Kansas City Chiefs - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Ben Roethlisberger or Alex Smith?

by Mike Rose

10/11/17

NFL

Kansas City Chiefs

A huge grudge match is set to occur at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon when the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers into town for the first time since the black and yellow ended their season in the Division Round of last year’s playoffs.

Neither Ben Roethlisberger nor Alex Smith put forth good games in that matchup, but the decks are stacked much differently in the fifth meeting in the last four seasons between these rivals.

Fantasy Matchup: Ben Roethlisberger (13.5 PFP) vs. Alex Smith (20.5 PFP)

After getting picked off five times and looking dreadful last week versus the Jaguars, Roethlisberger may be quickly dismissed by many fantasy footballers when setting up their Dober fantasy matchups this week. That could end up being a costly mistake, though, especially following the Steelers quarterback’s tirade about not having it anymore and blaming himself solely for the offense’s troubles.

The mumbo jumbo he spewed to the media following the game was nothing but window dressing. Expect Roethlisberger to take the field with fire in his eyes and acid in his veins. We’ll have the pleasure of seeing a much-different quarterback take the field in Week 6, so don’t be one in the masses who looks to fade him simply because he’s on the road.

Memo to those not in the know, but Kansas City has been a pretty solid defense to target when looking for fantasy goodness from pass catchers. The Chiefs concede an average of 248.0 passing yards per game (No. 25) at 7.0 yards per pass attempt (No. 22). Only seven teams surrender more Dober Fantasy Points than Kansas City, and the Chiefs have also given up nine touchdowns through the air.

The Kansas City money train has been going full speed ahead ever since that Week 1 upset of the Patriots in Foxboro, and those than have banked off of it are hoping it doesn’t slow any time soon. Smith should thank his lucky stars that Andy Reid selected Patrick Mahomes in the NFL Draft. All it’s done is light a fire that’s done nothing but propel him to the single-best fantasy start of his career.

While having a bevy of solid options to get the ball to has helped tremendously, Smith simply just looks like an entirely new quarterback. Only Tom Brady and Carson Palmer have thrown for more yards. His 11 touchdown passes are two off Aaron Rodgers’ pace for the most in the league. On top of all that, he’s yet to throw an interception, and his quarterback rating is at an all-time high (125.8) through five weeks.

Now that we’ve done nothing but praise his efforts, it’s time for a reality check. He’s run up against the Patriots, Eagles, Chargers, Redskins and Texans. Of those five teams, which has a pass defense ranked in the top 10? If you replied with “none,” congrats, because you know your stuff.

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently possess the top pass defense in all of football. The unit has given up an average of just 139.6 yards per game, has picked off at least one pass in four of five games, and has only allowed three touchdowns.  

Though its stats were accrued against some wretched pass defenses, Kansas City would be foolish to press its luck through the air when Pittsburgh has done nothing but give up yards in bunches on the ground (No. 28). With the Chiefs likely to look to their rushing attack early and often, it’s going to be extremely tough for Smith to come anywhere close to his 23.7 DFP average due to a lack of opportunities. Add to the equation a determined Big Ben with a plethora of targets to make sweet fantasy love with, and the choice becomes all the more clear for which of these two field generals you should select on your Week 6 Dober Play Cards.

Week 6 Fantasy Projection: Ben Roethlisberger (+7) vs. Alex Smith