Week 7 TNF: Preview, Props, Prediction

Thu Oct 16 5:02pm ET
Field Level Media

The third all-time meeting between 40-something quarterbacks kicks off the Week 7 slate for the NFL on Thursday night.

Aaron Rodgers, 41, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) visit 40-year-old Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) on Thursday night. The previous two times occurred in 2020, when Drew Brees, 41, and the New Orleans Saints twice beat Tom Brady, 43, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ODDS AND TRENDS

The Steelers enter riding a three-game winning streak and are consensus 5.5-point favorites over the Bengals, who have dropped four straight since losing quarterback Joe Burrow to a toe injury.

The spread line has drawn fairly event action at BetRivers, where Pittsburgh has drawn 55% of the money and 56% of the total bets. However, there is far stronger consensus on who will win the game outright, with the Steelers backed by 73 and 79 percent of the action, respectively, on their -275 moneyline.

Cincinnati's past 11 games have all been won by the favorite, while eight of the Bengals' past nine home games have gone Over the total points line. That number sits at 44.5 points at BetRivers, with the Over backed by 80% of the money and 56% of the bets.

PROP PICKS

--Steelers WR D.K. Metcalf Anytime TD Scorer (+143 at BetRivers): The first-year Steeler is quickly building chemistry with Rodgers, having scored in each of the past four games. Metcalf also has his two best production games over the past two games, catching five passes for 126 yards in Week 4 and four passes for 95 yards last Sunday.

--Bengals WR Tee Higgins 25+ Receiving Yards (-367 at DraftKings): The passing game received an immediate jolt with Flacco under center, which included Higgins catching a season-high 62 yards worth of passes last Sunday. He has had at least 25 receiving yards in four of six games to start the season, so the short odds aren't overly concerning here. The higher risk/reward factor comes with Higgins at 40+ Yards (-160), 50+ Yards (-102) and 60+ Yards (+155).

INSIDE EDGE INTEL

Steelers wide receivers lead the NFL with an average of 8.7 yards after the catch this season. The Bengals have allowed 5.2 yards after catch per reception to WRs this season (third-worst in NFL). Last season, the Bengals allowed 10 TD passes to tight ends.

SERIES REWIND

The Steelers won 11 consecutive games in the series from 2015-2020 and hold the all-time edge over the Bengals, 71-40 including a 2-0 record in the postseason.

THE BREAKDOWN

Cincinnati acquired Flacco prior to last week's trip to Green Bay and immediately installed him as the starter. The Bengals were 2-0 in games started by Burrow, who is on IR with a toe injury.

Jake Browning threw eight interceptions in three-plus games and Cincinnati was 0-3 in his last three starts, prompting the maneuver of acquiring Flacco from Cleveland to start for his third different AFC North team (Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns). He threw two TD passes in his debut last week and it's fair to say Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't excited to learn he'd be seeing Flacco for the 26th time in his career (the first 22 as a member of the rival Ravens and last September when Flacco replaced an injured Anthony Richardson with the Indianapolis Colts).

Rodgers might not be the MVP-level quarterback of decades ago, but he has mostly enjoyed success in a career reset with the Steelers. He rolls into Week 7 with 63,973 career regular-season passing yards and is only 115 yards back from former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (64,088 passing yards), who is currently fifth all-time in regular-season passing yards. Cincinnati has been hit early and often by big plays, especially in the passing game. The Bengals' 43 passing TDs allowed since the start of the 2024 season is second-worst in the NFL.

Pittsburgh's offseason investments on the other side of the ball are boosting the secondary. CB Jalen Ramsey gets a one-on-one matchup with Ja'Marr Chase, Flacco's clear No. 1 target, as the Bengals try to find a spark in the running game. Chase caught his 50th career TD last week and his 2,176 receiving yards since the 2024 season began leads the NFL. While his numbers are down from a superhuman effort in 2024, Chase is averaging seven catches per game, tied for No. 3 in the league.

RB Chase Brown's average of 2.7 yards per carry and 1.5 yards after contact are in the bottom five of the 43 qualified NFL backs in the league.

THEY SAID IT

--"It's reasonable to expect him to be significantly better in Week 2. He's been in the stadium with them. They've been in the stadium with him. They understand his demeanor, how he deals with circumstances. I would imagine they worked hard a week ago on developing timing and cohesion." --Tomlin

--"It's one thing (the media) can't talk about this week in terms of me being older, at least, but it's pretty neat. Aaron's been in the league a few years longer than me, but we both started playing in 2008, so doing it for a long time. It's pretty cool." --Flacco

INJURY REPORT

Cincinnati leading pass rusher Trey Hendrickson suffered a back contusion and did not return after exiting in the final minute of the first half at Green Bay. He was listed as questionable on the final injury report but is not expected to play.

