Kenneth Gainwell

It's not exactly news that old-school Tomlin desires a return to old-school, run-based, low-scoring football as a way to get the Steelers out of the rut they find themselves in headed into Week 14 against the Ravens. But a real commitment to a tough nosed, presumably run-heavy offensive approach should mean more touches for Jaylen Warren and perhaps Kenneth Gainwell. It might mean more involvement for Darnell Washington, who is very large and physical. The Steelers rank 18th in pass rate over expected this season, and inside the ten yard line they are the 12th pass-heaviest team. Both Warren and Gainwell should be fantasy viable if Tomlin is serious about a reestablishment of physicality.

Gainwell rushed the ball five times for 20 yards in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Bills. He added two receptions on three targets for 25 yards.

The Steelers' rushing attack came into this game against a Bills defense that had been getting gashed on the ground. However, it was clear that the Bills were daring the Steelers to beat them through the air in 30 mph winds, and the Steelers weren't able to do it. Warren was bottled up for much of the day, but he did have double the carries of Kenneth Gainwell and was able to punch in the team's only touchdown. His usage suggests he could be a low-end RB2 against the Ravens next week.

Gainwell also added 25 receiving yards on two catches, including a ridiculous one-handed catch on a poor throw from Aaron Rodgers that Gainwell had to nearly scrape off the turf. Gainwell looked explosive as a receiver, but was unable to get much going as a runner and was also stuffed on a crucial fourth-and-two that helped seal the win for the Bills. If the Steelers are playing from behind in Week 14 against the Ravens, which is possible, Gainwell could be a decent deep-league FLEX play.

With fill-in QB Mason Rudolph checking it down left and right, Austin's five short-area targets were third on the team behind DK Metcalf and Kenneth Gainwell. Austin has had plenty of 4-5 catch pop-up weeks, but he has exceeded 40 yards two times all season. Regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is back for Week 13 against the Bills, Austin hasn't done enough to put himself on the WR4 map.