If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 and get back on the winning track, they’re going to need better showings from wide receiver George Pickens and running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Pickens failed to find the end zone once again in Week 12, finishing with just four catches for 48 yards. Harris tallied his second-lowest rushing yardage output of his season with just 41 yards on 16 carries. He also posted two catches for 13 yards.
Warren actually had the best fantasy showing of the three, tallying 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries while adding three receptions for 19 yards.
With a matchup against the Bengals on deck in Week 13, should any of these three be in your fantasy football lineups this week? Let’s find out.
Fantasy football start or sit Week 13: George Pickens
Pickens is coming off one of his lowest yardage outputs of the season in Week 12 and hasn’t found the end zone in the last two weeks. But there’s reason to believe he’s going to post a much better showing in Week 13.
The Bengals are tied for the 11th-most fantasy points per contest given up to wide receivers and their pass defense ranks bottom 10. Furthermore, with the way the Bengals’ offense has played in recent weeks, the game script could be positive for Pickens if Pittsburgh finds itself having to keep up with Cincy’s scoring.
Consider Pickens a solid WR2 option this week.
Verdict: Start Pickens
Fantasy football start or sit Week 13: Najee Harris
The Bengals have been fairly stingy against running backs in terms of fantasy points allowed per game, with Cincinnati ceding the 12th-fewest. However, the Bengals are also surrendering 129.8 rushing yards per game, the 13th-most in the NFL, and they are giving up the fifth-most rushing touchdowns per contest to the position.
Harris’ typical volume makes him a starting consideration by itself, and a middle-of-the-road matchup against the Bengals’ defense certainly helps, also. He’s a high-end flex option, at worst, on Sunday.
Verdict: Start Harris
Fantasy football start or sit Week 13: Jaylen Warren
Warren has been much more involved in the offense over the last five games compared to what he was seeing earlier in the season, with the Steelers back averaging 13.6 touches per game in that span.
The Bengals are ceding the fifth-most touchdowns to backs this season and sport a middle-of-the-road run defense, so that’s good news for anyone considering starting him.
Even still, it’s hard to suggest Warren, who is still behind Harris in the pecking order, as a starting option when he is wholly dependent on a big play and/or touchdown.
If you have a more consistent producer at wide receiver or a back guaranteed to get a heavier workload, start them instead of Warren in your flex spot.
Verdict: Sit Warren
