The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals start Week 7 on Thursday Night Football. While fantasy football matchups are determined on Sunday, starting out on the right foot is key. This AFC North battle will be key for both the division race and your matchup. So make the right decisions with our Steelers-Bengals Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em.
There is only one key injury to monitor for fantasy football managers. Steelers WR Calvin Austin has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, making DK Metcalf the lone elite target for Aaron Rodgers. Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki might not play, but there are many better options than him across the league.
With all of that in context, who should managers play in fantasy football for Thursday night's Steelers-Bengals matchup?
Steelers-Bengals Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh RB
The Steelers missed Jaylen Warren in Week 4 in their London win over the Minnesota Vikings. Coming out of the bye, Warren came back with his worst performance of the season in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. But the Bengals' defense is much worse and should provide running lanes for Warren. Don't get nervous about his poor performance and keep him in the lineup.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati WR
The Bengals' offense looked much better in one game under Joe Flacco than it did under Jake Browning. Flacco may save fantasy football managers a lot of headaches by making Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase auto-starts. Higgins had his most yards in a game this season against the Packers in Week 6. With Jalen Ramsey on Chase, it could be a big night for Higgins.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh QB
The Steelers offense is not going to rewrite any record books this season, but Aaron Rodgers has been solid for fantasy football managers so far this year. Throw him in your lineup this week against a poor Bengals defense, especially if Josh Allen is your quarterback. Rodgers should be able to tear up the Bengals' secondary, even on a short week.
Start ‘Em: DK Metcalf (PIT WR), Chris Boswell (PIT K), Ja'Marr Chase (CIN WR)
Steelers-Bengals Sit ‘Em
Chase Brown, Cincinnati RB
The Bengals have not been able to run the ball, and a matchup with the Steelers is not what any struggling running back wants to see. Brown has not cracked 12 points in PPR leagues since Week 1, which is also the last time he scored a touchdown. He is also one of the few players not to get a fantasy bump in Flacco
Bengals D/ST
The Bengals' defense has been terrible this year and is unlikely to improve anytime soon. Both Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart are on the injury report, which takes away a massive fantasy football scoring opportunity. Sacking Aaron Rodgers is where they would get their points, so having backup edge rushers is not ideal. They also are not going to be a solid option in any matchup coming up, so leave them on the waiver wire.
Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh TE
The Steelers have not been targeting Jonnu Smith much in the red zone this season. making him a poor fantasy football option. He has not scored a touchdown since Week 1, which does not bode well for the Thursday game. Smith was great in spurts for the Miami Dolphins last year, but has not found the right role in Arthur Smith's offense. And any former Kyle Pitts manager will tell you that is is no guarantee any tight end finds that role.
Sit ‘Em: Joe Flacco (CIN TE), Noah Fant (CIN TE), Evan McPherson (CIN K)
