Bengals face a must-win Thursday at Paycor to halt a four-game skid and narrow a 2.5-game gap to the Steelers in a crowded AFC North. Cincinnati leans on a one-week-at-a-time mindset, with coaches stressing urgency and the need for a sharp game plan to spark the offense behind Joe Flacco. A victory would spark real division hope and refine early-season fantasy projections as the schedule tightens.

The matchup carries outsized fantasy potential: decisive plays could redefine snap counts and target shares, while a rebound win would boost confidence in players who have underperformed. The Steelers’ 4-1 start amplifies the stakes, making Thursday a focal point for fantasy managers eyeing post-bye momentum and shot-clock precision in Week 8.

Tomlin publicly challenged the Browns’ midseason Joe Flacco trade to Cincinnati, questioning Andrew Berry’s judgment as Pittsburgh prepares for a primetime visit to the Bengals. Cleveland shifts to Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders behind a rookie QB room while Cincinnati adds Flacco to stabilize the offense. Tomlin lauds Flacco’s arm and vision, hinting at an elevated Cincinnati ceiling, even as the Steelers eye a pivotal AFC North matchup.

Cincinnati dropped its fourth straight, 27-18 to Green Bay, and the offense looked steadier with Joe Flacco than with Jake Browning. The spark wasn’t enough to flip the season, as misfires and stalled drives lingered.

Ja'Marr Chase revealed he changed a call at the line to counter a jumpy defense, turning a crunch moment into a highlight. The admission underscores questions about Cincinnati’s play-calling and the direction of the head coach.

With a Thursday visit from Pittsburgh and a shrinking divisional outlook, the Bengals face a pressure-filled path to relevance, making Week 7 a must-win for Zac Taylor and company.