Cincinnati Bengals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki hasn't been the most reliable fantasy option throughout the 2024-25 campaign. To be fair, he's had some productive outings, although they have been few and far between. However, the 29-year-old is coming off a potent performance, catching 10 of his 12 targets for 86 yards in the Week 17 overtime win over the Denver Broncos. With the Bengals looking to secure a spot in the postseason, Gesicki could remain more involved than normal, especially if Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) and Chase Brown (ankle) don't suit up. Yet, if either of those guys play, Gesicki's ceiling will come crashing down heading into the Week 18 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been a top fantasy option all year, leading all wideouts in catches (117), yards (1,612), and touchdowns (16). With Cincinnati still alive for the postseason, the former LSU Tiger will need to be at his best in Week 18 versus the Steelers. Chase played well enough when the Bengals met the Steelers on December 1, catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Granted, it wasn't his best performance. However, Chase may need to see more targets this time around, especially if Tee Higgins (knee, ankle), who is questionable, doesn't suit up. But even if Higgins is on the field, Chase is a must-start, obviously. He's also worth considering for all DFS contests, despite his hefty rostering cost.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist, knee) was limited during practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, he's was a full participant in Friday's session. The Bengals still have a chance to make the playoffs, so it would have taken a lot to keep the signal-caller off the field in Week 18 against the Steelers. While some other things need to happen that are outside of the team's control regarding their postseason chances, Burrow will do all he can to pick up another win. Without question, he's been an MVP-caliber quarterback all year, leading the league in passing yards (4,641). Burrow also ranks first in touchdowns (42), with the former LSU Tiger tossing at least three of them in each of his previous eight games. While there's a chance Chase Brown (ankle) and Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) won't be in uniform on Saturday night, Burrow remains a top fantasy option for the remaining redraft participants as well as DFS managers.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle/knee) is officially listed as questionable to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Higgins turned in limited practices all week due to ankle and knee injuries. However, the former second-round pick was listed as questionable last week and delivered a three-touchdown performance. If the 25-year-old is active on Saturday, he's a clear top-10 wide receiver option for fantasy football and DFS purposes. If he cannot go, No. 3 wide receiver Andrei Iosivas could be a strong value pick in DFS contests.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Zac Taylor said, "We'll see," when asked about Brown's status this weekend. Brown will almost certainly be listed as questionable on Thursday's final injury report after he did not practice all week following a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 17 victory over the Denver Broncos last Saturday. The 24-year-old has been a top-12 fantasy RB this year, but anyone still playing for something in redraft leagues might have to look elsewhere at the position this week. If active, Brown could cede more work to backup Khalil Herbert and could be less productive in a tough matchup on the road against one of the better defenses in the NFL. Herbert will have RB2 upside on volume alone if Brown is ruled out.