One of the best games of the week, maybe even the season, will take place Sunday at Nissan Stadium when the Tennessee Titans host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 action. Both teams sit at 5-0 as two of the last three unbeaten squads left in the NFL, the other being the Seattle Seahawks.
The Steelers proved they are the class of the AFC North when they buried the upstart Cleveland Browns 38-7 last Sunday. After missing most of the 2019 season with an elbow injury, Ben Roethlisberger has turned in a strong 2020 campaign, currently ranking sixth in the NFL in passer rating. The Steeler defense has been even better, ranking second in the league in points and yards allowed.
A COVID-19 outbreak didn’t slow down the Titans, who have won two straight since seeing a game postponed due to several coronavirus cases within the organization. They snuck by the Houston Texans 42-36 in overtime on Sunday, with Derrick Henry (who else?) plunging in for the game-winning touchdown.
Here’s how to watch Sunday’s game, odds for the matchup, key injuries, and notable fantasy football start/sit considerations.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Steelers: #3 Overall — #9 offense, #2 defense, #7 special teams
Titans: #8 Overall — #3 offense, #22 defense, #26 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Steelers: -2, -124
Titans: +2, +108
Total: 51.5
Injury report
Steelers
Coming Saturday
Titans
Coming Saturday
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Steelers
James Conner, RB, $6,700
Conner has been a machine lately, eclipsing the century mark in rushing yards in three of his last four games. He’s also found the end zone in all four contests. The Titans are allowing 5.1 yards per carry this season, the second-worst mark in the NFL, so Conner should have another strong week.
Chase Claypool, WR, $5,700
The rookie not only leads the Steelers in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, he’s also become a running threat, taking end-arounds for touchdowns in each of the past two weeks. With that kind of versatility, Claypool is a must-start so long as he’s healthy.
Titans
Jonnu Smith, TE, $4,700
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill spreads the ball around so much that it’s hard to know which of their pass-catchers to start. At least with Smith you know he will be a redzone threat even if he’s not racking up yards. He has five touchdowns this season, two more than the next Titan. Then again, tight ends only have one touchdown against the Steelers all year, so this isn’t exactly a favorable matchup. Plus, you need to keep an eye on his health. He suffered an ankle injury on Sunday. If he can’t play against the Steelers, his backup Anthony Firkser is an interesting option. He had 113 yards and a TD against the Texans.
Derrick Henry, RB, $7,500
Normally starting Henry is a no-brainer, but the Steelers have been incredibly stout against the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry. Running backs are averaging just 16.5 fantasy points per game, the lowest mark in the NFL. We’re not saying Henry isn’t a good option this week—because he always is—but that’s just something to think about before you pencil him into your lineup.