Offtopic » JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to get something straight

That 4.52-second 40-yard dash the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver ran at the combine in the spring of 2017? It was a blessing Cheap Derwin James Jersey , even if it didn't feel like it at the time.A fraction faster and Smith-Schuster knows he likely goes higher than the 62nd overall pick in the draft and the chance to catch passes from Ben Roethlisberger and learn alongside Antonio Brown on a team with perennial and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations never materializes. So if Smith-Schuster had to wear the label of being "slow" for a few weeks, so be it."That was the biggest thing for me coming out of college like 'He doesn't have breakaway speed, he doesn't have breakaway speed,'" Smith-Schuster said Thursday. "But like C'mon. You've seen what I've been doing."It's kind of hard to miss.The 22-year-old leads the Steelers (7-3-1) in receptions (77) and yards receiving (1,055) heading into Sunday's visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (8-3), including a 97-yard catch-and-run for a score last week against Denver, tying his own record for the longest grab in franchise history set last year against Detroit.Smith-Schuster ran underneath a rainbow from Roethlisberger, pulled away from Chris Harris Jr. and stiff-armed Darian Stewart to the ground with one thought running through his mind."Every time I break away with those (long) touchdowns I always say . I'm not going to say the word, but I always say 'Combine, what? What was the combine for?'" Smith-Schuster said.Apparently, not much.Though Smith-Schuster's enthusiastic and decidedly physical approach to blocking 鈥?one head coach Mike Tomlin likened to former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward 鈥?initially earned him the respect of his teammates as a rookie, he's spent most of his second season becoming more than just a complement to Brown but a legitimate and dependable big-time threat in his own right.When the Steelers were desperately trying to rally from a 16-point deficit in Jacksonville two weeks ago, Smith-Schuster's leaping 35-yard grab down the sideline on Pittsburgh's final drive helped set up the game-winning touchdown.It was the same against the Broncos. Roethlisberger hit Smith-Schuster for a pair of 19-yard gains on the Steelers' last possession and on first-and-goal at the Denver 3, Roethlisberger didn't look to Brown but to Smith-Schuster. The pass to the corner of the end zone was too long Cheap Melvin Gordon Jersey , and two plays later Roethlisberger was intercepted in the end zone while trying to thread a pass to Brown.After the 24-17 loss the quarterback admitted he wished he'd looked for Smith-Schuster on every snap and chastised Brown for running the wrong route, suggesting the "WiFi" connection 鈥?Brown's description for his relationship with Roethlisberger 鈥? between one of the most productive quarterback/receiver combinations in NFL history is on the fritz.Smith-Schuster understands it lends itself to an easy narrative that the torch is in the process of being passed. He insists that's hardly the case. It's Brown, not Smith-Schuster, frequently drawing double teams. It's Brown, not Smith-Schuster, who remains Roethlisberger's favorite target. And it's Brown 鈥?who is co-starring with Smith-Schuster in a series of Pizza Hut commercials 鈥?who is on a potentially Hall of Fame career path."It's hard, you know?" Smith-Schuster said. "But (Brown) still makes his plays and he still has the explosive plays that he's making. And for me to be a young guy, just like me and James (Washington) and some of the other guys ... we are able to eat off his plate because of what he's done in the past."And in the present. The 30-year-old Brown is on pace to extend his NFL-record streak of consecutive seasons with at least 100 receptions to six even with the increased attention from opposing defenses. While Smith-Schuster allows he plays a position known for producing divas, he has no plans on becoming one creating any sort of "me or him" scenario with Brown."If you are asking if there's a problem between me and AB or any of the other guys, that's not happening," Smith-Schuster said. "Obviously we are trying to strive for one goal."The only goal by which every season in Pittsburgh is measured. The Steelers lead the AFC North heading into December and are on track for a fifth straight playoff berth. Yet Pittsburgh hasn't reached the Super Bowl since 2010 and while Smith-Schuster is all for expanding his "global brand" 鈥?look no further than his rapidly rising endorsement deals or his forever busy Instagram page for proof 鈥?he knows all the yards, all the touchdowns and GIF-able celebrations that ensue won't amount to much if the Steelers don't reach the Super Bowl."All of this doesn't matter if you don't win it all," he said.Something Pittsburgh can do if Brown and Smith-Schuster continue to develop into arguably the best wide receiver combination in the league. They're getting close if they're not already there, and they know it."When it comes to game day Cheap Philip Rivers Jersey , it's all we talk about," Smith-Schuster said. "(We say) 'It's GOAT time. It's time the GOAT comes alive.' You make your plays, on both sides. And we've seen it work." A look at some key fantasy football questions for Week 13:WHICH UNDER THE RADAR PLAYERS HAVE THE BEST CHANCE FOR A BIG GAME THIS WEEK?Broncos QB Case Keenum has a very favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Cincinnati has yielded at least three passing TDs to QBs in four of their last five games, including four to Browns QB Baker Mayfield last week. Keenum threw for two TDs against the Steelers in Week 12 and last season against Cincinnati he threw two TD passes and completed 20 of 23 passes.Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the past two weeks and it even forced him to the sidelines for part of his Week 12 matchup. If Drake plays this week he's likely to be limited. His teammate Frank Gore has rushed for 5.81 yards per carry (YPC) over the past two weeks. He's showing no signs of slowing down at age 35 and is averaging just under 16 carries in his last three games. He's yet to score a TD this season but takes on the Bills in Week 13, and they've yielded seven TDs to RBs in their last five games.Redskins receiver Josh Doctson is finally healthy, and he caught six passes for 66 yards with Washington QB Colt McCoy under center in Week 12. McCoy targeted Doctson 10 times and this week he faces a bruised and battered Eagles secondary. If Jamison Crowder is forced to miss his eighth straight game look for Doctson to be heavily targeted once again this week.Panthers WR D.J. Moore has 15 receptions, 248 receiving yards and a TD in his last two games and takes on the Buccaneers in Week 13. They're tied for giving up the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to WRs and the second-most receiving TDs to the position. If Devin Funchess' cranky back forces him to miss a second consecutive game, Moore should have another productive week.An already thin fantasy TE position got even thinner with Jack Doyle of the Colts and Denver's Jeff Heuerman placed on injured reserve this week. Jets TE Chris Herndon has provided fantasy owners with double digit fantasy points in four of his last six games in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring formats. Unfortunately, he has a tough matchup against the Titans who give up the least FPPG to the position. Matt LaCosse, who takes over for Heuerman in Denver, had three catches for 34 yards and a TD in Week 12. He takes on the Bengals in Week 13. They've given up the second most FPPG to TEs.WHAT STRATEGY IS BEST SUITED FOR LINEUP CONSTRUCTION THIS LATE IN THE SEASON JUST BEFORE THE FANTASY PLAYOFFS?In most cases, you should use the same strategy that has worked for you all season long. Start your fantasy studs. For instance, this isn't the week to consider sitting Falcons WR Julio Jones just because the Ravens are extremely tough against WRs. Don't overthink things.WHAT ABOUT ROSTER MOVES?Your team's roster may contain marginal fantasy players you were forced to start in order to field a competitive team through previous bye weeks. If you no longer intend to use those players, replace them with players who could better help your team. The key words are "marginal fantasy players." You never want to drop a player that your competitors can pick up off of the waiver wire and use against you. Be especially careful of dropping RBs who are one injury away from becoming their team's primary back.WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE TEAM DEFENSES GOING FORWARD?With just about every team defense having struggled at some point this season Cheap Keenan Allen Jersey , streaming has been the way to go. The Bears have been the best fantasy defense of 2018 but even they gave up more than 30 points two weeks in a row. If you're dropping a "marginal player" based on our advice in the previous section, why not replace him with a second defense who has upcoming favorable matchups. For instance, the Bills have scored the ninth most fantasy points among defenses. Their next three opponents are top eight in FPPG allowed to opposing fantasy defenses. Consider adding the Broncos defense who take on the 49ers in Week 14 and the Raiders in Week 16 (championship week). Both opponents are top five in FPPG allowed to fantasy defenses.WITH MELVIN GORDON POTENTIALLY OUT FOR WEEKS AND AUSTIN EKELER ALREADY OWNED IN MOST LEAGUES DOES JUSTIN JACKSON HAVE ANY FANTASY VALUE THIS WEEK?Although Jackson should be rostered, unless you play in an extremely deep league you should avoid starting him. Expect Ekeler to out-touch Jackson in Week 13, but if Ekeler aggravates his neck injury or if Gordon misses more time than expected, Jackson's fantasy value could skyrocket.WITH JAGUARS RB LEONARD FOURNETTE SERVING A ONE GAME SUSPENSION IS CARLOS HYDE A GOOD START IN WEEK 13?Hyde appears to have a good matchup against the Colts who've given up the 12th most FPPG to opposing RBs this season, but over their past four games they've limited RBs to just 3.78 YPC. In Hyde's four games with the Jaguars he's averaging just 3.44 YPC and he'll also have fellow RB T.J. Yeldon potentially stealing a few carries from him as well. If you are in desperate need of a starting RB this week you can take a chance on Hyde, but he's a risky play.IS VIKINGS RB DALVIN COOK STARTABLE GOING FORWARD?Cook has just 29 carries in his last three games, and is averaging just 2.16 YPC over the past two weeks. Cook's lack of volume suggests that he may not be 100 percent healthy. Your fantasy season is probably on the line. If you have a more reliable option at RB, use it.