Despite being 4-2, the Steelers are looking to make a change at quarterback. Per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Russell Wilson’s ($5,400) calf is fully healed and he is in line to start over Justin Fields ($5,900) this Sunday vs. the Jets.
Fields has been effective as a rusher this season, but he hasn’t been efficient as a passer, throwing for only five touchdowns in six games and averaging a modest 6.9 yards per pass — which ranks 23rd of 36 eligible quarterbacks this season.
Fields and Pickens have to yet to find a strong connection and, as a result, the wideout ranks 33rd in FPTS per game at his position.
Wilson has yet to play a snap this season, so we don’t know about his and Pickens’ chemistry together, but the change from Fields to Wilson could help Pickens. Wilson wasn’t great with his arm last year in Denver, averaging 6.9 yards per pass, but he did throw for 26 touchdowns in 15 games and he owns a strong career average of 7.7 yards per pass.
The problem is, while Wilson may bring a better arm to the table, that doesn’t mean Pickens’ opportunities are going to grow. The Steelers rank 28th in pass rate this season and Pickens is already leading the team with a 28.9% target share. Sitting at 4-2, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers won’t remain a run first offense and, while Pickens’ numbers may see a slight boost with Wilson, we can’t expect a huge change for an inconsistent receiver. This weekend vs. the Jets will also be an especially tough matchup, as they are allowing the third-fewest yards per pass (5.4) and fourth-fewest receiving yards to opposing wide receivers (625).
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, this game carries a low O/U of 38 points and the Steelers are a 1.5-point underdog.
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