Bengals@Dolphins
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Betting Odds: MIA -1, 46.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Mike Gesicki
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback:
- Andy Dalton (Sit)
If the plan was to try and win games down the stretch – reasons unknown – the move back to Andy Dalton from Ryan Finley worked only once. In a rough game against the Patriots last week, Dalton had four interceptions, one touchdown, and only 151 yards through the air. Even against the Dolphins, Dalton remains on your league’s waiver wire.
Running Backs:
- Joe Mixon (Start, RB2 with RB1 upside)
- Giovani Bernard (Sit)
Who’s been more resurgent than Joe Mixon over the last three weeks? In full-PPR leagues, he’s posted 17.0, 30.60, and most recently 21.60 points; the latter being against the Patriots of all teams. He has two touchdowns through three games as well. The carry count is there (67 total the last three games), and you should feel confident for that production to repeat against Miami. Giovani Bernard is a clear sit.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Tyler Boyd (Start, WR3)
- John Ross III (Sit)
- Alex Erickson (Sit)
- Tyler Eifert (Sit)
- C.J. Uzomah (Sit)
All but one receiver/tight end are sit candidates for Cincinnati this week. Tyler Boyd is the lucky draw, and the only Bengal I would consider starting. He had a rough go Week 15 lined up with New England’s Stephon Gilmore, but look for him to bounce-back against Miami. He’s the clear WR1 for this team ahead of the likes of John Ross III and Alex Erickson.
Tight end Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah are both best left off your team this late in the season.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback:
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (Start, QB2)
If anything else, Ryan Fitzpatrick is having fun out there despite taking L after L. He’s continuing to throw a ton, and even leads the Dolphins in rush yards. He found the end zone twice last week against the Giants and has true QB2 potential at home against the Bengals. If you’ve been riding the ‘Fitzwave’ into Championship week, you might consider staying on board.
Running Backs:
- Patrick Laird (Start, FLEX if you must)
- Myles Gaskin (Sit)
The Miami backfield is one of the worst in the league and has been all season. Since taking over, Patrick Laird has been somewhat of a bright spot because of his pass-catching ability, but even then, he’s done nothing with this carries. Look for him to have a safe amount of touches to bring back FLEX appeal if you must start him; I would be sitting him. Myles Gaskin is not someone you want in your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- DeVante Parker (Start, WR2 with WR1 upside)
- Allen Hurns (Sit)
- Albert Wilson (Sit)
- Mike Gesicki (Start, TE2)
One of these fantasy seasons’ (and real-life for that matter) breakout players, DeVante Parker played like a man who didn’t just have a concussion the week prior. Two of his four receptions against the Giants went for touchdowns. He’s on the brink of 1,000 yards on the season and is in a prime spot to achieve the feat against the Bengals. If you were fortunate to have grabbed Parker after his strong Week 4 against the Chargers, you may just be playing for a championship this weekend. Because Parker is back, I’m not interested in starting the likes of Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson.
Because he’s the clear second target to Parker, I’m willing to claim Mike Gesicki as my sleeper spotlight. He has seen at least five targets since Week 9, and as long as Fitzpatrick continues to air the ball out, Gesicki is in line for the volume and scoring potential.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Richard Sherman has been a full participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week and is expected to play this weekend by SF’s beat writers. Why do you believe he is unlikely to play?
Hi Aaron, I too graduated from Kennesaw College (1981) and grew up in Smyrna. I am very active in fantasy with over 60 teams. I own a sports memorabilia business that publishes a small circulation magazine (catalog). I love your weekly analysis and I look to you for start/sit decisions, and I am winning. Thanks for the help. I am also working on a book on fantasy sports. I would love to chat. You are welcome to email me to start a discussion. Also I am a major Atlanta sports fan since 1966, and I did attend the worst game in Braves history this past September, the final game.