Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 26 at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Betting Odds: CIN -3, 45 Total on Oddshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Drew DeLuca (@DrewDeLaware on Twitter)
Baltimore Ravens
QUARTERBACKS
Lamar Jackson (Sit*), Tyler Huntley (Sit)
As of Wednesday night, Lamar Jackson had yet to log any practice time; this doesn’t bode well for his chances to start under center for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. His stunt double, Tyler Huntley, has been logging all of the first-team reps in hopes of an encore performance as last week’s overall QB1 in fantasy football.
Keep an eye on the situation to see how it unfolds over the next few days*, but we’ll be surprised if Jackson plays on Sunday. We’ll be flat-out floored if he plays exceptionally well if playing while hobbled, given how strongly his fantasy value is tied to his rushing production. Meanwhile, opposing defenses are starting to compile film on Huntley, so we don’t expect the Utah product to continue shredding opposing defenses at the same high level.
Since their Week 10 bye, a Bengals pass defense that was once thrashed by the immortal Mike White has circled the wagons. Only Justin Herbert has thrown for more than 300 yards since, and no one else has come close, save for overtime (Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 223 yards in regulation two weeks ago) or garbage time (99 of Ben Roethlisberger’s 263 passing yards came in the last 5 minutes of a 41-10 laugher).
It’s absolutely within the realm of possibilities that either logs a Top 12 finish this week as a starter. However, a finish in the QB15 range is more likely for whichever of this duo — a fully-healthy Huntley or a slightly gimpy Jackson — lines up under center this week. Reach for a stronger, more stable option, if possible.
RUNNING BACKS
Devonta Freeman (Start, RB2), Latavius Murray (Sit), Ty’Son Williams (Sit)
Devonta Freeman has clearly established himself as the alpha in the Ravens backfield: since Week 2 ended, Ravens running backs have posted six games with 50 yards or more rushing yards, and Freeman is responsible for five of them. Far from the sexiest option around, Freeman has been the RB13 in terms of total fantasy points by a running back since the start of Week 9. We see him more as a low-end RB2 this week, however; only five teams have allowed fewer total touchdowns (rushing and receiving) over the past three weeks.
We don’t see Latavius Murray getting enough volume to be a worthwhile fantasy asset this week, and Ty’Son Williams has been a relative non-factor since Week 2. We can’t recommend letting either anywhere near your starting lineup, especially with the playoffs on the line.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Marquise Brown (Start, WR2), Rashod Bateman (Sit), Sammy Watkins (Sit, COVID), Devin Duvernay (Sit), James Proche (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start)
Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman draw favorable WR/CB matchups against Trae Waynes and Eli Apple, respectively. We expect Brown to continue drawing plenty of targets, so he should capitalize on his mismatch, but we’re concerned about Bateman’s inconsistent volume. The rookie from Minnesota could post flex-worthy numbers, but chances are you have better options to choose from, either on your roster or the waiver wire.
Devin Duvernay and James Proche haven’t been fantasy-relevant this season, and we don’t see that changing this week. Meanwhile, Sammy Watkins is currently on the COVID list, but he hasn’t done much when he’s been off of it. Avoid this trio when setting your playoff lineups this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
QUARTERBACKS
Joe Burrow (Start)
Over the past three weeks, only the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals have allowed more passing touchdowns than the Baltimore Ravens. This is good news for Joe Burrow and a struggling Bengals offense that seemed to find its mojo on a 56-yard touchdown to the always steady, often overlooked Tyler Boyd. Factor in the personnel issues facing the Ravens secondary (outlined below), and we’re starting the former LSU Tiger with confidence this week.
RUNNING BACKS
Joe Mixon (Start, Flex), Samaje Perine (Sit)
Only five teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Ravens over the last three weeks, which isn’t an ideal situation for Joe Mixon to limp into. Mixon tweaked his ankle this past Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but he practiced on Wednesday, allowing his fantasy managers to breathe sighs of relief while keeping playoff dreams alive.
Mixon was the overall RB2 in Weeks 9 through 12, but he has fallen on comparatively hard times recently. Since Week 13, Mixon is the RB35 among players at the position who have played at least two games. This caveat excludes one-hit wonders like Derrick Gore and Duke Johnson; otherwise, the resulting finish would be even worse.
Basically, Mixon has been barely flex-worthy over the past few weeks, and now he’s playing hurt. It is with great hesitancy that we recommend him as a flex option this week. Samaje Perine has flashed at times, but he won’t command the prerequisite volume to be a fantasy factor in this one. He should be left on benches or waiver wires this week.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR1), Tee Higgins (Start, WR1), Tyler Boyd (Start, Flex), C. J. Uzomah (Sit)
The COVID list currently features key members of the Ravens secondary, including starting strong safety Chuck Clark and cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Chris Westry. If the latter two aren’t cleared in time for Sunday’s game, Ja’Marr Chase should draw nickelback-miscast-as-third-string corner Tavon Young.
Meanwhile, Tee Higgins boasts a five-inch height advantage over Ravens defensive back Anthony Averett, who should line up opposite the former Clemson Tiger most of the time. Tyler Boyd would then face off against Kevon Seymour, who has allowed a very generous 75 percent catch rate to opposing receivers so far this season. Add it all up, and we’re bullish on all three Bengals wide receivers this week, slightly less so if Smith and Westry are cleared.
We’re not as high on C.J. Uzomah, even though the 28-year-old tight end has exceeded expectations in recent weeks. The Ravens were one of the league’s worst at covering tight ends at the outset of the season, but have since buttoned up their interior defense over the past three weeks, finishing middle of the pack (18th) in fantasy points allowed to the position in Weeks 12 through 15.