Fantasy

Hollywood, Bateman Should Produce vs. Steelers

by Brad Drotar

December 2, 2021
7:00 pm

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ravens flock, it’s finally time. This Sunday, the Ravens will be playing the Steelers! Some of the best and worst moments of Ravens history have taken place on Steelers week. The rivalry may not be as heated on the field as it used to be, but for the Ravens Flock, this rivalry is still as intense as ever.

This week is also very important for fantasy. For myself and probably most of you, this is the last week to make your playoff push. Last week was a bad fantasy week in general, where many top-level players busted and many analysts in the industry, as well as me, had a down week projections wise.

It’s a new week, and a very important week. So, let’s get down to business!

Ravens – Steelers Fantasy Outlook

Start ‘Em

Hollywood Brown

The Ravens haven’t looked like themselves the past couple of weeks and it has shown in all facets of the game. Hollywood has had two consecutive down fantasy weeks. Still, despite poor play by the offense, Hollywood has recorded double-digit targets each of the last four weeks. Hollywood’s explosive play-making ability and speed should be able to torch a Steelers defense that is lacking talent in the secondary (outside of Minkah Fitzpatrick). The matchup is also good for Ravens receivers in general, as the Steelers have allowed the 23^rd most fantasy points to WRs this season.

Dionte Johnson

You don’t need to be a Ravens fan to know that pass catchers have thrived against the Ravens this season. Dionte Johnson is a technician when it comes to route running, which is why he is one of the most heavily targeted wideouts in the league. Johnson has received double-digit targets in eight of the 10 games that he’s played in. Johnson is always one of the safest plays in fantasy, this week especially against a disappointing Ravens defense that can’t seem to stop much of anything through the air.

Streamin’ around the league

Quarterback

Taylor Heinicke

Heinicke will bounce back this week, after putting up a measly 12 points against Seattle. In this matchup against the Raiders, Heinicke and the Washington Football Team are 2.5-point underdogs and are projected to score 23.5 points. The Raiders defensive strengths and weaknesses combined with the game script should shape up a nice game for Heinicke. The Raiders are 4^th best in the league against the run while also ranking 26^th against the pass. With J.D. McKissic injured, they are left with Antonio Gibson as their only quality RB. They can’t feed Gibson every other play without exhausting their only RB. I see Washington relying a bit more heavily on Heinicke as a runner this game. Heinicke is going to shred the Raiders with his arm and legs this week.

Running Back

Boston Scott

With Miles Sanders likely out or limited this week, Fire up Boston Scott in your lineups! While the run snaps will likely be split between Scott and Kenneth Gainwell, Scott will get most if not all of the passing work for the RBs. Scott is an electric pass catching RB that can take it to the house on any given play. Against the Jets, who rank dead last in rush defense (and also give up the most fantasy points to RBs) the Jets will not be able to stop him all game long. The game script should also lean in the backs’ favor, as the Eagles will likely be ahead most of the game.

Wide Receiver

Rashod Bateman

Bateman makes it as the WR streamer this week (definitely not biased for Steelers week at all) for all the same reasons I like Hollywood this week. As you know from the Start ‘Em section, the matchup is there for the taking. Bateman is an outstanding talent and I think he will have a big game, in his first game of his young Ravens career against the Steelers.

Tight End

Foster Moreau

With Darren Waller sidelined this week, Moreau is next in line as the Raiders TE. The Raiders have praised Moreau even before the preseason started and now he finally has his chance to show off his talent. The Raiders are projected 26 points against Washington and with Waller sidelined, the team is lacking a true #1 receiver. I’m not saying that Moreau is that “true #1 receiver” but he will have opportunity to ball out, as any receiver has the chance to break out as this week’s #1 receiver on the Raiders. The Raiders rank 30^th in pass defense as well, so the matchup is there.

Fire & Ice

Fire Squad

Tom Brady

Joe Mixon

Justin Jefferson

Logan Thomas

Ice Squad

Mac Jones (Bonus bold call: Josh Allen)

Zeke

Stefon Diggs

T.J. Hockenson

Brad Drotar

Being born alongside the Ravens in 1996, Brad was drinking the purple Kool-Aid since birth. His love for the game began by watching the Ravens in the basement with his father, quizzing him on football terms and rules, and toasting his little brother in backyard football games during half time every weekend. Once in college, he began to do his own deep dive analysis into not just the Ravens, but the entire league. Utilizing his self-made spreadsheet of thousands of hand-picked stats, the self-proclaimed fantasy football extraordinaire creates his own rankings to dominate his fantasy leagues. “Daddy Brad” as the girls called him in college, proudly follows in his father’s footsteps by drinking lots of beer and screaming at the TV every weekend. He now specializes in deep dive analysis to predict player performances and the outcome of the games.