Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 15, 2026, 8:20 PM ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: NBC
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
I guess for managers who are without Caleb Williams this week, Rodgers is an okay fill-in quarterback, but is that a situation managers really want to be in? For what it’s worth, he did dice up the Bengals defense earlier this season for 292 yards and three scores, but he hasn’t finished as a top-12 quarterback since Week 5. I would rather look to other streaming options in better matchups – maybe Tyler Shough or Bryce Young – for my bye week streamer.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: START, RB1
Rico Dowdle: FLEX, RB3
Lew Nichols: SIT
Jaylen Warren is basically Chipotle. You know exactly what you’re going to get and you’re probably going to enjoy it. Warren has finished with at least 15.0 PPR fantasy points in five of his last six games, and has not finished lower than RB26 all season long. You can start him, and we won’t even charge you extra for the guac.
Dowdle, on the other hand, is a little trickier. Since returning from injury, he has yet to top 50% snap share, but he’s been efficient in his rushing. If the efficiency wavers, the volume isn’t enough to sustain fantasy value on its own, with Warren taking so many touches away. I don’t mind taking a shot on Dowdle, but it would feel a little bit desperate, especially in the Sunday night time slot.
Editor’s Note: QDowba was right there, guys.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Germie Bernard: START, WR3
Brandon Smith: SIT
Metcalf has been on the field for 90% of snaps or more in every game so far this season and still has finished as a top-12 WR only once this year. Since Week 5, Bernard has also been on the field for 85% of snaps or more, setting himself apart as the clear WR2 in this offense. Both Steelers wide receivers are fine starting options as third wide receivers or in the flex, but don’t expect either one to have a massive game. The Bengals have allowed just one wide receiver to clear 75 yards this season (Zay Flowers, Week 7) and just held Drake London to five catches for 68 yards.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: STREAMER
Darnell Washington: STREAMER
Cincinnati allows the most yards after the catch to tight ends and the eighth-most points to the position, which puts Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington both on the streaming radar. Just know he’s at 4.4 targets a game.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: SIT
Cincinnati scores the second-most points in the league, and Pittsburgh is a 3.5-point road underdog. If you’re forced to play the Steelers’ DST, I’ll at least give you some hope – the Bengals played an international game last week while the Steelers had a bye. Teams coming off of a bye are 5-0 all-time against teams returning from an international game the week prior.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START, QB1
Having Joe Burrow is like walking into Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse dressed to the nines. A little excessive, maybe, but you know exactly what kind of night you’re trying to have.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB1
Samaje Perine: SIT
Tahj Brooks: SIT
The Brown doubters are growing in number, and with good reason. His snap share has dropped each of the past two weeks, all the way down to a 63% clip against Atlanta in Week 9, and now he matches up with the Steelers defense, which is traditionally tough against opposing running backs. Well, things aren’t as dire as they appear. Brown sat for most of the fourth quarter last week as the game was out of hand, and the Pittsburgh run defense has just been okay this season. If this game is competitive, Brown should see more touches and be on the field more often. Start him with confidence.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR1
Dohnte Meyers: SIT
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are like Texas Roadhouse. You can get steak. You can get ribs. And it doesn’t matter which one you pick because you really can’t go wrong with either one. We’re seeing the most elite version of this dynamic duo in 2026, and boy is it fun. Keep on enjoying it and let the good times roll, even against a tough Steelers defense.
Dohnte Meyers took a step forward last week and appears to be the third guy on the depth chart, but he’s not a viable fantasy option unless one or both of the headline receivers are out of commission.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: STREAMER
Mike Gesicki has six touchdowns on 19 catches and the highest aDOT among tight ends. Pittsburgh allows the highest rate of deep targets to tight ends, which fits his game. There are worse lottery tickets to play at the tight end position.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: STREAMER
Cincinnati is tied for the fifth-most sacks and takeaways per game, and Pittsburgh’s implied total is just 23. And Aaron Rodgers is really old.