Sit/Start Week 9: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Kickoff: Sunday, November 7th at 1 PM ET

Location: Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio

Betting Odds: CIN, -2.5, 47.5 Total on Sports Line

Network: CBS

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield (Sit)

Here’s every Baker Mayfield pass & run from the last 2 drives. You’ll see 9 passes—6 completions and 2 drops. You’ll also see a WR fumble, a false start and a great 1st down run on 3rd down. #Browns (Sorry—no volume on the 1st drive!)

Baker 20/31, 225 w/5 drops. He balled out. pic.twitter.com/7BCjuHdgZe

— Ed Greenberger (@EdGreenberger) October 31, 2021

Baker Mayfield can’t catch a break this season, if it’s not his torn labrum, it’s Odell Beckham Jr getting kicked from practice. This week is going to be very important for the Browns season, as they are in desperate need of a win to stay relevant in the AFC North. The Bengals on the other hand have been pretty damn good on defense and aside from letting the Jets get a win last week, they’ve held the QB in check. Allowing only 18.1 fantasy points/game to opposing QBs, giving up the third-fewest TDs (10), and has the fourth most interceptions (7). For this reason, I’m going to pass on Mayfield this week, at the very best he’s a desperation QB2 in Superflex leagues.

Running Backs

Nick Chubb (Start), D’Ernest Johnson (Flex option)

D'Ernest Johnson cuts it back for 6️⃣! #Browns

📺: #PITvsCLE on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/Yaf3smiU8L

— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2021

Nick Chubb came back from injury last week against a stout Steelers defense and went for 61 yards on 16 carries. While nothing overly impressive, I think he’s going to have a good game this week against a better Bengals defense. Last week the Bengals gave up 77 yards and a TD and 9 receptions for 95 yards to Michael Carter, while giving up another 71 receiving yards to TY Johnson. The Browns are going to need offense in this game and I think we’re going to see D’Ernest Johnson take on the receiving back role and Chubb take 20+ carries. Both are plays this week, Chubb is an RB2 and Johnson is a Flex.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Jarvis Landry (Start), Donavan Peoples-Jones (Sit), Austin Hooper (Flex), Anthony Schwartz (Start)

Will Jarvis Landry have any more fantasy-relevant seasons in his career?

Stats vs the #Steelers:
10 Targets
5 Rec
65 Yds
1 Fum

1 Car
5 Yds

⬇️All Targets vs Cleveland⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NkWCxBC98f

— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) November 4, 2021

Jarvis Landry is the start in this game with Odell Beckham removed from practice Wednesday, I don’t see them keeping him. Landry is coming off a game in which he received 10 targets and should be in for another 10 this week against the Bengals. The reality is the Browns were limited on receivers before and now are down to Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, and Austin Hooper. While I won’t say these guys can’t have a big game, I will say I’m not going to put my money on it. The Bengals have been really good against tight ends, allowing 5.6 fantasy points on average. So I’m going to start Landry and let the other guys prove they’re are good on my bench this week. Landry should be a WR2 in PPR and a WR2/3 in standard.

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Joe Burrow (Start)

"That was fun…we're gonna need two more."@JoeyB wanted @Real10jayy__ and the @Bengals offense to keep their foot on the gas. 😤 pic.twitter.com/9MBQAoYSLG

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 26, 2021

Joe Burrow has been damn good this year throwing 20 TDs to 9 INTs. Burrow has just been as advertised for the Bengals and his connection with JaMarr Chase has paid off in spades. Now the Browns defense have not been their usual stingy self this season and have allowed the third-most TDs (17) to opposing quarterbacks. This is an easy start for me, I can’t see a situation in that Burrow isn’t at the very least a low-end QB1. There are very few guys I’d consider starting over Burrow, do yourself a favor and keep him in your lineup. Burrow is a QB1 in week 9.

Running Backs

Joe Mixon (Start), Samaje Perine (Sit)

Joe Mixon broke out the Thriller celebration 🕺

(via @Bengals)pic.twitter.com/qjQnV4oo6R

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 31, 2021

Joe Mixon is the one guy I’m worried about in this game. As the Browns have allowed sixth-fewest rushing yards (547) and 8th fewest receiving yards (244) to the opposing RBs. This doesn’t bode well for Mixon, but you can’t at this point put him on the bench. With all of the RBs that are injured or on bye this week, you have to start Mixon. His numbers will most likely reflect an RB2 in this game. We saw last week that Samaje Perine won’t be figured into a role unless the team is ahead. So I’m thinking he’ll be a sit this week, while he’ll get touches I just don’t think Perine will make them matter. Mixon will be an RB2 and Perine is aflex in desperation.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Ja’Marr Chase (Start), Tee Higgins (Start), Tyler Boyd (Sit), CJ Uzomah (Flex)

Get Griddy, @Real10jayy__!

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/TFpwgpR4Tg

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 31, 2021

Ja’Marr Chase is a start no matter what, don’t get cute with it. Chase is currently on pace for 14-15 TDs on the season and he has a good chance to catch one this week. On average the Browns defense has given up 24.2 fantasy points/game to receivers and they haven’t even played Chase yet. Chase is a WR1, no doubt about it. Tee Higgins has been targeted 8 times/game and has seen double-digit targets twice this season. I expect Higgins to once again lead the team in targets and have the opportunity to be a good play for PPR leagues. Higgins is a WR2 in PPR leagues and WR3/flex in standard. Tyler Boyd has received 15 targets over the last two games, but one wonders if it is sustainable. I think there’s a decent chance Boyd could have a game with 5-8 targets, but I’ll bank on Higgins and Chase getting the workload. Boyd is flex in all formats CJ Uzomah is averaging 3 targets/game, that’s nothing to get excited about but he has had a couple of 2 TD games. So he’s like the ultimate wildcard, if you need to play him, he’s a flex at best.