Welcome to Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season. Thursday Night Football brings one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries into the spotlight as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns in a matchup that carries early AFC North significance. Both teams enter Week 4 at 2-1, and the winner will move into sole possession of first place in the division entering Week 5. 

This article breaks down the key DFS plays, potential values, game-script considerations, and players to approach with caution as we look for the best ways to build competitive lineups for Thursday night.

 

 

 

Steelers vs. Browns DFS Picks & Preview: Thursday Night Football, 10/1

Pittsburgh comes into Cleveland with some offensive momentum after beating Cincinnati 30-27 last Sunday. Aaron Rodgers delivered his strongest performance of the season, throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while Jaylen Warren erupted for 127 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards. With Rico Dowdle ruled out again because of a toe injury, Warren is expected to handle a significant workload Thursday night. 

The challenge for Pittsburgh will be dealing with a Cleveland defense that has generated pressure at a high rate. The Browns have the league's second-highest quarterback pressure rate at 42.2%, with defensive tackle Mason Graham already recording four sacks through three games. Pittsburgh's offensive line will have to keep Rodgers clean while also giving the Steelers enough balance to prevent Cleveland from simply attacking the passing game. 

Cleveland, meanwhile, has quietly opened the season 2-1 after winning just five games all of last season. Deshaun Watson has played better over the Browns' past two victories, combining for 382 passing yards and four touchdowns without an interception during that stretch. He's also been a factor as a runner, making his mobility an important part of how Cleveland can attack Pittsburgh's defense. 

The Browns will have to account for some important absences up front. Center Elgton Jenkins, guard Teven Jenkins and receiver Tylan Wallace have all been ruled out. Luke Wypler is expected to start at center, putting additional attention on Cleveland's offensive line against a Pittsburgh front led by T.J. Watt. Watt has 17.5 career sacks in 15 games against Cleveland, while Alex Highsmith has 11.5 in 11 meetings. 

The secondary is another storyline to watch. Pittsburgh will be without Joey Porter after moving him to Dallas, while Jalen Ramsey is questionable with a wrist injury. Cleveland also enters the game without Wallace, although several defensive players listed on the injury report were able to practice Wednesday. 

Ultimately, the matchup sets up as a battle between Pittsburgh's veteran-led offense and Cleveland's pressure-oriented defense, with the Browns looking to make Watson's improved play sustainable against an experienced Steelers defense. On a short week, turnovers, protection, and the ability to establish the run could go a long way toward determining which team leaves Cleveland atop the AFC North.

 

 

 

Steelers vs. Browns TNF Odds 

  • Spread:
    • Steelers -2.5 (-120)
    • Browns +2.5 (+100)
  • Money Line:
    • Steelers (-148)
    • Browns (+124)
  • Game Total:
    • Over 38.5 (-105)
    • Under 38.5 (-115)
 

 

NFL Weather: Steelers vs. Browns TNF, October 1st

Weather conditions for Thursday night’s Steelers-Browns matchup in Cleveland should be relatively mild, with temperatures around 75°F at kickoff and gradually falling into the low 70s during the game. Skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain showers and southwest winds generally around 6-10 mph.

Steelers vs. Browns Injuries: Thursday Night Football Week 4

The Steelers enter Thursday night with several notable injuries, particularly in the secondary. Jalen Ramsey is questionable with a wrist injury after being limited throughout the week. Ramsey said he broke his wrist against Cincinnati but hopes to play if he can protect it effectively. Brandin Echols is also questionable after dealing with a concussion, while running back Rico Dowdle is out with a toe injury for the second straight game. 

Cleveland will also be missing three players. Center Elgton Jenkins is out with a concussion, guard Teven Jenkins is out with a back injury, and wide receiver Tylan Wallace is out with a knee injury. Elgton Jenkins' absence is particularly notable because Cleveland is expected to turn to Luke Wypler at center.

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: MVP/Captain

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - DraftKings: $9,600 | FanDuel: $11,400

With Rico Dowdle officially ruled out with a toe injury, Warren is expected to handle the bulk of Pittsburgh's backfield work for the second straight week. He dominated Cincinnati in Week 3 with 17 carries for 127 yards and 3 receptions for 49 yards. 

