Thursday Night Football pits Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers against Joe Flacco and the Bengals in a battle of veteran precision. Cincinnati rode a 2-0 start with Joe Burrow before a turf-toe injury derailed the season, triggering a four-game skid under Flacco after trading for him. Pittsburgh sits 4-1, the AFC North’s lone winning team through Week 7, and could open a bigger gap with a win in Cincinnati.

Rodgers vs Flacco adds a rare old‑school flavor to prime time. Rodgers owns a 3-0 edge in their career, and this matchup features a mix of aging mastery and midseason adjustments as both offenses navigate injuries. The latest odds lean Steelers (-5.5, 43.5) with key injuries shaping target share for Pittsburgh and Cincinnati’s pass game, including questionable Darius Slay and Gesicki OUT for Cincinnati. Paycor Stadium hosts the showdown on Thursday night.

Killebrew suffered a serious knee injury on a Browns kickoff in Week 6, leaving the field on a cart after planting hard on his right leg. The Steelers announced he’ll miss the rest of the game, a blow to a veteran special-teams captain who has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past two seasons. With him out, Pittsburgh must lean on Peppers and a practice-squad pool to shoulder heavy ST duties, testing depth as the season advances. This setback heightens the urgency to stabilize kickoff and punt coverage against upcoming opponents and could shift fantasy return-room dynamics.

Denver Broncos land in London for a week of fan events, a flag-football clinic, and a Sunday tilt with the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Miles the mascot may temporarily become Kilometers as the club leans into a worldwide outreach, with more than 1,200 fans already signed up for the weekend activities. Owner Carrie Walton-Penner and president Damani Leech stress a football-first, fan-centric mission that spans the U.K., Ireland, Europe and even Mexico.

DeShon Elliott's knee injury in Week 1 vs. New York Jets leaves Pittsburgh with a thinner safety room as the Steelers lean on Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark to lead the back end. Jalen Ramsey may slide between corner and safety, with Brandin Echols stepping into a larger role if needed. Rookie Derrick Harmon and Nick Herbig were sidelined, forcing creative package adjustments and a likely shift in coverage schemes early in the season.

Fantasy and betting angles hinge on how Pittsburgh reshapes its safety pairings. Thornhill’s workload could rise, Ramsey’s versatility becomes even more valuable, and Echols’ snap count could surge in coverage alignments. The Steelers need to stay aggressive, but depth will be tested as Elliott’s absence narrows the safety closet and invites tactical tweaks from the coaching staff.

Aaron Rodgers is Steelers offensive captain for 2025, joining Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt as defensive captains, with Miles Killebrew leading special teams. Voted by players, coach Mike Tomlin keeps the captain count tight. Rodgers carries his 15th captaincy into Pittsburgh, Heyward his 11th straight, Watt his 5th, and Killebrew as ST chief. The leadership quartet signals a veteran-driven season plan and a culture shift toward accountability on all phases.

Fantasy angle: Rodgers’ presence suggests a stabilized, more efficient offense, potentially lifting passing floor and target shares for Steelers receivers. Heyward-Watt anchor a stout defense, while Killebrew’s ST leadership could influence field position. Managers should monitor how camp reports shape usage and opportunity across the offense, defense, and special teams, as leadership often translates into steadier weekly scoring.

Overall, the 2025 Steelers appear set to lean on a high-IQ leadership core, with Rodgers steering the offense, Heyward and Watt commanding defense, and Killebrew driving special teams energy. The dynamic could elevate the floor for several fantasy pieces while preserving upside for big-play opportunities on both sides of the ball.