Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans
Final Score: CIN 37 – TEN 27
Writer: Raymi Chavez
One of the sloppiest games of the year went in favour of the Bengals as we witnessed the first game since 2000 with 25+ penalties and 10+ turnovers. The Titans contributed 6 of the turnovers, which was their ultimate undoing. The Titans got off to a great start, picking off Joe Burrow and scoring on their first two drives to give themselves an early 14-7 lead. It quickly unravelled from there as the turnovers started coming in scores. The last three Titans drives in the first half ended in one Levis fumble and then interceptions on back-to-back attempts, allowing the Bengals to take a 24-14 lead at halftime. The second half started with a punt and another Levis interception before the Titans finally switched to Mason Rudolph. The Bengals were able to finish the game with a victory from there comfortably. Let’s take a look at how this impacts the fantasy football world.
Three Up
- Jamarr Chase – The incredible season continued for Chase, grabbing another 9 receptions and was a visible playmaker.
- Chase Brown – The potential that everyone saw in Brown is being fully realized as he continues to produce at a high level today.
- Chig Okonkwo – Okonkwo was the most consistent receiver for the Titans and regularly extended plays after the catch.
Two Down
- Will Levis – Levis never fails to amaze, a brutal game even by his standards with four turnovers in less than three quarters.
- Calvin Ridley – Ridley was invisible out there for the most part against a weak Bengals defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: 26/37, 271 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Burrow continued his onslaught on the season with three more passing touchdowns. What is concerning though are the four interceptions and four fumbles he’s had in his last three games. Nevertheless, Burrow looked cool as ice in the pocket, moving around effectively in the pocket behind a makeshift offensive line. His first touchdown pass to Chase Brown involved nine seconds in the pocket before he threw it. A divisional matchup coming up with this kind of turnover trend makes me a wee bit pessimistic.
Running Back
Chase Brown: 25 Carries, 97 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards, TD
Brown has fully arrived. After starting the season sharing snaps with Zack Moss, Brown has fully taken over the backfield following an injury to Moss. Now it’s his to lose as he continues to be an essential part of this offense. He played all but two snaps today and is a safe bet moving forward as an RB1/2 just due to his guaranteed volume.
Khalil Herbert: 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jamarr Chase: 11 Targets, 9 Receptions, 94 Yards
Chase had his fingerprints all over this game, the most effective vessel for moving the football alongside Chase Brown. Chase is having a league winner type of season and is the bonafide star WR1 each and every week. Even without finding the endzone, he can put up monster numbers.
Tee Higgins: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 88 Yards, TD
Higgins is one of the key players that helps Chase to dominate. Higgins was back to his dominant ways after a lull last week and has scored touchdowns in 5 of the last 7 games he has played. A great WR2 moving forward.
Mike Gesicki: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 37 Yards
Gesicki got off to a hot start and then slowly faded into the background. Having only found the endzone in one game so far this season Gesicki is a tough TE to rely on in the playoffs this season.
Andrei Iosivas: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Iosivas was hardly featured and when Chase and Higgins are available Iosivas is a non-factor.
Tanner Hudson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Cam Grandy: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
Drew Sample: 1 Target, 1 Reception. 8 Yards
Sam Hubbard: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards, TD
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Will Levis: 8/12, 89 Yards, 3 INTs | 2 Carries, 0 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Levis went full Levis. You never want to go full Levis. He got off to a good start with two scoring drives back to back before inevitably turning the ball over, on 4 four of 5 drives. He was mercifully pulled after his last interception. If you have somehow found yourself in a playoff game with Levis as your QB please do whatever you can to change that.
Mason Rudolph: 21/26, 209 Yards, 2 TDs, INT | 2 Carries, 14 Yards
Rudolph came in and did everything the Titans wished Levis would do. Taking checkdown after checkdown against a soft defense doing what they can to not let the Titans score quickly. His interception was tipped at the line. He was effective and accurate. I still wouldn’t recommend picking him up.
Running Back
Tony Pollard: 17 Carries, 45 Yards, TD, Fumble (Lost)
Pollard had a solid game on a wonky ankle, buoyed by an early touchdown. Ended up splitting the backfield with Spears, if he’s still a little hurt next week I would maybe stay away from using him next week, although a favourable matchup against the Colts is on the docket. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Spears given more of a shot.
Tyjae Spears: 4 Carries, 5 Yards, TD | 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 87 Yards, TD
Spears was given a lot of opportunity in the second half with a passing gamescript in motion. He was highly effective as a checkdown once Rudolph got into the game. If Rudolph starts next week I would give Spears a sniff if your FLEX spot is uncertain.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Calvin Ridley: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 41 Yards | 1 Carry, 19 Yards
Ridley was trending positively heading into this game. He wasn’t a factor this week and at best should be looked to as a FLEX option next week against the Colts.
Chig Okonkwo: 10 Targets, 8 Receptions, 59 Yards
Okonkwo was dynamic, having spurts while Levis was in and then dominating the target share once Rudolph came off the bench. With 6 receptions on 7 targets coming in the last quarter and a half with Rudolph at QB. If your TE situation is uncertain like most peoples are, I would definitely take a shot on Okonkwo against the Colts as long as Rudolph is starting.
Nick Westbrook-Ikinhe: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Westbrook-Ikinhe had his second straight nothing game and it seems his magical TD run may have come to an end. It’s not worth betting on heading into the playoffs.
Tyler Boyd: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 39 Yards
Boyd had one explosive 40 yard catch and run, but otherwise continued to be a non-factor fantasy wise.
Josh Whyle: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 37 Yards, TD
Whyle was targeted often once Rudolph came in, routinely making underneath catches and moving the chains. He’s someone who could have himself a productive day next week, but I don’t trust it enough to advise picking him up.
Mason Kinsey: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Bryce Oliver: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Nick Vannett: 1 Target, 1 Reception 7 Yards