Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 2026, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: CBS
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders: SIT, QB2 (startable in Superflex)
Shedeur Sanders has thrown two touchdowns and seven interceptions since his Week 14 “breakout” against the Titans. He’s a borderline option in Superflex simply due to the lack of viable options with multiple quarterbacks sitting this week.
Running Back
Dylan Sampson: FLEX, RB3
Raheim Sanders: SIT
Trayveon Williams: SIT
Just because the Bengals are the top fantasy matchup for running backs doesn’t make every warm body starting at RB an auto-start. Michael Carter mustered a total of 43 yards as the last man standing in the backfield for a much better offense than the Browns. Dylan Sampson has some flex appeal as the last man standing in Cleveland’s backfield in a phenomenal matchup, but temper your expectations.
Wide Receiver
Jerry Jeudy: SIT
Cedric Tillman: SIT
Isaiah Bond: SIT
The Bengals have allowed just two receivers to score over 10 fantasy points since Week 10, ranking as the fifth-most difficult matchup for wide receivers. Even if Sanders was playing well, none of the receivers are worth playing with a ceiling around 12 points.
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr.
David Njoku
Both of the Browns’ top two tight ends have yet to practice at the time of writing, and with nothing to play for I expect both to be out. Whoever winds up starting for the Browns in their place end doesn’t matter for fantasy purposes.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns: SIT
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START (in Superflex), borderline QB1
I know it may seem counterintuitive to consider Joe Burrow just a borderline start after having his handsome face as the reason I suggest sitting the Browns’ defense. But Cleveland has been a bottom-three matchup for quarterbacks this season, and there is a real possibility with nothing on the line the Bengals starters don’t play the whole game. Joe Brr is has the talent to overcome both the matchup and potentially pulling to put up a QB1 type game, but he’s a bit riskier than normal.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB1
Samaje Perine: FLEX, RB3
Tahj Brooks: SIT
At the time of writing, Chase Brown had missed back-to-back practices due to an illness, and his status was uncertain for Sunday. If he’s active, he’s in your lineup and the Bengals’ starter most likely to play the majority of the game. With or without Brown in the lineup, Samaje Perine is simply a low upside flex who could see some extra work and maybe get into the end zone.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR2
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
We interrupt your normal fun fact programming for Ja’Marr Chase to bring you the following news. Although he’s still a WR1 and should start for your fantasy team, the potential to get pulled from the game early exists and makes all Bengals fantasy options a risky start in Week 18. With the concussion issues Tee Higgins has had as of late, I’d be shocked to see him play more than two quarters. But just like their quarterback, there’s enough talent to put up numbers even on a short day.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: SIT
Mike Gesicki has two games over 10 fantasy points this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: START
