2025 Week 7 TNF Fantasy Football Preview : PIT @ CIN

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  • By Jon Mosales

    Last Updated on October 16, 2025 10:16 am by Jon Mosales | Published: October 16, 2025

    TNF – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

    Point spread: PIT -5.5 | CIN +5.5

    Moneyline: PIT -250 | CIN -200

    Total: Over 44.5 | Under 44.5

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    Overview:

    This is a battle of ageing gunslingers with Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco.  Neither are great options for fantasy this week on a short week, but it’s a great spot for Rodgers has helped lead the Steelers to a 4-1 start and first place in the AFC North. He is second in the AFC with a 105.4 passer rating, along with 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.  He will be facing a Bengals defense that allows a league-high 7.7 yards per attempt on quick passes and eight touchdowns, second most which is where Rodgers eats. CIN has started slow all season and needs a quick start to stay in this game and not resort to Flacco airing it out.  This wasn’t the case vs. GB as the Bengals weren’t shy about allowing Flacco let it rip in his debut as he threw the ball 45 times for 31 completions. The PIT defense isn’t as elite as it’s been in previous season and recently let Carson Wentz go for 350 yards.  It’s a solid fantasy matchup with a potential for shootout if both QBs can stay upright.  The CIN defense is among the worst in the league, ranking 29th in yards per play allowed and opponent third-down conversion rate, while also ranking 30th in the red zone.  Ja’Marr Chase and DK Metcalf are going to eat all night, but will the RBs be able to find success

    Quarterbacks:

    Aaron Rodgers still has a little juice left and while he’s the QB23 on the season, this is the week to start him if you’re desperate.  He’s got one top-10 finish on the season and if he can go for two TDs vs. CLE, he should be able to replicate that vs. CIN.  Also, Trey Hendrickson is likely to miss the game for CIN and he’s the only real threat to rush the passer.  I like Rodgers in this game, but only from a Super Flex perspective as PIT doesn’t have any receiving threats outside of DK Metcalf and might alternate smashing Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren into the line.  Joe Flacco is more interesting since he’s at home with a negative game-script.  He was the QB15 last week vs. an elite defense and with more reps under his belt and more importantly Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, multiple TDs are almost assured.  The o-line is still a nightmare, but it’s the eternal question.  Do you want the QB playing behind with weapons in a pass-heavy script or the QB vs. a terrible defense likely playing from ahead.  I trust the WRs more than the QBs, so I would ride with Flacco over Rodgers.

    Running Backs:

    Chase Brown has been a bust this season and that isn’t going to change.  He’s the RB30 and hasn’t finished inside the top-20 or scored in the last five games.  The offense is pass-first, but that should bode well for Brown, but he only had two receptions last week after having eight two games ago.  He played just 54% of the snaps compared to Samaje Perine’s 46%.  He’s not on the field enough and Brown ranks second-to-last in rushing success rate this season.  You simply cannot start him until he proves capable of putting yards while also being a threat to score.  Jaylen Warren has two top-20 finishes and after missing a game, he looked fine, but only saw 11 carries while Kaleb Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell each had six.  Gainwell saw the passing work with six receptions, so Warren will have to eat on the ground even though he’s better through the air.  It’s still a great spot for Warren as CIN is allowing the third-most rushing yards and eight rushing TDs this season.  Warren is a matchup start this week and even Gainwell will do in a pinch, that’s how bad this CIN defense is.

     

    Wide Receivers: 


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    October 16, 2025, 10:16 am