Each week, our staff here at QB List will be previewing all the fantasy-relevant things you should be on the lookout for in this week’s games. Today, we preview all the upcoming action in Week 3 of the Preseason.
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Giants at Bengals
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, August 22nd at 7:00 pm ET
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Betting Odds: CIN -1.5 via Oddsshark
Network: WKRC, WUPA
New York Giants
Still No Saquon
Week 3 of the preseason is usually a dress rehearsal for most teams in the NFL. It is no different for the New York Giants, except for one player. Saquon Barkley. The second-year RB is fully healthy but will not be suiting up at all this preseason. The Giants have had quite the unfortunate offseason on the injury front, so they have decided it is best to not risk their most important player. Since there will be no Saquon we will get an extended look at the backup RB competition. Wayne Gallman, Paul Perkins, Rod Smith, and Jon Hillman all find themselves competing for one spot and as it stands right now the job is still open to any of them. Gallman was the backup in 2018, but last week’s game against the Bears and in his absence all three of the other backs performed well. We all know that this backfield is all Saquon Barkley’s but knowing who comes out on top as his backup is essential to know for handcuffing purposes.
Evan Engram Target Hog
The New York Giants will be fielding one of the most depleted receiving groups in the entire NFL this coming Thursday. After suffering multiple injuries across the offseason the starting offense will likely consist of a group of 3rd and 4th stringers competing for roster spots. The only player worth looking at will be TE Evan Engram. Engram has high expectations going into 2019 after a rocky 2018 season that saw him miss games, drop passes and set career lows in targets, catches, and yards. He will be by far the Giants most competent pass catcher, and with the rest of the starting offense expected to play a few drives, Engram will be heavily featured. It will be good to see if Daniel Jones gets to play with Engram if he looks his way. Eli Manning is the current starter for the Giants but almost every time a QB is taken in the 1st round and is sat behind an aging starter the timer begins for him to take over. The team continuously dismisses the idea of Jones starting in the regular season but desperation changes everything and if the Giants start poorly don’t be surprised to see Jones get the nod. We know Manning loves to throw to Engram, but we aren’t sure if Jones is the same. If the team emphasizes building chemistry between the two it will be good to be able to draft Engram knowing, he will produce regardless of who is at QB.
Cincinnati Bengals
O-Line Injuries
Before this offseason began I had quite high expectations for this Bengals offense but as we approach the start of the regular season I am avoiding it at all costs. The main reason being the Bengals O-line has been decimated by injuries. It began with the injury to 1st round pick Jonah Williams and has just lost starting LT Cordy Glenn to a concussion. Not to mention one of their linemen retired mid-game – yes, mid-game – last week. The Cincinnati coaching staff has yet to name the starting lineup for this week’s game, but have stated that it will be likely to change. Turnover and change on the front line are never good, players need to build chemistry with each other and their QB if they want to be successful. Bengals QB Andy Dalton is an average starter who becomes well below-average when he faces pressure. Unless they pull off a miracle and somehow sort out this line before week 1 of the preseason I would approach each player with a hint of caution.
The Return of Tyler Eifert?
Last week’s game against the Redskins was Tyler Eifert’s first game action since suffering a horrendous ankle injury in week 4 of last season. His only playing time was with the starters until the unit was unceremoniously taken off the field after Andy Dalton threw a pick 6. Although it was limited reps, Eifert looked the same as usual and about as healthy as he could look after a career riddled with so many injuries. He did not record a catch in the game but was targeted in the endzone. This may not seem like much but it is tremendous news for his fantasy stock. What made Eifert so dominant was his nose for the endzone. If he can return to his past form and again become Dalton’s favorite red-zone weapon, he will quickly jump into the conversation for being a fantasy starter. Look out for his usage again this week, if he manages to post a strong showing he could be potentially worth a late-round dart-throw at the TE position.
-Matthew Perri (@MattPerri91)