It's only Week 7, but the Steelers have already built a big lead in the AFC North, and they'll try to widen that gap Thursday when they take on Bengals. Let's dig into each position for the single-game contests on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Quarterback
We have two veteran quarterbacks for our Thursday night DFS lineups. Aaron Rodgers ($9,800 DK, $12,600 FD) hasn't thrown a ton of deep balls this season, posting an average target depth of just 6.1 yards, which has contributed to fewer than 250 passing yards in all five games. However, he has racked up 10 touchdown passes, which is noteworthy because the Bengals are tied for the fourth-most touchdown passes allowed in the league.
The Bengals traded for Joe Flacco ($9,400 DK, $11,200 FD) and immediately made him their starting quarterback. In his first game with his new squad, he threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers. Wile his numbers with the Browns were underwhelming, he has far more talent around him at wide receiver in Cincinnati. The Steelers have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game in the league, so don't be surprised if Flacco produces a valuable stat line.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren ($8,400 DK, $9,200 FD) missed Week 4 with an injury but was able to return in Week 6 against the Browns following their bye. He finished with 11 carries for 52 yards and caught both of his targets for 12 yards. Kenneth Gainwell ($6,400 DK, $6,600 FD) played well in his absence, but he had just six carries for 22 yards and six catches for 14 yards. Warren is the top DFS target among the Steelers' backfield, especially considering the Bengals have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game in the league.
A change at quarterback didn't help Chase Brown ($8,000 DK, $10,600 FD), who had just nine carries for 42 yards and caught both of this targets for seven yards last week. Brown has not rushed for more than 47 yards in a game this season, while also not topping 31 receiving yards. His top backup should be Samaje Perine ($4,400 DK, $ FD), who only has 15 carries for 68 yards this season. With the issues that the Bengals have on their offensive line, it's difficult for any of their running backs to get much going.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The change to Flacco might end up being good news for Ja'Marr Chase ($12,000 DK, $13,200 FD) and Tee Higgins ($10,000 DK, $8,600 FD). Flacco looked Chase's way often, giving him 12 targets against the Packers, which he turned into 10 receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. Even with all of the Bengals' problems at quarterback, Chase has 42 receptions for 468 yards and four touchdowns through six games. While his salary is hefty, he comes with tremendous upside. Although his stats weren't as gaudy as Chase's last week, Higgins finished with season-highs in receptions (five) and receiving yards (62). However, he has four games with fewer than 35 receiving yards this season. It might be difficult for him to live up to his salary, especially on DraftKings.
DK Metcalf ($10,400 DK, $12,200 FD) was a terrific deep threat with the Seahawks, posting an average depth of target of at least 11.0 yards in each of the last five seasons. However, with the Steelers operating a conservative offense, his aDOT is just 9.2 yards this year. Still, he has accounted for 23.1 percent of the team's targets, which has enabled him to record at least 83 receiving yards in three of five games. He has also caught a touchdown in four straight. The Bengals have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to wide receivers, so Metcalf remains an appealing option. Calvin Austin III is second on the Steelers among wide receivers with 17 targets, but he has been ruled out again with his shoulder injury. While Austin was out last week, Roman Wilson ($1,200 DK, $1,600 FD) was the only wide receiver other than Metcalf to even be targeted in the game, catching his lone one for 12 yards.
The Steelers relied heavily on their tight ends with Austin out, as Darnell Washington ($2,000 DK, $2,400 FD) caught three of five targets for 62 yards, Jonnu Smith ($4,000 DK, $5,600 FD) caught three of his four targets for 18 yards and Pat Freiermuth ($3,000 DK, $4,600 FD) hauled in an 11-yard reception. None come with huge upside, but Washington and Smith are viable options with cheap salaries to help balance out your budget.
Mike Gesicki (pectoral) has been placed on injured reserve and Tanner Hudson (concussion) will also be sidelined for the Bengals on Thursday. Their absences could lead to an expanded workload for Noah Fant ($3,600 DK, $5,000 FD), who caught all four of his targets for 27 yards last week. That makes him intriguing against a Steelers defense that has allowed the eighth-most yards per target to tight ends, and three touchdowns to the position.
Kicker
Chris Boswell ($5,400 DK, $6,800 FD) made 41 of his 44 field goal attempts last season, but he has already missed two of 11 this year. Still, he has made three kicks of at least 50 yards after going 13-for-15 on attempts from at least that long last season. With the Bengals offense struggling, Evan McPherson ($5,000 DK, $6,200 FD) has attempted just eight field goals across six games. He hasn't helped his cause by missing two, and since the start of last season, he is just 4-for-10 on attempts of at least 50 yards.
Defense/Special Teams
The Steelers ($5,800 DK, $7,200 FD) put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks, as they sit second in the league with 20 sacks. The same can't be said for the Bengals ($3,200 DK, $6,000 FD), who have just 11. The Bengals have also allowed 30.5 points per game, which puts them behind only the Ravens (32.3) and Cowboys (30.7).