The Bengals are expected to get a key piece of their defense back as rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, the 17th overall pick in April, is expected to play after missing the last four games with an ankle injury, according to defensive coordinator Al Golden. Stewart has practiced both days this week.

Cincinnati, however, could be without tight ends Mike Gesicki (pectoral) and Tanner Hudson (concussion). Both missed practice Tuesday.

For the Steelers, safety and special teams captain Miles Killebrew suffered a "significant" knee injury against Cleveland, said Tomlin, who has ruled him out for Thursday's game.

PREDICTION

Flacco pumped some life into the Bengals' offense but the Steelers can kick a lying dog while it's down and further distance themselves atop the AFC North with a convincing road win. Pittsburgh's offense is finding its rhythm and can control field position while dominating the clock with Cincinnati's ground game 31st in the NFL averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. --Steelers 30, Bengals 20

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 7

Player Notes
Jaylen Warren Oct 17 12:10am CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren rushed for 127 yards on 16 carries during Thursday's Week 7 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also caught four of his five targets for an additional 31 receiving yards. Although Warren wasn't able to find the end zone on Thursday night, he still had a terrific performance with 7.94 yards per carry and a significant impact in the passing game. His efficiency likely peaked thanks to his matchup against a Bengals defensive line sans Trey Hendrickson (hip), but he still has a favorable fantasy outlook heading into Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. He continues to rank as a steady RB2 option in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Oct 17 12:00am CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins caught six of his 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old is enjoying some newfound success after struggling to form a rapport with Jake Browning earlier in the year. He has looked much better in two games with Joe Flacco as his quarterback, totaling 11 catches, 158 yards, and one touchdown during that span. Flacco appears poised to remain the Bengals' quarterback for the duration of Joe Burrow's (toe) absence, which is great news for Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and their fantasy managers. Higgins will continue to operate behind Chase in the pecking order, but he still has standalone value as a low-end WR2 for Week 8 against the Jets.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Oct 16 11:50pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 23 of his 34 pass attempts for 249 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions during Thursday's Week 7 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also rushed for six yards and didn't take a sack. The four touchdowns worked wonders as Rodgers attempted to mount a late comeback on national television, but you could also argue that his two interceptions were the difference between a win and a loss in Cincinnati. One of the two turnovers wasn't exactly Rodgers' fault as his sideline pass was ripped out of DK Metcalf's hands, but the other came on an overthrown pass that the veteran quarterback would have loved to get back. With that being said, fantasy managers won't gripe too much about the two turnovers, as his four touchdowns were more than enough to boost his point total. He's a solid mid-range QB2 heading into Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Oct 16 11:40pm CT
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth caught four of his five targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's Week 7 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. His touchdowns came on 19-yard and 68-yard receptions, the latter of which gave Pittsburgh a late lead (that they would ultimately relinquish). Freiermuth had not yet posted a fantasy performance with more than 6.1 fantasy points this season (PPR), so Thursday's breakout was admittedly unexpected. It should give fantasy managers optimism moving forward, but there's no denying that the 26-year-old continues to face competition at the tight end position. Fellow tight ends Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington each scored touchdowns on Thursday night, too, offering Aaron Rodgers plenty of options when he's looking to target big, physical receivers in the passing game. As a result, managers should view Freiermuth as a low-end TE2 for Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Oct 16 11:40pm CT
Joe Flacco

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco completed 31 of his 47 pass attempts for 342 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Thursday's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also took two sacks. Just nine days removed from his trade to Cincinnati and three weeks removed from his benching in Cleveland, the veteran quarterback showed flashbacks to the peak of his career back in the 2010s. This was Flacco's first performance with three passing touchdowns and zero turnovers since Week 1 of the 2018 season. Perhaps most impressive -- beyond the fact that Flacco dug Cincinnati out of a multiple-possession deficit -- was the veteran quarterback posting such a good performance despite a matchup against a talented Pittsburgh Steelers defense. He didn't let T.J. Watt fluster him, nor did he have much trouble keeping the ball away from a solid secondary. Flacco has shown upside in years past, but he seems to have unlocked a whole new ceiling with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal. He'll vault into the high-end QB2 range for Week 8 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Oct 16 11:30pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught 16 of his 23 targets for 161 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The superstar receiver posted career-highs in targets and receptions as the Bengals mounted a comeback victory on national television. After facing some growing pains with Jake Browning under center, Chase has returned to elite form while catching passes from Joe Flacco. In his two games with the veteran quarterback, he has totaled 26 catches, 255 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Flacco has shown that he is capable of airing out the football, keeping the Bengals in close games, and limiting turnovers. All three of these factors bode well for Chase going forward, as he's firmly back in the high-end WR1 mix ahead of Week 8 against the Jets.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Oct 16 11:20pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught 16 of his 23 targets for 161 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The superstar receiver posted career-highs in targets and receptions as the Bengals mounted a comeback victory on national television. After facing some growing pains with Jake Browning under center, Chase has returned to elite form while catching passes from Joe Flacco. In his two games with the veteran quarterback, he has totaled 26 catches, 255 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Flacco has shown that he is capable of airing out the football, keeping the Bengals in close games, and limiting turnovers. All three of these factors bode well for Chase going forward, as he's firmly back in the high-end WR1 mix ahead of Week 8 against the Jets.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Oct 16 8:20pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

