29/45 for 281 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The first score was a 28-yard strike to Antonio Brown at the end of the first half, but a 23-7 lead at the break was overcome with big second half by Los Angeles, and they ended up winning on a last-second field goal. It’s fair to wonder if all the throwing for Pittsburgh is reason for their recent struggles, but Big Ben likely isn’t going to dial things back, as it seems like his show for better or worse. Next week in Oakland should be an excellent rebound spot for Roethlisberger, so keep him in lineups as a solid QB1 for the start of the fantasy playoffs.

12/3/18 - 01:30 PM ET