15 games in the books in Week 17. One to go. Many of you in the finals (or semis if you play Week 18) got some closure. Others need something to happen tonight.
First, a quick word on yesterday's games, starting with Antonio Brown. I mean, really. We've seen a lot of things happen in the NFL. But a top receiver on a Super Bowl contender deserting his team mid-game one week before the end of the regular season . . . that's a new one. I have very strong personal feelings about Antonio Brown, was not happy when the Bucs signed him, and was not happy when Bruce Arians welcomed him back with open arms.
And there's clearly something not right with him. One video angle showed Mike Evans--one of my favorite NFL players--seemingly pleading with him to not do what he was about to do. But AB does what he wants to do. Whether CTE is the cause, one of several causes, or an offshoot of a larger character deficiency, Brown's objectively exceptional NFL career appears to be over. And the Bucs will regroup down two of their four future-Hall-of-Fame receivers, and with a defense that made Ty Johnson look like Austin Ekeler.
Elsewhere, an ACL tear has ended Michael Gallup's season. Cedrick Wilson probably will be the next man up. Michael Carter suffered a concussion; there's no reason for the Jets to play him next week. And keep an eye on Ronald Jones's ankle injury; not susprisingly, Ke'Shawn Vaughn has looked just as good if not better, and Tampa Bay might decide Vaughn (backed up by Le'Veon Bell) is the sensible approach for Week 18.
---
For tonight, in what could be Ben Roethlisberger's final home game, I'm taking the Steelers (-1) over the Browns. Was 9-6 yesterday on picking the spreads and feel pretty good about Pittsburgh burying one of their biggest rivals. The Steelers need to win these final two games--and for the Jags to beat the Colts next week--to qualify for the playoffs. Obviously that last part probably won't happen. But the Steelers have never had a losing season in Ben's career, dating back to 2004. No other NFL player has had 17+ non-losing seasons while never finishing under .500. So history is on the line, and I think Pittsburgh will rise to the occasion.
I'm eyeing about 9-13 points from Najee Harris, 10-14 from Diontae Johnson, and probably 7-10 apiece from Chase Claypool and Pat Freiermuth. Of course, TDs are very hard to predict. Johnson is my favorite option because he's Ben's favorite option.
For Cleveland, who knows what role Kareem Hunt will play. But Nick Chubb remains a near lock for 14+ touches. Rashard Higgins and Anthony Schwartz are solid (i.e. cheap) DFS plays. Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones are WR3/4 dart throws. And Austin Hooper and David Njoku are as fringe as ever. The beat-up Baker Mayfield can't feed more than one or two of these guys each week.
Final score prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 14. Share your prediction below; the winner will get a shout-out as always.
---
- PFN fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
- Free fantasy advice newsletter -- www.getrevue.co/profile/pfnfantasy
First, a quick word on yesterday's games, starting with Antonio Brown. I mean, really. We've seen a lot of things happen in the NFL. But a top receiver on a Super Bowl contender deserting his team mid-game one week before the end of the regular season . . . that's a new one. I have very strong personal feelings about Antonio Brown, was not happy when the Bucs signed him, and was not happy when Bruce Arians welcomed him back with open arms.
And there's clearly something not right with him. One video angle showed Mike Evans--one of my favorite NFL players--seemingly pleading with him to not do what he was about to do. But AB does what he wants to do. Whether CTE is the cause, one of several causes, or an offshoot of a larger character deficiency, Brown's objectively exceptional NFL career appears to be over. And the Bucs will regroup down two of their four future-Hall-of-Fame receivers, and with a defense that made Ty Johnson look like Austin Ekeler.
Elsewhere, an ACL tear has ended Michael Gallup's season. Cedrick Wilson probably will be the next man up. Michael Carter suffered a concussion; there's no reason for the Jets to play him next week. And keep an eye on Ronald Jones's ankle injury; not susprisingly, Ke'Shawn Vaughn has looked just as good if not better, and Tampa Bay might decide Vaughn (backed up by Le'Veon Bell) is the sensible approach for Week 18.
---
For tonight, in what could be Ben Roethlisberger's final home game, I'm taking the Steelers (-1) over the Browns. Was 9-6 yesterday on picking the spreads and feel pretty good about Pittsburgh burying one of their biggest rivals. The Steelers need to win these final two games--and for the Jags to beat the Colts next week--to qualify for the playoffs. Obviously that last part probably won't happen. But the Steelers have never had a losing season in Ben's career, dating back to 2004. No other NFL player has had 17+ non-losing seasons while never finishing under .500. So history is on the line, and I think Pittsburgh will rise to the occasion.
I'm eyeing about 9-13 points from Najee Harris, 10-14 from Diontae Johnson, and probably 7-10 apiece from Chase Claypool and Pat Freiermuth. Of course, TDs are very hard to predict. Johnson is my favorite option because he's Ben's favorite option.
For Cleveland, who knows what role Kareem Hunt will play. But Nick Chubb remains a near lock for 14+ touches. Rashard Higgins and Anthony Schwartz are solid (i.e. cheap) DFS plays. Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones are WR3/4 dart throws. And Austin Hooper and David Njoku are as fringe as ever. The beat-up Baker Mayfield can't feed more than one or two of these guys each week.
Final score prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 14. Share your prediction below; the winner will get a shout-out as always.
---
- PFN fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
- Free fantasy advice newsletter -- www.getrevue.co/profile/pfnfantasy