Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh props

The Steelers will be forced to utilize backup quarterback Mason Rudolph in this week's contest, which usually means fewer pass attempts and more rushes. This game's line indicates a throwing game script for the Steelers, who are -3-point underdogs. The leading projections forecast Pat Freiermuth to garner 5.1 targets in this game, on average, putting him in the 82nd percentile when it comes to TEs. The Cincinnati Bengals pass defense has given up the highest Adjusted Completion% in the league (82.7%) versus tight ends this year (82.7%). The Bengals safeties grade out as the worst collection of safeties in football this year in covering pass-catchers.

The Cincinnati Bengals may pass less this week (and call more rushes) given that they be forced to start backup QB Jake Browning. Accounting for their underlying strategic approach and matchup dynamics, our trusted projections expect the Cincinnati Bengals to pass on 60.8% of their opportunities: the 6th-greatest frequency among all teams this week. Our trusted projections expect Tee Higgins to notch 8.6 targets in this week's contest, on average, ranking him in the 91st percentile among WRs. While Tee Higgins has earned 18.9% of his offense's targets in games he has played this year, the model projects him to be a more important option in Cincinnati's passing attack in this week's contest at 25.5%.

The Cincinnati Bengals may pass less this week (and call more rushes) given that they be forced to start backup QB Jake Browning. Accounting for their underlying strategic approach and matchup dynamics, our trusted projections expect the Cincinnati Bengals to pass on 60.8% of their opportunities: the 6th-greatest frequency among all teams this week. Our trusted projections expect Tanner Hudson to garner 4.5 targets this week, on balance, putting him in the 76th percentile among TEs. Tanner Hudson's 26.9 WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating—an advanced statistic that measures high-value offensive volume) has been quite a bit better this year than it was last year at 11.7. Tanner Hudson's pass-catching performance been refined this year, accumulating 3.7 adjusted receptions compared to a mere 1.7 last year.

Given their underlying play style and matchup dynamics, the leading projections forecast the Steelers to pass on 53.9% of their chances: the 6th-lowest frequency among all teams this week. The predictive model expects the Steelers to call the 8th-fewest total plays among all teams this week with 63.1 plays, based on their underlying traits and game dynamics. The Pittsburgh Steelers have called the 6th-fewest plays in the league this year, totaling a measly 55.5 plays per game. Jaylen Warren's 82.2% Adjusted Completion Rate this year illustrates a noteworthy reduction in his pass-catching ability over last year's 88.1% mark. The Bengals pass defense has yielded the 8th-lowest Adjusted Completion% in the league (77.1%) to running backs this year (77.1%).

The Cincinnati Bengals may pass less this week (and call more rushes) given that they be forced to start backup QB Jake Browning. Accounting for their underlying strategic approach and matchup dynamics, our trusted projections expect the Cincinnati Bengals to pass on 60.8% of their opportunities: the 6th-greatest frequency among all teams this week. In this contest, Joe Mixon is forecasted by the projections to position himself in the 75th percentile among running backs with 3.9 targets. With a terrific 85.8% Adjusted Completion% (76th percentile) this year, Joe Mixon stands among the most sure-handed receivers in the league when it comes to running backs.

The Steelers will be forced to utilize backup quarterback Mason Rudolph in this week's contest, which usually means fewer pass attempts and more rushes. This game's line indicates a throwing game script for the Steelers, who are -3-point underdogs. The leading projections forecast Diontae Johnson to total 7.2 targets in this game, on average, putting him in the 80th percentile when it comes to WRs. Diontae Johnson's 70.0 WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating—an advanced statistic that measures high-value offensive usage) ranks him among the best in the league: 96th percentile for wideouts. Diontae Johnson checks in as one of the best wide receivers in the league this year, averaging a stellar 4.2 adjusted catches per game while checking in at the 77th percentile.