What We Saw: Week 11

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Bengals @ Raiders

Final Score: Bengals 32, Raiders 13

Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)

In a battle of 5-4 playoff bubble teams, ‘Who Dey’ ended up not being the Raiders. The Raiders kept it close for three quarters until the Bengals blew the lid off of the game in the fourth quarter. If the absurd amount of carries didn’t give it away, the Bengals literally ran down the Raiders defense to the point of exhaustion. The Raiders look to be playing uninspired football (for obvious reasons), and while they aren’t a pushover, they are still a team in turmoil as they struggle on third downs and in the red zone, specifically. The Bengals took full advantage of that turmoil to better position themselves for a playoff push after a two-game slide. In the end, Joe Mixon stole the show.

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Joe Burrow: 20/29, 148 yards, TD, 3 Sacks | 3 carries, 11 yards

Ultimately, Joe Burrow didn’t have to do a lot on the day in order to seal the victory. As Burrow was quoted after the game, the Bengals just needed to stay on schedule in order to succeed, and they did just that. The stat line wasn’t spectacular, but Burrow looked like he could do this in his sleep. Although, if it wasn’t for Bengals kicker Evan McPherson nailing four field goals, three of which were from 50+ yards, I would have a much different opinion on Burrow. He only needed to be a game manager, so that’s all he was. He played smart and took care of the ball. It wasn’t the best fantasy day, but he looked great.

Running Back

Joe Mixon: 30 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD

Samaje Perine: 2 carries, 3 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards

Chris Evans: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards

While Chris Evans and Samaje Perine were involved a little bit, Joe Mixon would’ve been the headliner if this was a concert. I cannot recall a time when the Bengals fed Mixon the ball this much while keeping him healthy. I’m usually very cautious with him in fantasy football, but this year seems like the year where his full potential is being unleashed. The development of the passing game has been a blessing for Mixon. Bengals HC Zac Taylor is not afraid to give his lead back the ball, and as long as Mixon stays healthy, that means we will keep seeing scores celebrations like this:

Roll the dice 🎲 #BudLightCelly

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/WWAK5mM9ef

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 21, 2021

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Tyler Boyd: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 49 yards | 1 carry, 14 yards

Ja’Marr Chase: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 32 yards, TD | 2 carries, 8 yards

Tee Higgins: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards

Mike Thomas: 1 target, 1 reception, 12 yards

C.J. Uzomah: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards

Drew Sample: 2 targets, 1 reception, 3 yards

Stanley Morgan: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards

Tyler Boyd led all Bengals in targets. His experience at the position is clearly a valuable asset to Joe Burrow. At one point he did limp off the field, but he just needed an IV to alleviate cramping. Without a score, it was a pretty lackluster day. Joey B spread it out to the rest of the gang, with seven other Bengals getting at least one target. Among those seven was the one and only Ja’Marr Chase. Chase continues to be a favorite target of his former college teammate Joe Burrow, and the Bengals continue to find ways to get the ball in his hands. I’m not sure what was better here, the throw, or the route:

.@JoeyB 🎯 @Real10jayy__ to extend the lead.

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/0Fgo7HqY28

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 21, 2021

Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback

Derek Carr: 19/27, 215 yards, TD, INT, 2 Sacks

Even with all of the turmoil in Las Vegas, Derek Carr is truly showing why he is the leader of this team. His stats were not overwhelming, but he is still giving it 110% every single snap. Even with limited weapons, Carr continues to fight tooth and nail. Against worse teams, he still has the talent to put up big yards and multiple scores, but this wasn’t one of those situations. I would hesitate to deploy Carr in most single QB formats as their fantasy ceiling seems to be rather limited due to the overall personnel. Carr still has these sorts of darts in his arm:

DC put it right in the 🧺!@derekcarrqb X @fhmoreau | CBS pic.twitter.com/4wAtvoOvP1

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 21, 2021

Running Back

Josh Jacobs: 9 carries, 37 yards | 7 targets, 5 receptions, 24 yards

Kenyan Drake: 5 carries, 23 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Peyton Barber: 1 carry, 3 yards

The run game was nothing to write home about in this matchup. Neither running back could get a rhythm going, and neither were reliable on third down. If the offense can’t stay on the field, they can’t score points. If they can’t score points, it’ll show in fantasy football. Today was one of those days. There was limited production out of this group and it really hurt the fantasy production of the entire team. Josh Jacobs is a volume running back, and as long as Kenyan Drake is there in the backfield taking away touches, I fear this type of usage is not going to be uncommon. Without a score, this is not a backfield you want to find yourself relying on for the time being.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Darren Waller: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 116 yards

Hunter Renfrow: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 30 yards | 1 carry, 5 yards

Zay Jones: 2 targets, 1 reception, 20 yards

Foster Moreau: 2 targets, 1 reception, 19 yards, TD

DeSean Jackson: 1 carry, 4 yards

Bryan Edwards: 1 carry

The Raiders don’t have a lot of options on the depth chart to replace the game-breaking speed of the former first-round pick no longer on the team. The lack of that player and the lack of a running game spelled doom for this offense overall. Foster Moreau continues to make the occasional splash in limited action, but until he sees more consistent targets, he’s not a real option for fantasy managers. Hunter Renfrow continues to be old reliable, but he’s never going to overwhelm you on the scoreboard. Although the offense couldn’t stay on the field, the one guy you can’t blame is Darren Waller. We all know he’s an athletic freak, but several of his last games have not been what we have come to expect of The Wallerus.