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Ravens vs Steelers: Fantasy Football Preview

By Steve Rudden

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) celebrates after making a first down during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) celebrates after making a first down during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ravens vs Steelers rivalry is renewed this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.  Today I’ll give you a list of players on each team to start and sit in Fantasy Football.

This rivalry used to be all about the defense.  Now, both teams don’t have the best defensive units this season.  If Ben Roethlisberger plays, the Steelers offense should be able to put up a lot of points.

Related Story: Fantasy Football: 5 Players Ready For A Big Week 9

Both teams are coming off the bye week which they both needed to get their injured players back.  The Steelers defense might have the edge by getting key players back.  While Joe Flacco should benefit from having his two starting offensive linemen back this week.

Week 9 Pittsburgh Steelers to sit vs the Ravens:

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) slides to avoid the tackle of Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) and free safety Jalen Mills (31) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) slides to avoid the tackle of Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) and free safety Jalen Mills (31) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m hesitant to put Ben Roethlisberger on this list because knowing him, he will play on Sunday.  It’s a big game and the Steelers have struggled without him since he’s been out. He could have a Big Ben kind of day, but it could be a real struggle rushed back from injury.

Darrius Hayward-Bey:  His 5 receptions and 68 yards receiving has been a huge disappointment for the Steelers.  With the suspension of Martavis Bryant, Hayward-Bey should’ve been able to take the reins, but he hasn’t.

Week 9 Pittsburgh Steelers to start vs the Ravens

Le’Veon Bell:  Bell was my lock to start this week because the Ravens have issues with running backs that can catch the ball out of the backfield.  He’s always been dangerous and elusive as a runner.

Antonio Brown: It amazes me to see how great of a player Brown is.  He always has a big game against the Ravens and I don’t see that stopping this week, unless Big Ben doesn’t play.  The chemistry between Brown and Landry Jones isn’t as good as it is with Ben Rothlisberger.

Week 9 Baltimore Ravens to sit vs the Steelers

Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) on the sideline during the game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) on the sideline during the game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

Ravens Defense: No matter if Ben Roethlisberger is starting or not, expect Bell, Brown, and James to put up great numbers.  The Ravens defense lacks the pass rush which gives the other team more time to carve up the poor secondary.

Joe Flacco: Even though Joe Flacco has had a few weeks to heal his injured shoulder, it still won’t make a difference against the Steelers.  James Harrison always seems to give Flacco and the offensive line problems.  It would be best for you to sit Flacco for your other QB this week.

Week 9 Baltimore Ravens to start vs the Steelers

Mike Wallace: He’s one of the deep threats that Flacco goes to, but this year Mike Wallace has changed him game.  With Steve Smith out, Wallace has been the #1 target and he hasn’t disappointed.  For the season Wallace has 35 receptions for 490 receiving yards.

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Dennis Pitta:  Dennis Pitta has been Joe Flacco’s security blanket since being drafted.  Pitta’s career was said to be over after having another surgery on his hip, but he was determined to play again, and he’s been solid this season.  So far this season he has 38 receptions for 335 yards.  That’s pretty remarkable after some doctors advised him to stop playing football.

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