Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Network: CBS
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START, QB1
What a difference two weeks can make. Joe Burrow looked in mid-season form against the Ravens in Week 13, but their Week 15 matchup was quite different. Burrow completed just 25 of his 39 pass attempts, throwing two interceptions and failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season. There’s been some off-the-field stuff swirling around that Burrow may not be happy as a Bengal, but only he and the team know the real story behind the scenes. It was announced he’ll remain the starter for the rest of the season, and I have zero qualms about firing him right back up in the fantasy semifinals against Miami. The Dolphins allowed multiple touchdown passes to Tyler Shough and Ayahuasca Rodgers recently and are a top-12 fantasy matchup for quarterbacks.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB1
Samaje Perine: SIT
Tahj Brooks: SIT
Chase Brown continues to be one of the most consistent running backs in the second half of the season, surpassing 20 touches for the fourth time in five games and scoring 15 or more points in his seventh straight. He’s the rare bellowback in the Bengals backfield, even in a less-than-stellar matchup against the Dolphins, and is locked in as a back-end RB1.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR2 *Still in concussion protocol at time of writing*
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
His BFF Joe may have had a disappointing day, but Ja’Marr Chase was just fine, catching 10 passes (on 16 targets!) for 132 yards, scoring 23.2 fantasy points. It was Chase’s first 20+ point game since Week 8, and he likely got a couple of extra targets with Tee Higgins out due to a second concussion. Higgins was practicing in a limited fashion at the time of writing, but was still in concussion protocol. Chase is a matchup-proof WR1, but the Dolphins have actually been a difficult matchup for receivers and could cap Higgins’ upside if he’s able to return. Even if he can’t, Andrei Iosivas hasn’t been able to capitalize on the opportunity with Higgins out and is not an option in Week 16.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: STREAMER
Mike Gesicki is like that pizza place your friends all tell you is phenomenal, but every time they bring it to you, it’s awful, and they just keep saying, “idk what happened, it’s never like this.” Gesicki has fooled me before with flashes of brilliance, but he’s been under 10 points in all but his one blowup game two weeks ago in Buffalo. That being said, he’s worthy of streamer status simply because the Dolphins defense has given tight ends plenty of production, allowing the third most points to the position. I would rather look elsewhere, but if you’re desperate, it may be time for you to get down with Gesick-ness! (Shoutout to our guy Brett Ford)
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
Quinn Ewers, Zach Wilson, Zack Morris, I don’t care who’s starting at quarterback for the Dolphins, you’re not starting the Bengals defense.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Quinn Ewers: SIT
Tua Tagovailoa: BENCHED
They did it. They finally did it. News broke Wednesday afternoon that the Dolphins were benching franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, a move that was startling and anticipated all at once. Ewers showed some potential in the preseason, but was mostly meh and a complete unknown. Even in a top-three fantasy matchup, you can’t take the risk starting him in the semifinals.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: : START, RB1
Ollie Gordon II: SIT
Jaylen Wright: SIT
De’Von Achane is a dynamic weapon you need locked into your lineup, but did you know that he delivered the ultimate late Christmas present to Texas A&M fans in the 2021 Orange Bowl? Capping off the holiday season, he erupted for 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, securing the MVP trophy and verifying his superstar status on a national stage.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle: SIT
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: SIT
Malik Washington: SIT
Over the first 10 weeks of the season, Jaylen Waddle was averaging 14.3 fantasy points per game, totaling five touchdowns and ranking fifth with a 2.6 yards per route run (min 50 targets). But since then, his average PPG has dropped to 9.5, and his YPRR is down almost a full yard to 1.9. It’s unfortunate, because the talent is there, but I have a hard time starting Waddle on an anemic offense with the unknown of this guy throwing him the ball:
Tight End
Darren Waller: START, TE1
Darren Waller was the Week 16 belle of the ball, the tight end who got to face the Bengals. But he went from “how can I bench him” to “how can I start him with the news of Tua’s benching. I was already uneasy starting Waller despite his two-touchdown performance on Monday night. You know I know you know I know how delectable of a matchup it is for tight ends, but Waller’s still only playing about 50% of snaps, and Miami is a straight dumpster fire. He’s still startable as a streamer, but the risk factor just went up 10-fold.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins: SIT
The Dolphins defense could be in for a long day if the offense is unable to stay on the field. Miami’s defense isn’t awful, but they’re not on the fantasy radar.