Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: FOX
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: START, QB1
For just the second time since he took over as the starter, Jacoby Brissett failed to throw for multiple touchdowns against the Falcons. He’s still an easy start against the Bengals, who allow the fourth-most points to the position and just let Quinn Ewers throw for 260 yards.
Running Back
Michael Carter: FLEX, RB3
Emari Demercado: SIT
Michael Carter had a quiet day fantasy-wise, but had a positive performance overall. He handled just 11 carries, but made the most of them, averaging nearly 6 yards per carry for 65 rushing yards. He was unable to come down with either of his two targets, but he is the only Cardinals running back you should consider for fantasy. Emrari Demercado had five carries and one target, but is entirely off the fantasy radar. Carter is a high-end flex against the Bengals, who are the best fantasy matchup possible for running backs.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.: START, WR3
Michael Wilson: START, WR3
Xavier Weaver: SIT
Both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson saw three targets each, but it was Wilson who came down with the touchdown. The 32-yard score saved an otherwise pedestrian day, and with MHJ expected to play again, it’s a bit tricky to predict how the target share will be divided out. The Bengals allow the fewest points to the position, slotting Marv and Michael in as WR3s.
Tight End
Trey McBride: START, TE1
Trey McBride is an automatic start in all formats, but did you know that he once delivered a gift no one saw coming in his final college game? As the star tight end for Colorado State, he took the direct snap on a fake punt and sprinted 69 yards for a touchdown, proving he has the open-field speed to take it to the house from literally anywhere on the field.
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona Cardinals: SIT
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START, QB1
Joe Burrow bounced back bigly, throwing for not one … not two … not three … but four touchdowns against the Dolphins. Two of which went to Chase Brown, whose name you can add to the short list of players who’ve scored three touchdowns in a game this season. Joe Shiesty is once again looking fiesty (I’m so sorry) and an auto-start regardless of matchup. But he should have another multi-touchdown performance against Arizona, which has given up nine touchdowns to quarterbacks in its last three games.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB1
Samaje Perine: SIT
Remember just a blurb ago when I mentioned Chase Brown was one of a few players to score three touchdowns in a single game this season? Brown is the only one who did it all in one quarter, all three in the third quarter, catching two and running in one. Brown has averaged over 20 points per game since Week 8 and is set up to do so once again, as Arizona is allowing the second-most points to the position this season.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR2
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
Ja’Marr Chase is an automatic start in all formats, but did you know last year he turned a local gym into a winter wonderland for the holidays? In December 2024, he surprised 100 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati with a massive holiday giveaway, personally handing out new winter coats, toys, and cold-weather essentials to ensure every child stayed warm and happy. Tee Higgins returned from his second concussion and scored his fourth touchdown in as many starts. With Burrow under center, Higgins is back to weekly borderline WR1 status.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: tHe gLoB
tHe gLoB:/ðə ɡlɑb/: A uniform grouping of tight ends defined by predictable, yet limited, statistical baselines. Constituents of this collective generally record a weekly volume of three to five receptions totaling 30 to 40 yards. Consequently, their utility as fantasy starters is entirely dependent on unpredictable touchdown efficiency to surpass the 10-point barrier.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
No.