2012 Fantasy Football, Week 10 Monday Night Football Preview: Steelers vs. Chiefs
There are several question marks for both the Steelers and Chiefs heading into the two teams’ game on Monday Night Football. Will Antonio Brown suit up? Who will carry the rock for the Steelers? Is Jamaal Charles startable? Will Matt Cassel throw more interceptions than completions?
About the only things we do know about Monday’s matchup are: Start Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe and Heath Miller. Big Ben is easily a top 10 quarterback this week and if he’s your backup for Aaron Rodgers or Robert Griffin III then you’re in good hands this week. The Chiefs are the seventh friendliest defense to opposing quarterbacks and have allowed 17 passing touchdowns. Even if the Steelers get up early Monday Roethlisberger surely will throw for a couple touchdowns and 200 yards. I’d start Ben over Matt Stafford, Matt Schaub, Carson Palmer and Cam Newton, just to name a few.
The Chiefs are tied for the fourth most touchdowns allowed to wide receivers, with 11. With Brown doubtful due to the ankle injury he suffered last week, Wallace is a top 10 option this week as well. With Kansas City having trailed throughout all of regulation this season, Dwayne Bowe has earned the title of King of Garbage Time. The Steelers have been a top five unit against wide receivers in fantasy, but Bowe should see plenty of targets this week. In PPR leagues he’s a WR3, and in standard leagues he’s a low-end WR3 or strong flex play.
Miller’s tied for second with Owen Daniels in tight end fantasy scoring. The Chiefs are a neutral matchup for opposing tight ends, but Miller’s been consistent (at least 40 yards in seven of eight games) and has scored in five games. He might not get the catches or yards other tight ends do, but outside of Rob Gronkowski he’s as good a bet for a score from a tight end as anyone.
Both teams have shaky running back situations that can impact your roster. Charles hasn’t done much of anything since Week 5, but as soon as I recommend you bench him we know he’ll explode for a 150-yard game. He’s no longer an RB1 this year, but unless you can only start two backs and hit on a Stevan Ridley or Doug Martin to pair with your first-round RB, you should start Charles this week as an RB2 or flex. After a strong Week 9, Isaac Redman will again get the start for the Steelers, even though Jonathan Dwyer will be active. Redman, just like Charles, is an RB2 or flex play this week. If you’re debating between the two, my gut says go with Redman, who should have more of a shot at a touchdown as well as plenty of carries. Dwyer should remain on your bench.
Emmanuel Sanders had been producing for the Steelers as their third wide receiver, but now that Brown will probably be out, he should move up to the No. 2, ahead of Jerricho Cotchery still. I wouldn’t start Sanders ahead of Bowe, but in a good matchup he is worthy of a start as a WR3 or flex play. Cotchery should remain on your bench, as he’ll be no more than a fourth receiving option for Pittsburgh.
Written by Andrew Miller exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com.
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