Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd, 2024, 1:00PM EST
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Network: FOX
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Sit
Last week, Jameis Winston laid his first real fantasy dud since taking over as the Browns starter back in Week 8. He completed 16 of 25 attempts for 146 scoreless yards, with three interceptions and -2 rushing yards on two carries. News broke on Tuesday that Cleveland will not stick with Winston against the Bengals and instead turn to second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The matchup on paper is favorable, as Cincinnati is allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing QBs on the season, but DTR is not all of a sudden going to be fantasy-relevant. Surely, the Browns will be playing to make sure the Bengals don’t have a chance at making the playoffs, but you obviously aren’t going to rely on the Browns’ new signal caller in a single-QB league.
Running Back
Jerome Ford: Start, RB2
We didn’t see Nick Chubb make his season debut until Week 7, and now his season was deemed over in Week 15. He suffered a broken foot in the 21-7 loss to the Chiefs last week, which leaves the door open for Jerome Ford to take on RB1 duties in Cleveland over the next three regular season games. Surely to be a hot waiver add this week if he’s not already rostered, he’ll be facing a Bengals defense that just allowed touchdowns to both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, with Spears having one on the ground and one through the air.
Wide Receiver
Jerry Jeudy: Start, WR2
Elijah Moore: Sit
Cedric Tillman: Sit
The potential fantasy output from the Browns’ WR room is now predicated on how DTR can perform. Last week, Jerry Jeudy caught 11 of 14 targets for 108 yards, but with DTR set to throw him the ball this week, you are going to have to temper expectations. Off volume and target share alone, consider Jeudy a WR2, but don’t be surprised if he lays a stinker.
Cedric Tillman could be back from a concussion that has sidelined him since Week 12, but this offense has turned into the Jeudy show down the stretch, so you don’t need to rush to get Tillman in your lineup if he is active. The same can be said for Elijah Moore, who has been irrelevant the last two weeks.
Tight End
David Njoku: Start if active, low-end TE1
Jordin Akins: Sit
David Njoku was a last-minute inactive for Week 15 due to a hamstring injury, although it felt obvious, considering he was a DNP all week before the game. Stefanski is ‘hopeful’ Njoku is a go this week against a Bengals defense that allows the most points to opposing TEs on the year. If he is active, you can deploy him (even if DTR is under center). Cincinnati just allowed 59 yards on 8 receptions to an otherwise non-existent Chigoziem Okonkwo.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: Start, QB1
Joe Burrow may have thrown for three touchdowns against the Titans, but he also did turn the ball over three times: two interceptions and a fumble. Burrow was caught voicing his frustrations with how the game unfolded, citing it was “embarrassing” the way the offense played. Either way, Cincy got a much-needed win to keep their playoff hopes alive. He enters Week 16 with a 36:8 passing touchdown to interception ratio, with the 36 tosses leading the league, and the Bengals find themselves needing to win out while getting some help along the way to make the playoffs. Look for Burrow to continue to roll against a down-bad Browns team.
Running Back
Chase Brown: Start, RB1
Khalil Herbert: Sit
Chase Brown had another big week, turning 25 carries into 97 yards and a touchdown on the ground, as well as catching all three targets for 16 yards and a score in the win against the Titans. That’s back-to-back weeks with a receiving TD for Brown, and he’ll look to keep rolling as the lead Cincy back. Fire him up as a rock-solid RB1.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: Start, WR1
Tee Higgins: Start, WR2
Ja’Marr Chase, FantasyData’s overall WR1 in full-PPR leagues, is coming off a 9-catch, 94-yard outing against the Titans in which he saw 11 targets. Since Week 8, Chase has a whopping 90 targets and 63 receptions and is as locked in a WR1 as one could be.
Tee Higgins caught five of eight targets for 88 yards and a touchdown last week, and you’ll hope he can continue to offer more week-over-week consistency the rest of the way. He’s set to face a Browns defense allowing the eighth most fantasy points to opposing WRs on the year.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: Sit
Mike Gesicki showed some flashes earlier this season, but in recent weeks, he has been a non-factor in an offense that is dominated by Chase & Brown. Gesicki has failed to find the end zone since Week 9 and won’t be on the streaming radar this week.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)