Mark Andrews or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Andrews' scoring role wins out over Freiermuth's recent momentum

Start Mark Andrews: his red-zone mismatch and quarterback rapport fit an offense expected to create more scoring chances, making the narrow projection edge more meaningful at tight end. Freiermuth has real momentum—SI.com (Steelers On SI) 2026-09-17 reports he should remain a primary target—but that path depends on Pittsburgh sustaining drives in a lower-scoring setup against a difficult TE matchup. Andrews' risk is a potential blowout spreading Baltimore's targets; Freiermuth's upside is concentrated volume if Pittsburgh must throw.

What flips it: A confirmed major increase in Freiermuth's target competition relief, especially if Pittman is limited or out.

Sources: SI.com (Steelers On SI) · Sep 17, 2026

AI editor

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews

TE15BALvs NO

Projected Points

Start· medium
Pat Freiermuth

Pat Freiermuth

TE24PITvs NE

Projected Points

Sit

Mark Andrews’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+114 / -145
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 46.5
-114 / -110
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+135
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Pat Freiermuth’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
+103 / -131
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 31.5
-111 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+380
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NO@
BALSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
PIT@
NESun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Mark Andrews

Start· medium

TE1 and red-zone mismatch. Veteran seam-stretcher with strong hands and quarterback rapport.

25% target share and 72% snaps in a 27-point implied offense — Andrews is a volume-driven TE1 start despite the TE15 tag.

  • His red-zone role gives strong target volume a better chance to become touchdowns, not just catches.
  • A favorable game script supports Andrews' scoring equity even if Baltimore does not need to throw late.

The call

  • A 25% target share is elite for the position — Andrews is the clear focal point in the passing game, and that usage floor matters more than his TE15 consensus label in PPR.
  • Baltimore's 27.0 implied total as a 7.5-point favorite means plenty of scoring chances, and Andrews has long been the red-zone preference in this offense.
  • The DvP composite of 12 of 32 reads slightly tough, but it's a 1-game sample with 0.00 confidence — not enough to bench a target hog.
  • Risk is script-based: a big early lead could shift Baltimore run-heavy and cap his volume, and 72% snaps leaves some rotational work on the table.

Why Pat Freiermuth

Sit

TE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.

Sit — bench-tier TE at consensus TE24: NE is the 2nd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 14% target share.

  • His Week 1 touchdown and primary-target role give him a legitimate path to beat the projection.
  • If Pittsburgh trails, Freiermuth can stay involved as a reliable chain-moving outlet.

Latest on Freiermuth

Status

Freiermuth is positioned to remain a primary target in Week 2 after catching all five of his targets for 46 yards and the offense's only touchdown in Week 1, especially if Pittman is limited or out.

SI.com (Steelers On SI) · Sep 17, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricMark AndrewsPat Freiermuth
Projected points
Consensus rankTE15TE24
Opponent vs positionNO · 12 of 321-game sampleNE · 2 of 321-game sample
Receptions18 of 322 of 32
Receiving Yards17 of 322 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets24 of 322 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share25%14%
Reception share24%21%
Implied total · spread27.0-7.519.5+4.5
Depth chartTE1TE2
Snap share72%73%
Start/Sit record0–1—

Recent form

Mark Andrews — last 1 week

Week 1vs IND

Pat Freiermuth — last 1 week

Week 1vs ATL

Signal breakdown

  • 10.4 vs 8.5 projected PPR pointsMark Andrews +
  • Rank 15 vs 24Mark Andrews +
  • Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 2 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 27.0 vs 19.5 team pointsMark Andrews +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 72% vs 73% snap sharePat Freiermuth +

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