Sunday Night Fantasy Game Plan: Lock In Burrow, Chase and Higgins, and Think Twice About Rodgers and Metcalf

Sunday night brings the biggest AFC North game of the season so far, with Pittsburgh visiting Cincinnati at 8:20 p.m. Eastern and first place on the line. For fantasy managers it is also the last big chance to make up ground in Week 10, and the Bengals half of this matchup is about as easy a call as you will find all week. The Steelers half takes more thought.

Here is what the Week 10 previews and Friday's injury report say, and how I would set a lineup.

The Bengals: Start Your Stars

Joe Burrow is rolling. He has reeled off six straight top-10 fantasy weeks at quarterback, with top-three finishes in four of his last five games, RotoBaller reported ^[1]. ESPN lists Burrow among its lineup locks for the week, along with running back Chase Brown and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ^[2]. If you have them, play them.

The matchup with Pittsburgh's defense has not talked many analysts out of the Cincinnati passing game. Sports Illustrated noted the Bengals' offense ranks second in the league in points and that Burrow has been well protected, which is why it advises fantasy managers to sit the Steelers' defense this week ^[6].

Chase Brown faces a tougher test on the ground than his teammates do through the air, but ESPN still has him among its locks ^[2], and in a game expected to be close he should see plenty of work. Treat him as a solid RB2.

Do not forget the kicker. Sports Illustrated recommends starting Evan McPherson, noting that Pittsburgh has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season ^[6].

On the injury front, Cincinnati ruled out safety Kyle Dugger with a quadriceps injury on Friday, Steelers Depot reported ^[5]. Receiver Andrei Iosivas (thumb), guard Brian Parker II (knee) and cornerback Jalen Davis (hamstring) are listed as doubtful, and all three are coming back from injured reserve, with the Bengals not expected to decide on activating them until Saturday ^[5]. Guard Dylan Fairchild is good to go ^[5]. Losing Dugger thins the Cincinnati secondary, a small bump on paper for Pittsburgh's pass catchers, and Iosivas' status means deep-league managers should not count on him.

The Steelers: Proceed With Care

Aaron Rodgers is the toughest sell. ESPN ranks him as only the QB19 for the week ^[2], and FantasyLife lists him as a sit ^[3]. Unless you play in a two-quarterback or superflex league, there are better streaming options on the waiver wire.

Related Week 10 Fantasy Fallout: The Texans Lose Hunter and Al-Shaair, the Rams Run Thin in Arizona, and the Lineup Moves to Make

Jaylen Warren is the safest Pittsburgh play. ESPN lists him among its lineup locks and projects him for 15.5 points, good for RB11 on its board ^[2]. Start him with confidence.

DK Metcalf is where the experts split. FantasyLife has him as a start at WR20 ^[3], while FantasyPros says to sit him, pointing out that Cincinnati cornerback DJ Turner is expected to follow him around the field ^[4]. ESPN projects Metcalf for 11.2 points ^[2]. My read: he belongs in the flex, not in your WR2 slot, unless your roster is thin.

Receiver Germie Bernard and running back Rico Dowdle show up as low-end flex options, depending on which preview you read ^[3][4]. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is a sit in most previews, though FantasyLife names him as a sleeper ^[3]. If you are streaming tight ends, he is a dart throw, not a plan.

The Projections

The projection models see a tight game. ESPN has the Bengals winning 24-23 ^[2], and FantasyLife's model has Cincinnati 26-24 ^[3]. Close games tend to keep both offenses throwing late, which is good news for the receivers on both sides and one more reason to trust Chase and Higgins.

Abby's Bottom Line

Start: Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Chase Brown, Warren and McPherson.

Flex: Metcalf, with Bernard and Dowdle as deeper-league fill-ins.

Sit: Rodgers outside of superflex leagues, Freiermuth unless you are desperate, and the Steelers' defense.

One last piece of advice for Sunday night games: check the inactive list before you lock in, and keep an eye on any travel news on Saturday. Then enjoy the game. Whatever happens with your lineup, this is a rivalry worth watching for its own sake.

If you want more fantasy this weekend without spending a dime, the free Liberty Bell Fantasy games are open now at /fantasy.