The Washington Commanders will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding WR Noah Brown.
Is Noah Brown Playing in Week 10?
Brown is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Commanders’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Noah Brown in Week 10?
Noah Brown’s name is on the radar for some because of the Hail Mary catch, but you’re chasing a ghost if you’re trying to nail down who is the WR2 in this offense.
The WR2 role is an interesting one and will serve as a research project during the offseason (what allows Darnell Mooney to thrive in Atlanta but not offenses like Washington and Dallas?), but in the short term, it’s clear that we can’t count on any receiver not named Terry McLaurin for the Commanders.
Remove that tip-drill Hail Mary and Brown is averaging 6.8 PPR points per game. Not only is that an unappealing number, but even if that number is enough to catch your interest due to the trajectory of this offense, there are three players in that range that I much prefer this week and moving forward (Jalen Coker, Dontayvion Wicks, and Andrei Iosivas).
Brown was on the field for just 50% of Washington’s snaps last week in New York (his lowest since Week 2), and that regresses the projectable range of outcomes to such a level that he need not be rostered in standard-sized leagues.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 10 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Noah Brown’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 10
As of Sunday, Brown is projected to score 11 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 4 receptions for 58.2 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
PFN Insight on the Steelers’ Defense
There is an intriguing correlation between the Pittsburgh Steelers defense’s performances and their victories this year. In every game that they have ranked in the top half of the league that week, they have won. Whenever they have posted a grade below a C- on defense, they have lost. That also coincides with the points they have allowed, as both games in which they’ve allowed 20+ points have resulted in losses.
The Steelers’ offense has played its part in several games, but the defense has been very good in several games. Their concern as their schedule gets harder will be not being able to get consistent pressure without blitzing, as they rank 17th in pressure rate. That has shown up some in their stats against the pass, their ability to get sacks, and their ability to prevent third-down conversions.
The Steelers’ defense has started well, but they have a tough schedule coming up against some good offenses. We have yet to see them fully tested this year, and that will be an interesting element in the second half of the season.
Do you want more insight on all other defensive units across the NFL? Head over to our PFN Defense+ Rankings for analysis on all 32 teams.
Noah Brown’s Week 9 Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship WR PPR Rankings
1) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at PHI)
3) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
4) Khalil Shakir | BUF (at KC)
5) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Hollywood Brown | KC (vs. BUF)
7) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. BUF)
8) Keon Coleman | BUF (at KC)
9) Dyami Brown | WAS (at PHI)
10) Mack Hollins | BUF (at KC)
11) Amari Cooper | BUF (at KC)
12) Curtis Samuel | BUF (at KC)
13) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at PHI)
14) JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC (vs. BUF)
15) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. WAS)
16) Jamison Crowder | WAS (at PHI)
17) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at PHI)
18) Justin Watson | KC (vs. BUF)
19) Johnny Wilson | PHI (vs. WAS)
20) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. WAS)
21) Nikko Remigio | KC (vs. BUF)
22) Ainias Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Commanders Insights
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team: After this game, Pittsburgh has four straight games against divisional opponents, including both Cleveland games.
QB: Russell Wilson has thrown for 542 yards and three touchdowns in his two starts this season – no player had that stat line through two weeks this season.
Offense: The Steelers averaged 2.55 points per drive in Weeks 7-8 under Russell Wilson, the seventh-best rate in the NFL over that stretch and a 29.4% improvement over Pittsburgh’s rate through the first six weeks.
Defense: Pittsburgh went into their bye with the utmost confidence in their defense – after creating pressure on just 18.5% of opponent dropbacks in Weeks 6-7, they sped up the Giants 53.5% of the time in Week 8.
Fantasy: Joe Mixon, Bijan Robinson, and Najee Harris were the only running backs to post top-17 numbers at the position in Weeks 6-7-8.
Betting: Under tickets have come through in eight of Pittsburgh’s past 10 road games, and they’ve covered 12 of their past 16 away from home.
Washington Commanders
Team: The Commanders are seeking to start 5-0 at home for the first time since 1991. That was the season of their last Super Bowl title.
QB: Behind Jayden Daniels, this offense is turning the ball over a league-low 0.33 times per game. That’s the lowest average through nine weeks this millennium (second place: 2020 Packers, 0.38).
Offense: The Commanders reach the red zone on 48.8% of their drives, the only offense in the league with a rate of even 43%.
Defense: The Commanders own the sixth-highest sack rate in the NFL (9.1%).
Fantasy: There are two receivers to score 15-plus PPR points in four straight games this season, both of which are active streaks. The names? Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin.
Betting: The Commanders are 4-0 ATS at home this season, covering the spread by an average of 11 points per game.
