Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 8th, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Betting Odds: CIN -7.0, 42.0 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Estevão Maximo (@estevao_maximo on Twitter)
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (Start, QB1)
Joey B is the QB4 on the year. Amidst the outstanding campaigns by the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, we may have overlooked the production, especially from a fantasy standpoint, by the AFC defending-champ QB. Well over 4k passing yards, 34 TD’s, and 12 picks, when four of them came in that outlier game against Pittsburgh in week 1, he’s been exactly what we needed him to be.
Don’t expect quite the volume of those games against Baltimore last year, but at home, you should get something better than what he had in the previous matchup against the Ravens this season, in which Cincy failed to go over 200 passing yards.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon (Start, RB2)
Baltimore’s run d has been the staple of this defense, allowing fewer than four yards per carry on the year, and top 10 in fantasy points allowed to opposing backs, but it got shredded last week by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, we can’t simply scratch what they’ve been all season long, over a one-game sample, even if it followed a trend over the last three games.
Mixon is a high-end RB2 with some positive game script possibly coming his way if Cincy can run away with this one. Right now the Bengals are favored by seven with Lamar’s status up in the air, having not practiced in over a month.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR1), Tee Higgins (Start WR2), Tyler Boyd (Sit-flex), Hayden Hurst (Start TE2)
Through the highs and lows of this season, the pecking order in this receiving room has been well-established. Now, Tee is the type of WR2 with insane ceiling, capable of going off on any week, but Chase is the clear lead dog, averaging over 10 targets per game since his return from a hip issue.
For a while there, mid-season it looked like Tyler Boyd season was going to be a thing, but there’s just no way you can rely on him for consistent production in this offense. His name will pop up with a score once in a while because so much of the attention on coverage goes to Chase and Higgins, but then you play him and get a subpar return for three weeks.
Hurst is a solid option when healthy, and a fine TE2 with reliable targets in his first full game in a few weeks.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Tyler Huntley (Sit) *if Lamar Jackson plays (Start, QB1)
You don’t need reasons to sit Tyler Huntley. Luckily for the Ravens, the AFC Wild Card race has been more about who survived the second half, rather than which teams can get in with a push, otherwise, they could’ve been in a pickle, with Lamar out for such an extended period.
Lamar Jackson has yet to practice in the week, and while as of Wednesday night, he hasn’t been ruled out, if you roster him, plan like he’ll be out, as you have in recent weeks. It’s doubtful he sees the field before the playoffs.
Running Backs
JK Dobbins (Start, flex), Gus Edwards (Sit)
Dobbins tied for his second-highest snap share of the season at 50% last week and had his most carries with 17. He’s clearly the most talented runner in this backfield and should take over next season, hopefully with a healthy off-season.
Edwards is a clear sit in an offense that is struggling to move the ball consistently, outside of Dobbins’ runs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DeMarcus Robinson (Sit), Devin Duvernay (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start TE1), Isaiah Likely (Sit)
This passing attack hasn’t topped 130 yards in the last four weeks. Outside of Mark Andrews, you really should run away from playing any receiver, even in desperation mode. Mark Andrews’ talent is too much to ignore even amidst this wasteland, but if you’re playing in a guillotine league that goes until this week, I’d play someone like TJ Hockenson or even Darren Waller over him, comfortably.