Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 25th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: CIN -5, 45 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow (Start, QB2)
Is the Super Bowl hangover real for Joe Burrow and the Bengals? Through the first two weeks of the season, Burrow has a 4:3 interception to passing touchdown ratio entering Week 3 against the Jets. The real issue to speak on is the rate of sacks allowed by this Cincinnati offensive line. Burrow has been sacked a whopping 13 times; seven in Week 1 and another six in Week 2 against Dallas. According to PFF, Burrow is expected to post 21.3 points on the week in full PPR leagues, but this may be a week where the Jets’ pass-rush can come to life and take advantage of the Bengals’ offensive woes. Consider Burrow a QB2 on the week.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon (Start, RB1)
The Jets, despite coming off the thrilling win against Cleveland, just gave up 145 yards on the ground to the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and allowed three rushing scores. Joe Mixon has only 139 yards on the ground through the first two weeks, but he’s the Bengals workhorse back, totaling 46 carries in that span compared to Samaje Perine’s two. Mixon also hasn’t scored yet this season – through the air or on the ground – but he does lead the Cincy backfield with three carries inside the 5-yard line according to FantasyData.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR1), Tee Higgins (Start, WR2), Tyler Boyd (Sit), Hayden Hurst (TE2)
New York’s rookie CB Sauce Gardner will face his first true test of the season, lining up against Ja’Marr Chase, who is coming off a down week (to his standards). Against the Cowboys, Chase posted just 54 yards on five receptions and nine total targets. He still remains on a WR1 trajectory, but his stat line is predicated on just how well the Bengals’ offensive line can hold up to give Burrow the time he needs to feed Chase. You can argue that Tee Higgins, clear from his Week 1 concussion, may be in store for a better day if Gardner has any say against Chase. Higgins caught Burrow’s lone touchdown against Dallas, and finished the day with six receptions on 10 targets for 71 yards; in fact, Higgins was the only recipient of a Red Zone target in this game according to FantasyData. Tyler Boyd is the WR3 in this offense and doesn’t offer much fantasy value unless Chase or Higgins were to face an injury spell. Tight end Hayden Hurst has seen a healthy 15 total targets through the first two games of the season and has 10 receptions to his name. PFF has him projected to post 9.1 points against the Jets in full-PPR leagues, good for 13th on the week out of tight ends.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Joe Flacco (Start if you must, QB2)
Am I crazy to think Joe Flacco, who may have one or two more starts left in him until Zach Wilson is ready to make his season debut, could be worthy of a stream this week? Hear me out. If you’ve lost Trey Lance, are still working through the loss of Dak Prescott, or even have a fear of Russell Wilson after the first two games, Flacco could be in line for another solid performance against the Bengals. He ranks third in passing yards on the season with 616, and Cincinnati did just allow Cooper Rush to pass for 235 yards in last week’s defeat. In all reality, Flacco is nothing more than a desperation streaming option and would thrive in a negative game script scenario; which he may find himself in again if the Bengals come to play.
Running Backs
Breece Hall (Start, FLEX), Michael Carter (Start, FLEX)
Breece Hall found the endzone for the first time in his career last week against Cleveland and overall had a productive day in comparison to Week 1. He rushed for 50 yards on seven carries, and his touchdown came through the air on his only target in the game. According to @NFLRookieWatxh on Twitter, Hall led all rookie RBs in yards-per-carry in Week 2 with 7.1. On Wednesday, HC Robert Saleh spoke about a change he’d like to see out of Hall’s running style that will help him take a leap forward:
Robert Saleh raved about Breece Hall but also said the next step in his development is to do less running "sideways" and sticking his foot in the ground and going north/south more. #jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 21, 2022
Consider Hall a FLEX option again this week. His batterymate Michael Carter turned seven carries into just 23 yards on the ground against the Browns, he did catch all five of his targets for 27 yards. It’s been a fairly even split through two games between the two backs, and Carter is also worthy of a FLEX play this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Garrett Wilson (Start, FLEX), Elijah Moore (Sit), Corey Davis (Sit), Tyler Conklin (Start if you must, TE2)
Welcome to the show Garrett Wilson. The 10th overall pick in this year’s draft turned 14 targets (!) into eight receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns; one of which proved to be the game-winner. He played 61% of snaps, which was welcomed in comparison to his light 49% in Week 1 against Baltimore. Even so, Elijah Moore saw 86% and Corey Davis 77% against Cleveland, so Wilson was still operating as the WR3, but he sure did make the most of it. He’s earned the right to a FLEX consideration this week. Moore, on the other hand, is certainly hurting the ROI for fantasy managers through two games — but I do believe his breakout is imminent. It may even happen this week to be perfectly honest, but my belief is to bench him until he proves it; so you may be on the outside looking in for a productive game. Below is a small sample size, but pictures don’t lie: Moore is getting open.
Something that was very, very obvious breaking down the Garrett Wilson tape:
Elijah Moore gets open a TON.
GDub video dropping tonight #Jets pic.twitter.com/V8lC5P0AMY
— Luke Grant (@LukeGrant7) September 20, 2022
Davis saved his fantasy day – and the Jets – with his 66-yard TD that saw him wide open down the sideline late in the 4th quarter. It’s hard to deny that it was anything more than a fluke score, and until further notice, Davis can be left on your bench. PFF has tight end Tyler Conklin projected to score just 6.8 points in full-PPR leagues against the Bengals, but I would consider him streamable if you aren’t set at the position. He saw nine targets against the Browns and appears to be a safety blanket for Flacco.