Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 1, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Network: CBS
Writer: Chris Helle (@ChrisHelleQBL on Twitter)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: Steaming Option, QB2
An asterisk is placed next to last week given the snowy conditions, but we still know what we get from Russell Wilson and this offense. Pittsburgh runs the ball at the second-highest rate in the league, and the Bengals’ run defense isn’t a matchup we’d expect that trend to shy away from. With that said, Russ has shown the tendency to go for the deep balls to George Pickens and Calvin Austin. In his five games as a starter, Russ finished as a top-10 QB only twice, as he’s yet to eclipse 300 passing yards in any game. With the way the Bengals’ offense has been scoring, there is a likelihood for pressure to be put on the Steelers to keep up — but it’s not enough to call Russ a “must start.” He’ll be a safe option to consider if you’re lacking better options but simply hasn’t shown the ability to hit a 25+ point ceiling.
Running Back
Najee Harris: FLEX Option, RB3
Jaylen Warren: FLEX Option, RB3
This backfield was Najee’s to own for much of the season as Jaylen Warren was battling injuries, but we’ve now entered the full split-backfield territory. Najee Harris may have had slightly more carries last week, but Warren saw 12 more snaps (an 18% differential). While Harris seems to get more goal-line carries, Warren is more of a pass catcher. These two both land in the FLEX range given the split workload, a middle-of-the-pack matchup, and what will likely be a neutral game script, given it’s a divisional game.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens: Start, WR2
Calvin Austin: Sit, WR4
Mike Williams: Sit
There’s no doubt that George Pickens is a weekly starter from here on out. He’s dominated the target share and volume of air yards, has the big-play potential, and has been getting red zone targets in nearly every game. The Bengals’ pass defense is in the lower quartile, but (as just mentioned for Pittsburgh’s RBs) the Steelers are a run-heavy team and likely won’t shy away from it in this one. If you’re in desperate need of filling your flex with a waiver pickup, Calvin Austin should be preferred over Mike Williams — Austin has seen a few more of Russ’s deep shots and is on the field for over twice as many snaps as Williams. Both are true dart throws, though, so don’t look their way unless you don’t have any other options.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: Streaming Option, TE2
We may as well consider Pat Freiermuth the ‘Jerome Ford of TEs’ — 8 of his 11 games have been between 6 to 11 fantasy points, with the other three as two busts and one boom (sorta, 16.7 in PPR). He’s been logging a pretty consistent 3-5 targets a game but only has 3 TDs on the year. With no other teams BYE this week, you’ll likely have better options with higher ceilings.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: Start, QB1
This Steelers defense is stingy, but Joe Burrow has been on an absolute tear. With 12 TDs and only 1 INT over the last three games, he’s been the QB1 twice and the QB2 this past week (before MNF). He’s coming off the BYE week and should have Tee Higgins back in the lineup, and the Bengals’ playoff hopes are slipping out of reach. Burrow has done everything in his power to will his team to get wins (even though the defense has let him down), and there’s no reason to expect him to slow down.
Running Back
Chase Brown: Start, RB2
Khalil Herbert: Sit
The Steelers have allowed the 6th fewest yards per rush attempt, but Chase Brown should still be locked and loaded for another decent game. He’s gone three straight weeks as a top-10 RB, mostly attributed to his work in the passing game — 19 receptions for 146 yards and 1 TD over those three games. Brown is the bell cow RB in this offense, seeing over 80% of snaps. The only thing holding him back from being considered an RB1 this week is, of course, the tough matchup and the risk of this divisional game turning into another vintage AFC North grudge match.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: Start, WR1
Tee Higgins: Start, WR2
Andre Iosivas: Sit
There may not be another receiver in the league that has a higher ceiling than Ja’Marr Chase — he’s put up 4 weeks as a top-5 WR, including both of the past two weeks. There’s really no situation in which you’d consider benching him whenever Burrow is healthy. Likewise, Tee Higgins should also be in for a solid output this week: he actually has more targets than Chase across the games he’s played, and he also had more red zone targets during Weeks 3-7. He’s a frustrating asset to own, given the time missed, but he’s a must-start whenever he’s healthy.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: Sit
There’s been a noticeable trend: Mike Gesicki’s target share spikes whenever Higgins is out and drops severely whenever Higgins plays. He’s only seen 2 or fewer targets in every game with Higgins active, so he is a far cry from a reliable start unless Higgins pops back up on the injury report.