Ravens@Bengals
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 10th at 1:00 pm EST
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Betting Odds: CIN via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Willie Snead
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback:
- Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
Down goes New England! Lamar Jackson is the first QB on the year to beat New England. He completed 17-of-23 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Not to mention, he had 16 rushes for 61 yards and two scores. He simply had his way Sunday night. He could not ask for a better matchup post-Pats than the Bengals to remain locked in the QB1 tier and continue his stellar 2019.
Running Backs:
- Mark Ingram (Start, RB2)
- Gus Edwards (Sit)
Mark Ingram has had a solid first season with the Ravens so far, and he’s poised for another blow-up game incoming against the Bengals. Last week against New England, he rushed for 115 yards on 15 carries and had a touchdown opportunity vultured by Gus Edwards; who isn’t a true start suggestion this week.
The Bengals have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs this season, and look for Ingram to take advantage of that in what should be a lopsided matchup in Baltimore’s favor.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Marquise Brown (Start, FLEX)
- Willie Snead (Sit)
- Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
- Nick Boyle (Sit)
Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown made his return in primetime in Baltimore’s defeat of the Patriots this past week. However, he didn’t have that eventful of a game, catching three of only four targets for 48 yards. Coming off of ankle injury that sidelined him for two games, he did play 58% of snaps. Overall his rookie campaign has been fairly quiet, as he has not been a true fantasy factory since Week 2; though he did find the end zone Week 5 in Pittsburgh. In what should be a more favorable matchup, I would consider Brown a flex option at best.
Willie Snead is a for sure sit, as he has not been fantasy relevant at all this year. Mark Andrews benefits here from a favorable matchup, and should find himself back in the TE1 tier. It is worth noting, that in his past five of six games, he hasn’t cracked 50 yards receiving, and has not scored since Week 4. In Week 6 at home against these same Bengals, he caught six of eight targets for 99 yards. Another Ravens TE is maybe worth keeping an eye on his Nick Boyle, who caught all five of his targets and scored against the Patriots. He’s not a must-add right now, but if Jackson keeps looking his way when Andrews finds himself covered, he could play his way into a dart-throw start.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback:
- Ryan Finley (Sit)
It was a rough 32nd birthday for Andy Dalton, who was delivered the news that he would be benched following the Cincinnati Week 9 bye. It’s been a long time coming, as Dalton has not looked the part of starting quarterback all season. The Bengals overall are not a very good team, and it’s the right time for a change at QB. Enter rookie Ryan Finley, who will make his pro debut against an aggressive Ravens defense. Best of luck to the NC State product, who won’t be on the streaming radar anytime soon.
Running Backs:
- Joe Mixon (Start, RB2/FLEX)
I’ve played to ROI (Return On Investment) often in my Sit/Start coverage for QBL, and Joe Mixon is worthy of discussion. He has not been any bit advertised for where you may have drafted him – see Le’Veon Bell with the Jets – and that’s because of offensive line play, or lack thereof. Mixon did have a strong game before the bye week, running for 66 yards on 17 carries, and four catches on four targets for 11 yards and a score. Look for Finley to rely on Mixon out of the backfield, which factors into my call out of him being my sleeper spotlight candidate.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Tyler Boyd (Start, WR3)
- Alex Erickson (Start, FLEX)
- Auden Tate (Sit)
- A.J. Green* (Sit)
- Tyler Eifert (Start – streamer at best)
Tyler Boyd remains this team’s WR1, but in the fantasy realm, he’s a WR3, especially with a rookie QB starting. His target share has been steady, but the total yardage is not making for great fantasy numbers. He has only scored once (Week 5), and it will be interesting to see his usage with a new signal-caller in Finley. The same can be said for Alex Erickson, who has been the most productive real life and fantasy Bengals receiver in recent weeks. Since his Week 6 breakout, he’s posted 10 or more points in full-PPR formats but hasn’t found the end zone [this season]. Week 7 against the Jags, Erickson caught eight of 14 targets for 137 yards, and Week 8 against the Rams, he hauled in six of seven targets for 97 yards. You could find worse options if you were to consider him for your flex.
At the time of writing, A.J. Green went from being expected to make his season debut on Sunday, to not “feeling right” coming out of walk-throughs Wednesday morning. He is now considered day to day, though I wouldn’t trust starting him even if he’s active. Another sit for me is Auden Tate, who despite having 13 targets his last game against the Rams, has taken a backseat to Erickson.
If you need a tight end this week, I would give Tyler Eifert a look. He saw season-highs Week 8 against the Rams: nine targets, six catches, 74 receiving yards, and 60 total snaps. And that was with Dalton. I would like to think he’d be used as a safety valve for Finley and should be considered as a feasible streaming option.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
I’m faced with a must-win against the top team this week (non-PPR, no flex, start 3WR) – would I be crazy to start Jacobs over Saquon and gamble on a higher ceiling? My other RB is Cook.
Yes, you must start cook and barkley
I’m having a hard time deciding on my flex and QB this week.
For the flex It’s between
Chris Carson, Darren Waller, Allen Robinson or John brown.
QB is either Stafford or Josh Allen
You mentioned Curtis Samuel, Larry Fitz, and Brieda all as starters.
I’m in a 12 team PPR league with 2 flex spots. If you had to choose 2, who would you roll with?