The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens on Wild Card Weekend. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding RB Najee Harris.
Is Najee Harris Playing vs. the Ravens?
Harris is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
Should You Start or Sit Najee Harris on Wild Card Weekend?
Nothing about the direction of Pittsburgh’s offense generates optimism; the deeper you dive, the worse it gets.
I addressed my concerns with the passing game earlier, but it’s possible that I’m more worried about Najee Harris and the state of this run game. He’s struggled in two career playoff games (53% production below expectations), and I don’t see that changing against the best run defense in terms of yards gained by running backs after contact per carry this season.
Harris struggled in the two games against Baltimore this season (he achieved under 80% of his expectations in both games), and that was without the Ravens being overly aggressive. Consider this:
- Harris against the Ravens: 77.8% gain rate and 40.7% loaded box percentage
- Harris in all other games: 81.4% gain rate and 48.3% loaded box percentage
That’s a pretty damning trend, and with Harris’ tank running on E, I’m in full-fade mode
- Weeks 6-14: 4.2% production over expectation and 4.0 red-zone touches per game
- Weeks 15-18: 16.8% production below expectations and 2.0 red-zone touches per game
The Ravens are heavily favored for a reason, which has me ranking Jaylen Warren as the Pittsburgh back to have rostered if you’re going to this backfield.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Wild Card Weekend Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Najee Harris’ Fantasy Points Projection on Wild Card Weekend
As of Saturday, Harris is projected to score 9.6 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 11.4 rushing attempts for 46 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. It also includes 1.8 receptions for 12.1 yards and 0.1 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Najee Harris’ 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 RB PPR Rankings
1) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) James Cook | BUF (at KC)
3) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
4) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. BUF)
5) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at PHI)
7) Ray Davis | BUF (at KC)
8) Ty Johnson | BUF (at KC)
9) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. BUF)
10) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. WAS)
11) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at PHI)
12) Will Shipley | PHI (vs. WAS)
13) Carson Steele | KC (vs. BUF)
14) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (at KC)
15) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
