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 TE Zach Ertz.
Is Zach Ertz Playing in Week 10?
Ertz 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 Zach Ertz in Week 10?
Zach Ertz’s three-game streak of scoring in double figures (PPR) came to an end on Sunday after a disappointing one-target effort against the Giants. But that’s the nature of the beast when dancing with this Commanders passing game.
Washington finished Week 9 with twice as many rush attempts as pass attempts even with starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. sidelined. This team is a poor man’s version of Baltimore, and in spots where we expect them to control the tempo, it’s going to be hard for pass catchers not named Terry McLaurin.
Sportsbooks are essentially labeling this game a coin flip, and I think that works in the favor of those looking to stream the tight end position. For the season, 70.8% of yards gained against the Steelers have come through the air (fourth-highest), another feather in the cap of Ertz and a reason I have him as a top-15 option at the position this week.
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.
Zach Ertz’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 10
As of Sunday, Ertz is projected to score 9 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 4 receptions for 36.6 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.
Zach Ertz’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 6:00 AM ET on Thursday, January 2. If you're in a Superflex league, make sure you check out our Weekly Consensus Superflex Rankings.
Week 18 TE PPR Rankings
1) Brock Bowers | LV (vs. LAC)
2) Sam LaPorta | DET (vs. MIN)
3) Trey McBride | ARI (vs. SF)
4) T.J. Hockenson | MIN (at DET)
5) Jonnu Smith | MIA (at NYJ)
6) Mark Andrews | BAL (vs. CLE)
7) Tucker Kraft | GB (vs. CHI)
8) George Kittle | SF (at ARI)
9) Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN (vs. HOU)
10) Pat Freiermuth | PIT (vs. CIN)
11) Zach Ertz | WAS (at DAL)
12) Hunter Henry | NE (vs. BUF)
13) Kyle Pitts | ATL (vs. CAR)
14) Isaiah Likely | BAL (vs. CLE)
15) Jake Ferguson | DAL (vs. WAS)
16) Mike Gesicki | CIN (at PIT)
17) Juwan Johnson | NO (at TB)
18) Noah Gray | KC (at DEN)
19) Brenton Strange | JAX (at IND)
20) Dalton Schultz | HOU (at TEN)
21) Dalton Kincaid | BUF (at NE)
22) Cole Kmet | CHI (at GB)
23) Tyler Conklin | NYJ (vs. MIA)
24) Austin Hooper | NE (vs. BUF)
25) Noah Fant | SEA (at LAR)
26) Grant Calcaterra | PHI (vs. NYG)
27) Travis Kelce | KC (at DEN)
28) Foster Moreau | NO (at TB)
29) Jordan Akins | CLE (at BAL)
30) Daniel Bellinger | NYG (at PHI)
31) Stone Smartt | LAC (at LV)
32) Ja'Tavion Sanders | CAR (at ATL)
33) Payne Durham | TB (vs. NO)
34) Dawson Knox | BUF (at NE)
35) Michael Mayer | LV (vs. LAC)
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.