2025 Steelers Week 11 Fantasy Football Recap - Gainwell and Washington Make Their Gains

In a pivotal AFC North showdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers overcame injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and delivered a commanding 34–12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, improving their record to 6–4.

The classic “next man up” mantra defined this matchup, as Pittsburgh’s depth proved decisive. Backups not only stepped into the spotlight but also elevated their fantasy value for the week, turning what could have been a setback into a statement win.

Offensive Fantasy Movers -

RB Kenneth Gainwell

No Steeler delivered a bigger performance on Sunday than backup running back Kenneth Gainwell. With starter Jaylen Warren sidelined by an ankle injury, Gainwell seized the opportunity and became the focal point of the offense. He finished with 105 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, cementing himself as the most impactful player on Pittsburgh’s attack.

After a few weeks of declining fantasy value, Gainwell surged back into relevance, climbing 11 spots to RB25 with 108.8 fantasy points on the season.

RB Jaylen Warren

Before exiting with an ankle injury, Jaylen Warren once again carried the Steelers’ offense. He posted 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and added 5 receiving yards on two catches. Despite the setback, Warren holds steady at RB20 with 118.5 fantasy points this week.

QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers’ recent struggles with accuracy and efficiency continued, leading to a dip in overall production. Before leaving late in the second quarter with a wrist injury, Rodgers managed 116 passing yards on nine completions, including a touchdown strike to Gainwell. Even with the inconsistency, Rodgers maintains his ranking at QB17.

QB Mason Rudolph

Making his season debut, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped in for Rodgers and delivered a poised performance. The veteran completed 12 passes (75% completion rate) for 127 yards and one touchdown, showcasing his reliability under pressure. Rudolph enters the fantasy radar at QB48 with 9.5 points.

📈 Other Notable Offensive Movers

Defensive Fantasy Movers -

LB Nick Herbig

Week 11 marked the second consecutive game in which Nick Herbig recorded a sack—Pittsburgh’s only one of the contest. He also added a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit, showcasing his growing impact on the defense. Herbig holds steady at LB38 with 71.6 fantasy points this week.

LB T.J. Watt

Calling this a down season for the All-Pro linebacker might be an understatement. After posting a sack in Week 10 against the Chargers, Watt was held without one in Week 11. Still, he contributed with a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and two pass deflections. Watt slides down three spots to LB14 with 87.1 fantasy points.

CB James Pierre

Though he remains outside the top 100, James Pierre delivered one of the most impactful defensive performances of the week. Filling in for veteran Darius Slay Jr., Pierre tallied six tackles, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. His breakout showing mirrors Kenneth Gainwell’s offensive spark, proving his value even without a fantasy ranking boost.

📈 Other Notable Defensive Movers

Start or Bench For Week 12 -

Start - QB Mason Rudolph, LB Nick Herbig, TE Darnell Washington, WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, RB Jaylen Warren, RB Kenneth Gainwell, WR D.K Metcalf, LB TJ Watt, and DL Keeanu Benton.

Bench - QB Aaron Rodgers (injury), LB Alex Highsmith, LB Patrick Queen, TE Jonnu Smith, DL Derrick Harmon, CB Darius Slay Jr., DL Cam Heyward, WR Calvin Austin III.