Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 28th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Betting Odds: PIT+4, 46.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger (Sit)
Ben Roethlisberger had his best game of the season in Week 11’s primetime loss to the Chargers. He completed 28 of 44 passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. That said, even in a week where Patrick Mahomes is on his BYE, surely you can find a better option to stream at QB than Big Ben. He’s only 23% rostered on Yahoo, and should be left on the wire. It’s also worth mentioning that the Bengals defense just held Derek Carr to throw for 215 yards and a touchdown (plus an interception).
Running Back
Najee Harris (Start, RB1)
A touchdown no doubt saved Najee Harris’ night against the Chargers, as he only tallied 39 yards on 12 carries. The five receptions for 39 yards certainly helped as well. He did exit the game briefly to be evaluated for a concussion after a scary hit, but did return. You’ll continue to fire him up as a locked-in RB1 against a Bengals defense that has been poor against the run this season for fantasy RB’s.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Diontae Johnson (Start, WR2), Chase Claypool (Start, WR3), Pat Freiermuth (Start, TE1), Eric Ebron (Sit)
Another week, another double-digit target share for Diontae Johnson. It’s the fifth time he’s had 13 targets in a game this season, and he’s gone back-to-back games with that same volume. He hauled in seven catches for 101 yards and a pretty touchdown against the Chargers, and he’s a sure-fire WR2 in Week 12’s divisional road game. Chase Claypool has been fairly disappointing this season, but did post five catches on nine targets for 93 yards against LA. Consider him a WR3 this week against Cincy.
Both tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Eric Ebron scored in the loss to the Chargers, but Ebron exited the game with a knee injury after his. ‘Muth out-targeted Ebron 7:3, and could be in line for a TE1 finish, especially if Ebron were to miss this game. The Bengals defense just allowed Darren Waller to catch seven of eight targets for 116 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow (Start, QB2)
It’s been down back-to-back games for Joe Burrow, and coming off the BYE in Week 11, he was only able to throw for 148 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. However, he was efficient, completing 20 of 29 attempts. And in fairness to Burrow, it was a run-heavy game plan for the Bengals, limiting Burrow’s day. If the Steelers get healthy and have any of T.J. Watt, Joe Haden, and Minkah Fitzpatrick return to action, it won’t be easy sailing for Burrow. I would peg him as a QB2 this week, yet a streamable option in a productive offense.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon (Start, RB1)
Have a day, Joe Mixon. Mixon saw his highest carry total on the season against Las Vegas, turning 30 rushes into 123 yards and two touchdowns. The usage on the ground was encouraging, but zero targets in the pass game was disappointing. Look for Mixon to have another productive game against a Steelers defense that just allowed Austin Ekeler to explode for four touchdowns; two through the air and two on the ground. Ekeler did only turn 11 carries into 50 yards, but had six receptions for 65.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR2), Tee Higgins (Start, FLEX), Tyler Boyd (Sit), C.J. Uzomah (Sit)
The deep shots were there for Ja’Marr Chase, but Burrow had some trouble hitting him against Vegas. Even so, Chase caught a beautiful corner of the end zone touchdown which saved his day, as he otherwise caught three of six targets for just 32 yards. The prized rookie could be in line for a larger target share against a Steelers defense that just allowed Keenan Allen to catch nine passes for 112 yards, and let Mike Williams 5-97 and a touchdown. Tee Higgins had a quiet game against the Raiders, catching two of only three targets for just 15 yards. Tyler Boyd went 6-49 on eight targets, but I would rather start Higgins and hope for a rebound game over Boyd. Tight end C.J. Uzomah has been quiet since his sudden touchdown surge back in Week 6 and 7, and remains a boom or bust streaming option.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)