Carson Wentz, currently ranking as the 13th quarterback in fantasy football, presents an intriguing mix of strengths and weaknesses for fantasy managers to consider. Although he stands impressively in the top five for yards per attempt and boasts the second-best passer rating among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, his performance reveals some notable gaps. His completion percentage over expected (CPOE) is the lowest in this group, and he ranks 18th in terms of catchable target rate while having the highest off-target throw rate.
Despite these inconsistencies, Wentz’s upcoming matchup presents a promising opportunity for him to shine. He faces the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose pass defense has been struggling significantly this season. The Steelers have allowed some of the highest statistics in unfavorable defensive metrics: the fifth-most yards per attempt, the ninth-highest passer rating, the second-highest CPOE, and the sixth-most passing yards per game. These weaknesses could position Wentz to achieve QB1-level production, provided he capitalizes on these vulnerabilities.
The primary challenge Wentz faces this week will be the Steelers’ formidable pass rush, which ranks 11th in terms of pressure rate. However, it’s noteworthy that the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line, where Wentz operates, has the 13th-highest pressure rate over expectation and maintains the 12th-fastest time to sack. This suggests that Wentz may have the protection he needs to exploit the opportunities presented by the Steelers’ defense.
In summary, while Carson Wentz has his flaws as a passer, his potential to excel this week is buoyed by the deficiencies in the Steelers’ pass defense. Fantasy managers should keep a keen eye on his performance, as it could lead to substantial points if the circumstances align favorably.