FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

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Prediction: PIT 17, CLE 3

The Steelers have clinched being in the playoffs but need the Ravens to lose to the Bengals in order to win the division. Possible but unlikely. That means the Steelers are otherwise playing for nothing because they would already have wrapped up the #5 seed. But both games go off in the afternoon so there would be no way for the Steelers to know about the Ravens until it is actually happening. This is a replay of week 14 when the Steelers won 14-3 at home. The Browns are on a five game losing streak.

QUARTERBACK: With Ben Roethlisberger aiming at just two quarters worth of work, there is no fantasy value here this week. The Browns have a good secondary but Big Ben still burned them for 280 yards and two scores in the last meeting, one of the worst showings for the Browns all year. Charlie Batch won't do enough to consider as well.

RUNNING BACKS: Rashard Mendenhall was a disappointment in the last meeting with the Browns when he only gained 76 yards on 18 carries and did not score against one of the weakest rushing defenses in the league. He should be a lock for decent yardage and has the chance for a big game with a score but that hasn't always happened in the past. Thrown in Isaac Redman or even John Clay into the mix and expecting a touchdown from Mendenhall is even tougher to do.

I'll credit him with a score but the yardage is more reliable.

WIDE RECEIVERS: In the last meeting, the Browns were successful using CB Joe Haden to limit Mike Wallace to only 57 yards on four catches but Antonio Brown had a career best 151 yards on five receptions with one touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders has been out with a foot injury but is expected to return this week.

The Browns have only allowed three touchdowns to visiting wideouts this year though in fairness, most opponents clobber them with the run instead. Brown should have another decent showing but with a rusty Roethlisberger and then changing to Batch, this is a bit more murky than usual. Wallace has been a must start all year but here should be again limited to moderate yardage.

TIGHT ENDS: No fantasy value.

Pregame Notes: The end of yet another bad year and one where no progress was made despite the new coaching staff. Apparently Peyton Hills' appearance on Madden affected the entire team. The rookie Greg Little showed some promise but a lack of a decent quarterback will always hold him back. This is an offense that scored over 20 points only twice all year.

RUNNING BACKS: Going into the final week it should be all Peyton Hillis as the runner but that only turned into 25 yards on ten carries in the first meeting. Hillis has been running better in the last couple of weeks but the Steelers have always had their number. Hillis is a low-end flex play at best this week and is better left on the bench against the Steelers defense.

WIDE RECEIVERS: No reason to consider any receiver here. This has been consistently one of the least productive units in the league and aside from the emerging Greg Little has marginal hope about next year. In week 14, no wideout caught more than three passes or gained over 44 yards. That leaves the unit well below any fantasy consideration.

TIGHT ENDS: Evan Moore was the leading receiver against the Steelers before when he had four catches for 55 yards and with Ben Watson out, Moore will get even more work. He's still a poor bet to score but should post decent yardage if not lead the team yet again.

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