Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Zay Flowers

Friday, December 20, 6:15 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) didn't officially practice this week and was ruled out for Saturday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens for the third straight game, but he is running and did make an effort to be cleared this week. The Steelers are optimistic that Pickens will be ready to go next Wednesday on Christmas Day to face the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old picked the worst possible time to miss games for fantasy managers relying on him in the postseason, but he could be back next week to resume his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout. If Pickens is active next week, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed not to throw him back in their starting lineups, even in a tough matchup against the Chiefs' stingy defense. Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams have done little in Pickens' absence, with tight end Pat Freiermuth being the biggest beneficiary.

Saturday, December 21, 9:37 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reeled in 5-of-8 targets for 100 yards in Week 16's 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He added three yards on his lone carry. The 24-year-old was quiet for most of the contest but salvaged his day late with a field-flipping 49-yard grab. It was the first time that Flowers had reached the century mark since way back in Week 9, and just the third time in that stretch he's recorded at least five receptions. Despite the boom-bust nature of his game, the second-year wideout is far and away quarterback Lamar Jackson's No. 1 target and a dynamic player when in space with the ball in his hands. The former first-round pick will get a favorable matchup in Week 17 against a Houston Texans defense that's allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers through 15 weeks (36.0).