Despite being outgained and outplayed for much of the game, the Steelers somehow pulled out a big win in Week 9 over the Tennessee Titans. Even though it did not look pretty, there were still some big winners in the fantasy football world this week. (All stats courtesy of fantasypros.com.)
- Defense -
One of the players that shined on Thursday night was edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who finished the game with two sacks and five quarterback hits. Despite a strong performance, he gained 10.7 fantasy points and moved up to No. 42 among linebackers with 85.7 fantasy points. His teammate, T.J. Watt gained 15.7 fantasy points and increased his fantasy point total to 125.9. Kwon Alexander moved up two spots to No. 47 with 81.9 fantasy points after registering two tackles and the game-winning interception against the Titans. As for veteran Elandon Roberts, he is currently 52nd with 77.2 fantasy points.
The story on the defensive line was the return of All-Pro tackle Cam Heyward, who returned after being sidelined since Week 1 with a groin injury. Despite not registering any splash plays, fantasy owners should have him on their radar because he is likely to produce very quickly. Rookie Keeanu Benton continues to flash on the field, despite receiving fewer snaps. He currently stands at 137th among defensive linemen with 27.8 fantasy points.
One of the biggest risers in Week 8 was rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Against the Titans, he had the task of covering All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Once again, Porter Jr. came through, allowing only one reception for 17 yards on five targets. With another strong performance, Porter Jr. moved up 10 spots to No. 166 among defensive backs with 32.1 fantasy points. As for Levi Wallace, he earned 6.9 fantasy points after recording two passes defended and currently stands 103rd among defensive backs with 55.1 fantasy points.
-Offense -
After a Week 8 to forget, quarterback Kenny Pickett redeemed himself with another fourth-quarter game-winning drive. He finished with 160 passing yards and a touchdown, moving one spot to No. 27 among quarterbacks with 87.8 fantasy points.
His favorite target, Diontae Johnson, finally ended his two-year touchdown drought in the fourth quarter and proved once again to be Pickett's most reliable target. Johnson finished the game with a season-high 90 receiving yards on seven receptions, moving up a massive 24 spots to No. 61 among receivers with 36.2 fantasy points. Things weren't so good for fellow receiver George Pickens, who finished with two receptions for negative yards, which included a missed opportunity in the end zone. Pickens fell six spots to No. 24 among receivers with 71.7 fantasy points.
Both running backs, Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, were a force on the ground, finishing with a combined 157 rushing yards and a touchdown. In the case of Warren, he also added 25 receiving yards, earned 6.7 fantasy points, and moved up to the 30th spot in his position with 53.2 fantasy points. Harris earned 7.5 fantasy points in Week 9 and currently stands 28th among running backs with 60.3 fantasy points.
Who You Should Start In Week 10
- Offense -
WR Diontae Johnson
RB Jaylen Warren
RB Najee Harris
-Defense -
LB T.J Watt
LB Alex Highsmith
CB Joey Porter Jr.
DL Cam Heyward