Cleveland is allowing 120.3 rushing yards per game, while Warren enters Thursday averaging 5.7 yards per carry with 216 rushing yards through three games. The main risk is that Cleveland's defense has been stingy in the red zone, but Warren's expected workload makes him the top overall option on the slate.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns - DraftKings: $9,400 | FanDuel: $11,800

Against Carolina last week, Watson threw for just 144 yards and two touchdowns, but added 45 rushing yards and a two-point conversion. His recent touchdown and rushing production give him a path to another solid performance, while Pittsburgh's pressure and Cleveland's conservative passing approach create a relatively low floor. 

The matchup with Pittsburgh is considerably tougher than what Watson saw last week. The Steelers have allowed only 192.7 net passing yards per game and have recorded three interceptions through three weeks. Watson's rushing ability gives him a useful fantasy floor, even if the matchup might limit the ceiling. 

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $9,800 | FanDuel: $12,600

Against Cincinnati in Week 3, Rodgers completed 33 of 59 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Through three games, he has 700 passing yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Cleveland has allowed six passing touchdowns through three games, and Rodgers showed last week that Pittsburgh's passing attack can create explosive plays after struggling to connect downfield in the first two weeks. 

Rodgers has legitimate upside after his Week 3 breakout, but his lack of rushing production and the Browns' ability to pressure the quarterback make him a relatively volatile option.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns – DraftKings: $8,800 | FanDuel: $10,200

Through three games, Judkins has 42 carries for 124 yards and nine receptions for 53 yards. He is coming off his best performance of the season, rushing for 70 yards against Carolina. He has also handled 60% of Cleveland's red-zone rushing attempts, giving him some touchdown upside despite not having scored yet. 

Pittsburgh is allowing 113 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry, but the Steelers have surrendered only one rushing touchdown through three games and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. That makes Judkins' workload encouraging, but his efficiency and touchdown production remain concerns.

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Core Plays

DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $9,000 | FanDuel: $10,800

Metcalf leads Pittsburgh with 24 targets through three games, but has only 11 receptions for 152 yards. He finally found the end zone last week against Cincinnati, catching 3 of 5 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown. 

The Browns have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and receivers have scored against them in each of their first three games. Metcalf should continue to see plenty of opportunities as Pittsburgh's primary outside receiver. 

Harold Fannin, TE, Cleveland Browns – DraftKings: $7,400 | FanDuel: $9,400

After a quiet Week 1, Fannin has posted 5-54 and 7-51-2 receiving lines over the past two games, while seeing 15 targets during that span. His nine targets and two touchdowns against Carolina last week were both season highs, and he now has 14 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns through three games.

The matchup with Pittsburgh is somewhat challenging but not prohibitive. The Steelers have allowed opposing tight ends to combine for 10 catches, 120 yards, and a touchdown on 14 targets through three games.

Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns – DraftKings: $8,000 | FanDuel: $8,200

Through three games, Boston has 9 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 21.7 yards per reception. His first two games were particularly encouraging, as he combined for seven catches, 154 yards, and two touchdowns. However, his Week 3 production dropped to just 2 catches for 41 yards on four targets against Carolina.

The rookie's downfield production means he doesn't need a huge target total to produce a strong fantasy day, but the inconsistent volume is concerning. He has received four or fewer targets in two of his first three games, which makes him a volatile option on Thursday. 

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Mid-Tier Plays

KC Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns – DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $5,800

Concepcion has 12 catches for 80 yards through three games and has seen 20 targets, including a season-high nine against Carolina last week. The problem is that the volume hasn't translated into production. He managed just 2 catches for 9 yards in Week 3 and has yet to score a touchdown. 

