Steelers vs. Rams: Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Zach Evans

1 year ago by RotoBaller

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6. More Fantasy Football Analysis

Welcome to our Steelers vs. Rams fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em matchups analysis article for Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season.

Read our matchups analysis, player breakdowns, and lineup recommendations for the matchup and set those winning lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!

Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams

Spread: Rams -3.0
Implied Total: Steelers (20.25) vs. Rams (23.25)
Pace: Steelers (8th) vs. Rams (27th)
Steelers Off. DVOA: -5.2% Pass (25th), -29.9% Rush (31st)
Rams Off. DVOA: 23.4% Pass (9th), 9.1% Rush (5th)
Steelers Def. DVOA: -6.2% Pass (9th), -9.3% Rush (19th)
Rams Def. DVOA: 9.5% Pass (19th), -8.5% Rush (20th)

Matchups We Love

Rams WRs

Cooper Kupp stole the show with a vintage performance against the Cardinals. He dominated their defense with 147 yards and a score. He also edged Puka Nacua in targets with two more. Despite similar usage, Nacua could not deliver. He did drop a ball in the end zone, which would have helped his case. The Rams will be without their top two running backs this week, so there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about him in a good matchup as a top-24 receiver. It also means Tutu Atwell, who will be volatile, is worth a look as a flex option.

LAUNCHED TO KUPP 🚀@CooperKupp | 📺 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/Fa8Cp0KvKK
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 15, 2023

Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR)

Arizona held its own until halftime. They then watched their defense get shredded by Kyren Williams. It allowed Stafford to sit back and cruise to a comfortable win. As we alluded to, both Williams and Ronnie Rivers are facing a multi-week absence, so more will fall on the shoulders of Stafford who's still a streaming candidate.

Matchups We Hate

None

Other Matchups

Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR)

With three receivers ahead of him, it's hard to trust Higbee as more than a touchdown-or-bust streamer, but there's still a path to success, especially if the passing volume sees an uptick.

Rams RBs

Zach Evans is a controversial rookie prospect who may or may not get the privilege of being their lead back this week. He was the last man standing until they activated Royce Freeman from the practice squad and signed Darrell Henderson and Myles Gaskin. Gaskin is of no concern, but Freeman has some familiarity with the system, and obviously, they know Henderson well. They were willing to move on from him, but that doesn't mean they won't use him in a pinch. The matchup is good enough to start someone, but knowing who is tricky. Evans has the most upside as an unknown prospect, so that's probably the best place to call your shot.

UPDATE: Henderson will be active as expected. He's got a shot to be the lead back given his familiarity with the system. He and Evans are both flex options.

Rams’ HC Sean McVay on the backs involved in Sunday’s RB rotation vs. the Steelers: pic.twitter.com/ee9wNa8boa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2023

Steelers RBs

We often see a change in role for younger players coming out of a bye. Jaylen Warren is in his second season and has done everything you could ask for. The Steelers are historically known for riding one back, but we've seen a full-blown timeshare between Warren and Najee Harris so far. It would be great to see Warren earn more snaps and touches, but that may be more of a pipedream. Regardless, the matchup and game script make Warren the better start as a flex option.

Reinforcements are coming for Pittsburgh, including Diontae Johnson. George Pickens did his best to operate as the leader in the offense while Johnson was out, but he's better suited as the deep threat No. 2 option while Johnson soaks up targets underneath. They'll still be without Pat Freiermuth, who re-aggravated his hamstring in practice on Thursday, consolidating the volume to these two. Los Angeles hasn't been as poor in recent weeks, but neither of their starting cornerbacks rank inside the top 24 in coverage, according to PFF. They're also 25th in defensive EPA per dropback. Johnson resumes his spot in the top 24 with Pickens in the top 36.

Notable Injuries

Kyren Williams (ankle)
Ronnie Rivers (knee)
Pat Freiermuth (hamstring)

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Steelers vs. Rams: Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Zach Evans

Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams

Matchups We Love

Matchups We Hate

Other Matchups

Notable Injuries

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