While it's unlike the Cincinnati Bengals to hold a fire sale, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson (hip) is likely to be a trade chip as this year's deadline approaches. Hendrickson suffered a hip injury in the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers and was inactive for Thursday night's divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it's not a long-term injury after his MRI exam came back clean. Rapoport was told that the Bengals would be seeking a young player who could help them this year and into the future, and a future mid-round pick, although it's unclear if the team is actually willing to trade Hendrickson. The veteran pass-rusher is coming off back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks, so he would immediately be a huge boost to any pass rush if he were dealt midseason, similar to Micah Parsons' impact in Green Bay.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Oct 16 8:10pm CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe), who suffered a serious turf-toe injury back in Week 2, is on track to return from Injured Reserve in mid-December, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burrow is a month into a three-month recovery after having surgery for a Grade 3 turf-toe injury. Burrow has been doing well in his rehab and has not had any setbacks, which means he's still in play to return at the tail end of the regular season if the Bengals still have something to play for. He has told people he has every intention of playing again this year, but he just needs Cincinnati to stay in the hunt in the meantime. The 28-year-old isn't guaranteed to be in play for the fantasy playoffs, so managers shouldn't feel obligated to hold onto him in redraft leagues. Jake Browning struggled with turnovers (eight picks in four games) after replacing Burrow, leading Cincy to trade for veteran Joe Flacco to try and keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Oct 16 8:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is expected to return when the Ravens come off their bye in Week 7 to face the Chicago Bears in Week 8, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jackson will have three weeks of rest, so he should be a full-go when the team comes off their bye to face Chicago. The 28-year-old two-time MVP has gone 1-3 in his four starts in 2025, but he does lead the league with a 10.5 touchdown percentage, a 10.78 adjusted yards gained per pass attempt, and a 130.5 QB rating. While this may end up being a lost season for the Ravens, Jackson still has the ability to carry fantasy football teams once he's back from his hamstring injury. The elite dual-threat signal-caller needs to be back in all starting fantasy lineups if he's active in Week 8, which is expected.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Oct 16 7:50pm CT
Terry McLaurin

