Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 24th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Betting Odds: CIN +7, 48 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow (Start, QB2)
Hospital trip be damned. Joe Burrow did not let the injury scare from Week 5 against the Packers slow him down last week against the Lions. He torched the Lions to the tune of three touchdowns on 271 yards, completing 19 of 29 attempts and one interception. He holds a 14:7 touchdown to interception ratio, and has looked the part of FQB for a starved Bengals franchise. Week 7 holds no easy task though, as he faces a Baltimore defense that just completely shutdown Justin Herbert, a feat any team in the league has had a hard time doing. If you find yourself having to start Burrow, go for it, but proceed with caution.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon (Start, RB2), Samaje Perine (Sit), Chris Evans (Start, dart-throw in deeper leagues)
Joe Mixon was a major participant in the thrashing of Detroit last week, posting 94 yards on 18 carries, with five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown on six targets. I would anticipate similar involvement again in both facets of the offense, as he’s set to face a Ravens defense that has given up the 10th most points to fantasy running backs this season. Samaje Perine missed the game (reserve/COVID-19 list), and so rookie Chris Evans stepped in with a receiving touchdown of his own early on in the game. Now while Perine isn’t a start for me, if you find yourself stuck in BYE week hell, Evans could be a sneaky FLEX option in deeper leagues.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR2), Tyler Boyd (Sit), Tee Higgins (Start, FLEX), C.J. Uzomah (Start, TE2)
Penei Sewell truthers are a bit quieter these days when they see what Ja’Marr Chase has been able to do so far in this rookie campaign. He’s been as rock-solid a WR2 as they come, enjoying the reunion with his former college QB in Burrow. His reliability as a deep target has paid off greatly for the Bengals, and that connection will only continue to grow. Tyler Boyd on the other hand, has taken a step back in recent weeks, turning eight total targets in the last two games into five receptions for just 31 yards. If I were to find myself needing to start another Bengal receiver not named Chase, it would be Tee Higgins over Boyd for me. Higgins has seen 13 targets in the last two games, with eight receptions and 76 yards.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah finds himself on the streaming radar this week, coming off a three reception/three target game for 15 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. If you find yourself taking fliers on TE’s, you are looking for a scoring opportunity, and that’s what Uzomah presents in a passing-heavy offense. It also helps that the Ravens have given up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends on the season.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
From what Lamar Jackson has done so far this season, it was considered a down week for him in the dominant Week 6 win over the Chargers. Jackson threw for only 167 yards and a touchdown, completing 19 of 27 attempts with one interception, as well as rushing eight times for 51 yards. The Bengals defense has 14 sacks on the year, and Jackson has been sacked 13 times. Containing him
Running Backs
Latavius Murray (Start, FLEX), Devonta Freeman (Sit), Le’Veon Bell (Sit)
What year is it? Despite a down game from Action Jackson, the Ravens beat up LA on the help of their running back rotation made of up Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell. Each RB found the end zone, but Murray remains the only trusted, viable fantasy option; and he’s a FLEX at best. With Freeman and Bell being non-factors in the pass attack, they are rather useless and should be left on the wire. Ty’Son Williams was a healthy scratch against Los Angeles, and shouldn’t be rostered again until we see signs that he will be given an opportunity.
Wide Receivers, Tight End
Marquise Brown (Start, WR2) Rashod Bateman (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
Marquise Brown is coming off a down game in a season where he’s been putting it together due to Jackson tending to throw more than we’ve been accustomed to seeing. You should see him get back on track this week against the Bengals. Rookie Rashod Bateman made his season debut last week, finishing with a quieter stat line of four receptions on six targets for 29 yards. With Sammy Watkins hurt – what else is new? – Bateman should be able to get going as the third receiving option in this offense. That being said, if you can afford to sit him another week, I would and wait to see if he’s going to truly be a contributor.
Mark Andrews is off to a strong start this season, and it pays to be Jackson’s preferred target in a year where is passing more than ever. Having found the end zone three times in the last two games, and a combined 19 targets, Andrews is set to face a Bengals defense that just allowed the Lions T.J. Hockenson to catch eight of 11 targets for 74 yards last week. Consider him to continue to produce as a TE1.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)