Browns@Bengals
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29th at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Betting Odds: CLE -2.5, 43.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: John Ross
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback:
- Baker Mayfield (sit, mid-QB2)
The Browns are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Does that mean they will try to see some younger players? I don’t know but I doubt it with coaches trying to show that they belong there next year. It is a plus matchup for Mayfield in what has been a disappointing season. We can’t view him as a QB1 with other top options still with something to play for.
Running Backs:
- Nick Chubb (start, mid-RB1)
- Kareem Hunt (start, low-RB2)
Chubb is still the NFL’s leader in rushing yards and I am sure the Browns will want him to keep that record. I would expect normal usage for these two as they come up against a poor Bengals run defense. Chubb should see 15+ touches and the goalline work. Hunt should be the third option in the passing game to go along with a handful of carries behind Chubb. Start both of these guys if you still have fantasy matchups.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Odell Beckham Jr. (start, WR2/3)
- Jarvis Landry (start, WR1/2)
Beckham needs 46 yards to get to 1,000 on the season. I am sure the Browns and Mayfield will try to get him there. Landry has been the more consistent receiver most weeks and I don’t see why that wouldn’t continue this week. The Bengals will also be without their top cornerback William Jackson. Jackson being out will be a boost for Beckham who failed to produce in their first matchup. None of the other receivers or tight ends get enough work to be relevant.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback:
- Andy Dalton (start, mid-QB2)
The Bengals don’t have anything to play for as they already locked-up the number one pick in the draft. Dalton showed he still has good games in him with a thrilling comeback attempt against the Dolphins a week ago. Dalton has a decent complement of weapons on hand in this one with John Ross back to a full complement of snaps last week. The matchup is fine for him and he makes for an okay streamer this week against the Browns.
Running Backs:
- Joe Mixon (start, mid-rb2)
Mixon was battling a stomach bug last week but that didn’t stop him from having 23 touches. I haven’t seen anything in regards to the Bengals resting players so it should be a full workload game for Mixon. He has largely struggled with efficiency this year but the volume has been good, especially of late. He makes for a fine RB2 this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Tyler Boyd (start, mid-WR2)
- John Ross (start, WR3)
- Alex Erickson (sit, bench)
Boyd, Ross, and Erickson had 15, 13, and 9 targets respectively a week ago. It was nice to see Ross logging full-time work again and he should be all systems go against this beatable Browns secondary. Boyd continues to be a PPR darling as he is sixth at receiver in targets on the year. Erickson has been a fine third option for the Bengals of late but I don’t trust him this week as Ross has emerged again for this Bengals team. The tight ends for the Bengals are too inconsistent to trust and I would largely avoid them this week. Boyd and Ross are your startable options and I would feel fine playing either one of them this week against the Browns.
–Kevin Taylor (@ktbeast918)