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that there is "real concern" that Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) will be forced to miss a fourth straight game with a quad injury that he suffered back in Week 3. McLaurin returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, but he was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday, putting his status in doubt for Sunday's divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It's unclear if the Commanders gave the 30-year-old a maintenance day on Thursday, but typically, mid-week downgrades aren't a good sign. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) has yet to practice this week and might be in danger of missing Sunday's game as well. Noah Brown (groin, knee) was put on Injured Reserve this week, so the Commanders signed former Titans first-rounder Treylon Burks to their practice squad. It's possible that Luke McCaffrey, rookie Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore could start in three-wide sets against Dallas if both McLaurin and Samuel cannot play.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Oct 16 7:00pm CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (illness) was limited in practice again on Thursday as he works toward being cleared for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Jacobs has handled a heavy workload this season, logging 98 carries for 359 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 3.7 yards per attempt. Although his efficiency has dipped compared to his Pro Bowl 2024 campaign, Jacobs remains the clear lead back in Green Bay's offense, handling the vast majority of touches out of the backfield. The Cardinals present a middle-of-the-pack matchup, allowing 102 rushing yards per game, which ranks 13th in the NFL. Assuming Jacobs suits up, he should continue to see volume-driven RB2 production, though fantasy managers may want to temper expectations if his illness limits his workload heading into Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Oct 16 6:50pm CT
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) missed his second consecutive practice on Thursday, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Denver Broncos. With Malik Nabers (knee) already out for the season, Slayton's absence would further deplete the Giants' receiving corps. In that scenario, Wan'Dale Robinson would be positioned to handle a heavy target load, while Jalin Hyatt could see a significant uptick in snaps and opportunities. Hyatt caught three of five targets for 17 yards in Week 6 and would remain a risky deep-league dart throw if pressed into action. The Giants offense has shown signs of life recently, but fantasy managers should view Robinson as the only trustworthy option in this passing game heading into Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Oct 16 6:40pm CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) remained a limited participant in Thursday's practice as he works his way back from the turf toe injury he suffered in Week 1. The 49ers have managed a 4-2 record in his absence, with veteran backup Mac Jones (knee, oblique) handling starting duties. While Purdy is unlikely to return in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons, his continued presence at practice is a positive sign for his recovery timeline. The 49ers are expected to remain cautious with their young signal-caller, but the door appears open for a potential return in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers in superflex and two-quarterback formats should keep Purdy stashed, as his upside in a talented San Francisco offense makes him a valuable asset once he's back to full strength.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Oct 16 6:40pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib, shoulder) has been limited in practice all week but is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran wideout has battled multiple injuries this season, appearing in just four games while totaling 10 receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. With the 49ers offense still dealing with several key absences, quarterback Mac Jones will need all available weapons against the league's top-ranked pass defense -- one that just stifled Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Jennings' potential return would provide a much-needed boost to San Francisco's depth at receiver, though his fantasy value remains limited unless he begins to see a larger target share. For now, Jennings is best viewed as a deep-league stash or DFS dart throw in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 16 6:30pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hip) was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday's practice after being limited the day before, putting him on track to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears. The third-year wideout has maintained WR1 status in New Orleans with a commanding 32.3% target share, turning 39 receptions into 342 yards and a touchdown through six games. While quarterback Spencer Rattler has struggled with consistency, Olave continues to command double-digit targets nearly every week. His 60.9% catch rate highlights some inefficiency in the Saints' passing attack, but the sheer volume keeps Olave firmly in must-start territory for fantasy managers. Against a Bears defense allowing over 213 passing yards per game, Olave should remain the focal point of the Saints' offense and carries a solid WR2 floor with WR1 upside if the offense finds rhythm.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Oct 16 6:20pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, dealing a major blow to an already struggling defensive unit. Hendrickson leads the Bengals in sacks (4) this season, and his absence will make it even tougher for Cincinnati's defense -- currently ranked 31st in the league -- to contain a rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense. Without their top pass-rusher, the Bengals' ability to generate pressure and limit big plays takes a significant hit. Fantasy managers should steer clear of starting the Bengals defense in Week 7, as they'll face an uphill battle as they host a divisional rival finding its offensive rhythm.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Oct 16 6:10pm CT
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf) was added to the team's injury report on Thursday and is expected to miss at least the next couple of weeks. The veteran wideout's absence is another setback for a 49ers offense already dealing with multiple injuries across the roster. Fortunately, tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is trending toward returning this week, providing quarterback Mac Jones with a much-needed security blanket in the passing game. Without MVS, expect to see a heavy dose of Kittle along with Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings in the passing game while utilizing a run-heavy approach against the Atlanta Falcons. With the Falcons boasting the league's top-ranked defense, fantasy managers should temper expectations for all 49ers pass-catchers until the offense gets back to full strength.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Oct 16 5:50pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring), who is currently on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the season opener, said he plans to play this Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. The Niners designated the 32-year-old to return from IR this week, which means the team now has 21 days to officially activate him. In his return to practice on Wednesday, Kittle was limited, and he maintained that practice status on Thursday. Despite suffering a full tear of his hamstring in Week 1, Kittle is back to full health and is hoping to make his return this weekend. It's unclear if the coaching staff feels the same way yet, but we should have our answer by Saturday, when the Niners will need to activate Kittle from IR if they intend to play him on Sunday. Despite the layoff, Kittle will be back on the TE1 radar immediately if he returns to action against Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks Oct 16 5:30pm CT
Treylon Burks

Former Tennessee Titans first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks is expected to sign with the Washington Commanders' practice squad, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burks is a low-risk, high-reward addition who played in a similar offense in college to the one that Kliff Kingsbury is running in D.C., and he could be elevated quickly to Washington's active 53-man roster. Before visiting with the Commanders, Burks had a meeting with the Denver Broncos this week. The Commanders' impending addition of Burks speaks to their need for WR depth, with both Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) potentially missing the Week 7 game against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Noah Brown (groin, knee) was also put on Injured Reserve this week. Burks is an interesting addition, but he'll be behind Luke McCaffrey, rookie Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore if McLaurin and Samuel cannot play.

From RotoBaller