Sit/Start Week 2: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Thursday, September 17th at 8:20 PM ET

Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Betting Odds: CIN +5.5, 44 total via Oddsshark

Network: NFLN

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Joe Burrow (Sit)

It was an impressive career debut for Joe Burrow last week against Los Angeles, albeit ending in a heartbreaking loss. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and, 1st overall selection, didn’t look like a rookie at the end of the game. He threw a crucial interception in the 4th quarter but came close to mounting the comeback had it not been for an OPI call and missed field goal attempt thereafter. Going 23 for 36 for 193 yards, his lone touchdown came on a nifty run for 23 yards; totaling 46 yards on the ground on the day.

Burrow gets the Browns Week 2 in the ‘Battle of Ohio’. He’ll face a much easier cornerback group than that of the Chargers, but I’m not ready to start him. The Bengals offensive line is a huge work in progress, and that’s enough of a factor for me to make my decision to consider him a sit. It will be interesting though to see how often Burrow uses his legs, and the rushing upside we are looking for.

Running Backs

Joe Mixon (Start, RB1), Gio Bernard (Sit)

In Week 1, you would have thought Joe Mixon would have been fed like his bank account was just a few days prior. The rush attempts were there – 19 – but he only totaled 69 yards on the ground; with a lost fumble to boot. More alarming stat was the one reception on just two targets. This was not the game you expected out of Mixon, especially in Burrow’s debut. That said, he can easily rebound against a Browns team that allowed rookie running back J.K. Dobbins to score twice.

It feels as if Gio Bernard has been around forever. Even so, his days of fantasy relevancy (as long as Mixon is healthy) are behind him.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

A.J. Green (Start, WR3/FLEX), Tyler Boyd (Start, WR3/FLEX), John Ross III (Sit), C.J. Uzomah (Sit)

Is A.J. Green back? It was encouraging to see Green play the entire game, and lead Cincinnati receivers in targets (nine) and receptions (five). The Bengals have certainly missed his presence on the field. As long as Green remains on the field, Tyler Boyd should benefit; but could also have his target share eaten into. Boyd had a rough go at it to start his 2020 – four receptions on five targets for just 33 yards – but is an important piece to this pass offense. Facing an injury-riddled Browns corner group, both Green and Boyd are fine start options as your WR3 or in your flex. John Ross III, on the other hand, is an easy sit.

Generally speaking, the tight end is usually a security blanket for a rookie QB. C.J. Uzomah did see five targets against the Chargers but turned four receptions into just 45 yards. He’s a touchdown dependent option until further notice.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield (Sit)

The Browns overall – both sides of the ball – could not get anything going against the Ravens in Week 1. Baker Mayfield played poorly, completing 20 of 38 attempts for just 188 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Granted he faced the Ravens, but Mayfield just hasn’t been fantasy relevant in some time. He could use Thursday night to bounce back, but I wouldn’t trust starting him until he shows he can consistently produce.

Running Backs

Nick Chubb (Start, RB1), Kareem Hunt (Start, Flex)

As I mentioned with Mayfield, the Cleveland offense was inept against Baltimore. Both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt weren’t much of a factor, though Hunt did have the better fantasy day. Chubb had just 10 carries go for 60 yards, and will remain on the low-end RB1 radar. Hunt out-carried Chubb by three with 13 rushes, but you could just chalk that up to game-script. He turned six targets into four receptions for just nine yards.

This backfield could truly get tricky in time if Hunt sees more and more carries, not to mention extra pass-game work like we used to see in Kansas City.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Odell Beckham Jr. (Start, WR2/WR3), Jarvis Landry (Start, WR2), Austin Hooper (Start, TE1), Harrison Bryant (Sit)

Odell Beckham Jr. had the targets to work with (10) but only reeled in three catches for 22 yards. In fact, he drew as many pass interference calls as he had receptions. It was a forgettable day, to say the least, but getting the Bengals this week could allow for a bounce-back game; especially if his target share is going to earn double-digits targets again. Jarvis Landry hauled in five receptions on six targets for 61 yards, and to be honest, is the safer player on weekly basis. The tandem is set to face a Bengals defense that, per FantasyData, allowed a total of 21.2 fantasy points to Chargers wide receivers last week; which in fairness isn’t a whole lot. However, if you have either on your team, you are going to continue to start them and hope Mayfield can get it together.

With David Njoku hitting the IR on Monday with a knee injury (eligible to return Week 5), Austin Hooper should become the favored tight end in this offense. Rookie Harrison Bryant may get some targets, but nothing worthy right now to have fantasy relevancy. Surely Hooper will see more than the two targets he did against the Ravens.

-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter)