Bengals vs. Chiefs
Bengals
Never trust Andy Dalton
Well, not never, but man, I had Andy Dalton as a top-five QB this week and he was terrible. He finished the game with 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against a secondary that, coming into the game, had given up at least 20 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in every week except one, including three weeks in which they gave up 400+ yards. And then Dalton comes in and throws this total dud of a game. He’s up against the Bucs next week, and my instinct is to say start him because of how bad the Bucs’ secondary has been, but if he can’t play well against the Chiefs’ secondary, I don’t know how you can ever really trust him.
At least A.J. Green did well
A.J. Green was about the only positive thing coming out of this game for the Bengals, as he soaked up 77% of Dalton’s passing yards with seven catches for 117 yards on 14 targets. Even if Dalton is terrible, Green is still amazing and will continue to be each week. As for Tyler Boyd, man, what a bummer. I had really hoped to see him do well considering how good he’s been this year and, again, how bad the Chiefs’ secondary has been, but it just wasn’t his game. Three catches for 27 yards isn’t going to do it.
Joe Mixon struggles along with the rest of the Bengals offense
Coming into this game, no team had given up more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Chiefs. In fact, opposing running backs were averaging 36.6 fantasy per game against the Chiefs, who had given up at least 24 fantasy points to opposing running backs every single week. Enter Joe Mixon, a supremely talented running back, who promptly puts up 50 yards on 13 carries for a rock-solid five fantasy points. I don’t really know what else to say here, I mean it’s far and away Mixon’s worst game of the year (and the dude had 84 yards against the Ravens), and I’m not sure there’s much else to say than just the Bengals offense took a gigantic dump in this game all around. Am I worried about Mixon? Not at all. It was a bad game, and I think you can safely write it off as such.
Once again, C.J. Uzomah is the tight end to own
If you really feel the need to own a Bengals tight end, it still seems to be C.J. Uzomah who caught Dalton’s only touchdown this game. I don’t think Uzomah will ever be much more than a TE2, but if you’re desperate, he’s getting work.
Man this Bengals secondary is bad
I mean, I figured Patrick Mahomes would play well but he just absolutely lit up this Bengals secondary. They’ve been porous to say the least this year, and will probably be the biggest stumbling block for the Bengals heading to the playoffs.
-Ben Palmer
Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs held a party at Arrowhead Sunday night, dominating the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 45-10 and making it look easy. The team had its full complement of offensive weapons on display led by QB Patrick Mahomes who continued to add to his historic season. This team has been fantasy gold, leading the NFL in scoring offense and keeping pace with some of the greatest offenses in NFL history. RB Kareem Hunt added three scores, and his ridiculous elusiveness was on full display. It was a fun game to watch.
Showtime Mahomes is the real deal
Pat Mahomes orchestrated the defensive destruction of the Bengals on Sunday night, finishing 28-for-39 and 358 yards passing. It was Mahomes sixth straight 300-yard passing game. He added four touchdown passes but also had one interception. HC Andy Reid has installed countless run-pass option plays and formations that compliment everything Mahomes does well. We even saw Mahomes scrambling ability, something that has been quiet early in the year, and although not particularly athletic Mahomes was able to grind out 45 yards on four carries including a nice 23 yards run to extend a touchdown drive. Showtime Mahomes is a fantasy difference maker and a league winning type of player. If there is an owner out there who doesn’t value the position, see if you can put a package together to acquire the young star. This season is reminiscent of historic QB seasons from Brady, Manning, Warner, and others. Those players led countless owners to fantasy championships and Mahomes will too.
Kareem Hunt is rolling and opposing defenses should be frightened
One of the best things to watch as a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs is the uncanny elusiveness that Kareem Hunt displays. Hunt is averaging three and a half yards after contact and has forced 31 missed tackles so far in 2018. Hunt’s Madden juke skill was on full display Sunday night when he scored two receiving touchdowns on swing passes out of the backfield and managed to sneak inside the pylon for touchdowns. He later added a short run up the middle for a rushing TD as he pushed the scrum across the goal line. In PPR, Hunt has been on a tear since a slow start in Week 1. Six straight games of 14 points or more, including three monster games of 25+. Hunt is a Top 5 play at RB the rest of the way and should be started without hesitation in all formats.
To add insult to injury the Chiefs played some of the second teamers to close out the game. RB Spencer Ware ran exactly like you’d expect like he hasn’t had much action in 2018. Ware finished with eight carries for 59 yards, nearly breaking one for a long TD. Keep him on your waiver wire speed dial, as he has immediate value should Hunt miss any time.
Even in a quiet receiving night, this Chiefs team produces for owners
Kansas City had four players not named Hunt or Mahomes that finished with eight or more fantasy points Sunday night. The offensive production this team generates for fantasy owners is consistent and historic. The Chiefs are on pace to have a top 5 finisher at QB, RB, WR and TE in all formats. Last year they did it in standard scoring only but it seems the addition of Mahomes has added fuel to the fire. Even on a down night, this team scores fantasy points at will.
WR Tyreek Hill led all fantasy receivers with seven receptions for 68 yards and he added one late touchdown. This season Hill has been held down some but has still managed a Top 5 WR rank. I worried about targets coming into the season but it seems that won’t matter with the explosiveness that this offense displays.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce finished with five catches for 95 yards on just five targets, including a 43-yard rumble. Kelce didn’t get into the end zone tonight but that might not even matter, the guy is nearly uncoverable and his limits only seems to be targets.
Sammy Watkins was a solid flex option tonight, with 74 yards on four receptions and second TE Demetrius Harris added a second-half touchdown reception, reminding owners that if you are stuck at TE you could do worse than taking a shot on Harris as a bye week fill-in.
-Marc Salazar