The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking the best they have in years and fans are daring to dream that this could be their season. Pittsburgh tops the AFC North with a 10-3 record and with an elite defense and a much-improved offense, they are certainly in the conversation for the Super Bowl.
The Steelers have a very tough road ahead and face another contender in Week 15, the Philadelphia Eagles. While Sunday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field means the Steelers don’t have to travel far, the Eagles are as tough an opponent as there is, topping the NFC East with an 11-2 record via a nine-game winning streak.
This has the potential to be a tense defensive battle, but given the weapons on both teams, a shootout is equally plausible. This makes Pittsburgh players very intriguing options in fantasy football, which is now at a critical phase. With that in mind, let’s look at the Steelers’ weapons in Week 15:
Steelers’ Week 15 Fantasy Outlooks & Predictions
QB: Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has fitted into the Steelers better than most would have imagined and has thrown for 1,784 yards, 12 TDs and 3 INTs across 7 games in 2024. He’s also added another TD on the ground, is averaging 17.5 fantasy points per outing and is the QB29 on the season, even after missing 6 games (as per Fantasy Pros).
Wilson is a good start against anyone at the moment, given the Steelers are now so effective both running and passing the ball. The Eagles are allowing an average of 14.48 fantasy points per game to QBs this season, and Wilson feels like he should break that 15-point barrier.
Russell Wilson’s points range: 6-26; Prediction: 16.5
RBs: Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
While the main beneficiary of Russell Wilson’s signing for Pittsburgh has been Goerge Pickens, the running game has certainly enjoyed more space to play with. Given the dangers of the deep ball and Pickens, defenses have to be more honest and are not packing the box as everyone has in previous seasons.
This has been great for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who both now have very solid floors. Harris has broken 10 points in seven of eight games since Week 5 (HPPR), while Warren has broken 8 points in every game since Week 10.
The duo form a formidable running game, with Warren getting touches in the passing game to make him a solid RB2 option for teams in a crisis. Harris is a must-start now in almost every game, given he has scored TDs in both his last two matches.
The Eagles are allowing 18.14 fantasy points to RBs per game (HPPR), which ranks fifth in the NFL. This could be a tough one for both these RBs, so while Harris is a good start, Warren is perhaps best faded to your bench.
Najee Harris’ points range: 6-22; Prediction: 13
Jaylen Warren’s points range: 2-14; Prediction: 6.5
Other fantasy outlooks and predictions you might like: Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings
WRs: George Pickens, Calvin Austin & Mike Williams
George Pickens missed Week 14’s matchup against the Browns due to a hamstring injury and Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that he is doubtful for the Eagles game too. If he is cleared to play, Pickens is a must-start as the clear WR1 after putting up 55 receptions, 850 yards and 3 TDs in 2024.
If he can’t suit up, Mike Williams is the obvious replacement, given his 6-foot-4 frame and play-making abilities. Williams should only start if Pickens can’t go, so is a good pickup for managers who own Pickens and will be in a pinch without him.
While Williams didn’t have the best game in Pickens’ absence, recording 3 catches for 36 yards, the Steelers will need to utilize his skillset if they are to compete with a potentially high-scoring Eagles offense.
Meanwhile, Calvin Austin was trending upwards in recent weeks, but had a dud game against Cleveland, going for 0.90 points. While he had been finding his way into the endzone, with 2 TDs in the two games prior, Austin does not get the volume to make him a safe start in fantasy football.
George Pickens’ points range: 8-25; Prediction: 16 (HPPR)
Calvin Austin’s points range: 2-18; Prediction: 4
Mike William’s points range (with Pickens out): 4-21; Prediction: 13
TE: Pat Freiermuth
Pat Freiermuth has seen an increase in form and scored his second TD in two games against the Browns in Week 14. Freiermuth recorded 3 receptions for 48 yards and a TD, good for 12.3 points in HPPR leagues, which followed 6 catches for 68 yards and a TD against the Bengals the week before.
He’s a great target for Russell Wilson and therefore a solid start in fantasy football, but without a TD his floor can be low.
Pat Freiermuth’s points range: 2-15; Prediction: 8
Also read: Week 15 Defense Rankings & Streamers ft. Cardinals, Falcons & Commanders