Still, his target involvement gives him a path to production, particularly if Cleveland falls behind and has to throw more frequently. His recent nine-target game shows the upside, but his 9-yard Week 3 performance shows how volatile his production can be.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $5,600 | FanDuel: $7,200

Through three games, Freiermuth has caught 11 of 14 targets for 108 yards and one touchdown, but his production has been inconsistent. After scoring in Week 1, he has managed just 4-32 in Week 2 and 2-30 in Week 3.

The bigger concern is Freiermuth's playing time, as his snap share has declined in each of the past two games after playing 73% of snaps in Week 1. Darnell Washington actually played more snaps than he did last week against Cincinnati, with Freiermuth seeing the field on 60% of snaps. 

Michael Pittman, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $7,000 | FanDuel: $7,600

Pittman returned from a foot injury in Week 3 but managed just 2 catches for 16 yards on five targets against Cincinnati. Through his two games this season, Pittman has only five catches for 74 yards, so his production has been well below expectations. 

The biggest question is whether Pittman and Rodgers can get on the same page. Pittman had several opportunities last week but wasn't able to turn them into meaningful production, while Metcalf and Roman Wilson both remain capable of taking targets away. 

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Value Plays

Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $8,400

Wilson has received exactly six targets in each of Pittsburgh's first three games, catching 11 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. In Week 3, he hauled in three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati. It was his most productive game of the season and showed the big-play upside he brings to Pittsburgh's passing attack. 

Wilson played only 39% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps last week and lost snaps late in the game after a drop contributed to an interception. With Metcalf and Pittman also competing for targets, Wilson's six targets aren't necessarily enough to provide a reliable fantasy floor.

Darnell Washington, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers – DraftKings: $3,600 | FanDuel: $5,400

Washington broke out for 3 catches and 67 yards on four targets against Cincinnati in Week 3, including a 47-yard reception. More importantly, Washington played 47 of Pittsburgh's 62 offensive snaps (76%), significantly ahead of Pat Freiermuth's 37 snaps. He has now caught 6 of 8 targets for 92 yards this season.

Washington's eight targets through three games aren't enough to establish a reliable fantasy floor, but the increased playing time is certainly noteworthy. He is a volatile value option with upside on Thursday. 

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns – DraftKings: $3,000 | FanDuel: $3,800

Jeudy has just 2 receptions for 26 yards on five targets through three games, and, most concerningly, he has failed to catch a pass in each of Cleveland's last two victories. He was not even targeted in Week 3 against Carolina.

The veteran wideout's snap share has fallen from 63% in Week 1 to 51% in Week 3, and it appears rookies Boston and Concepcion are ahead of him in 2-WR sets. Jeudy is nothing more than a deep tournament flier, but perhaps the absence of Wallace gets him on the field a touch more. 

 

 

 

TNF DFS Picks: Kickers & D/ST

Chris Boswell went 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points against Cincinnati, scoring 13 fantasy points. The field goals came from 33, 36, and 44 yards, showing that Pittsburgh will continue to rely on him when drives stall. He's an elite mid-range option on this slate considering the expected low-scoring game environment. 

Andre Szmyt has been perfect on field goals this season, converting all six attempts, and he has made all four of his extra-point attempts. He has also already demonstrated significant fantasy upside, scoring 13 points against Tampa Bay in Week 2 and 9 points against Carolina last week. He should come in lower-owned than Boswell and offers similar upside. 

The Browns rank near the bottom of the league in both rushing and passing offense, and their offensive line is dealing with injuries to Teven Jenkins and Elgton Jenkins. The Pittsburgh D/ST also enters with strong turnover and third-down numbers, giving them multiple paths to fantasy production.

Pittsburgh's offense has been productive enough to create some concern, but Cleveland's D/ST has generated pressure at a top-five rate, and that is particularly relevant against Rodgers. The Browns have also recorded strong sack production despite blitzing at a below-average rate. The downside is that Pittsburgh has scored 30 points in each of its last two games, so Cleveland's D/ST isn't a completely safe play. 

 

 

 

Steelers vs. Browns DFS Player Pool: TNF, 10/1

Player Pool

$ Tier {{pos.alias}}

Stacks

{{stack.team.name}} {{player.name}}
DraftKings {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}-
Fanduel {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}-