Kansas City is Week 7’s chalk, a near-certainty lock with the biggest win probability and the broadest path to advance. Broncos sit as the clear next option, while Patriots, Bears and Steelers offer upside but carry risk on the road or with schedule quirks. Only about 13% of eliminator entries remain, making early, decisive usage crucial. The rest of the season unfolds with a mix of safe successors and late-season traps, so prioritizing KC this week is a high-confidence move.

Acrisure Stadium’s playing surface drew swift ire from Steelers and Browns players, who called it dry and unsafe. Broderick Jones described kicking up grass chunks during explosive moves, and Chris Boswell slipped on a late field-goal attempt as the field was slated for replacement. The NFLPA said it will press the league for higher-quality grass and shared maintenance practices league-wide. Miles Killebrew suffered a significant noncontact knee injury, underscoring immediate roster risks, while Cameron Heyward labeled the surface “s---” and Mike Tomlin acknowledged the concerns and planned turf swap. Pitt’s shared stadium usage adds wear, complicating field maintenance ahead of future home games.

Trey Hendrickson headlines Cincinnati’s Week 7 injury news, with a back issue casting doubt on his Thursday night availability. If he’s limited or inactive, the Bengals lean on depth, including Shemar Stewart’s return to fortify the edge rush against Pittsburgh.

Other notes tighten the depth chart: Tanner Hudson is out, Charlie Jones is listed as out, and Lucas Patrick’s status is unclear as Gesicki lands on IR. Joe Burrow’s return chatter continues to swirl. The lineup shifts set the stage for a high-stakes fantasy/DFS Thursday night showdown.

Fantasy takeaway centers on Hendrickson’s status and how Stewart’s snap count could alter the Bengals’ defensive production, while TE targets and interior line play could swing key fantasy winners in a pivotal Week 7 matchup.

Dillon Gabriel endured a brutal NFL baptism in Cleveland’s loss to Pittsburgh, taking 16 hits and six sacks while throwing 221 yards on 29-of-52. The rookie’s start-to-finish poise and clean ball security stand out as a guiding sign for the Browns’ offense. Across four appearances (two starts) he’s delivered 430 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT on 57.3% passing and an NFL-leading 100 OBR, a stat line that hints at a sizable fantasy ceiling if the protection improves. Optimism remains high that the pocket will open and Gabriel can grow into a capable franchise quarterback.