Bengals fantasy sit/start advice Week 5

Week 4 was unkind to anyone that owned Bengals players in fantasy football. Players are beginning to show that they may not be consistent options we hoped they'd be. Other players are proving to be complete duds. Let's take a look at what we can look forward to as the Bengals face the Patriots in Week 5.

Andy Dalton: Unless you're in a two-quarterback league, Andy Dalton isn't much of an option. He may find some success playing at home as he looks to redeem himself from a rough performance against the Browns in Week 4 (23 passes for 206 yards and an interception), but let's not forget that this entire season is supposed to be about Dalton taking his game to the next level. In other words, Dalton isn't exactly rising above adversity a quarter of the way through the season, so don't expect a rebound against New England to happen that easily. There are much better match ups this week to take advantage of at the quarterback position.

Wide receivers: As usual, A.J. Green is the only fantasy wide receiver worth starting on the Bengals roster. He'll have his hands full with Aqib Talib and a New England defense that has given up the 6th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers (according to Yahoo!). However, the Patriots haven't faced many wide receivers with Green's level of talent. Julio Jones just posted 108 receiving yards against the Patriots in Week 4, so Green should be able to make plays after being being limited to 51 yards by Joe Haden.

Running backs: BenJarvus Green-Ellis is proving to be an afterthought as Giovani Bernard continues to prove that he's the more dynamic player in Cincinnati's backfield. He'll be a solid RB2 against a New England defense that has been mediocre in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Green-Ellis could surprise fantasy owners with some goal line carries as he faces his former team for the first time since arriving in Cincinnati, but he's ultimately a desperation play.

Tight ends: Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert continue to virtually mirror one another on the box score. I'd never recommend one over the other on any given week until they show clear signs of separation with their fantasy production.

Cincinnati defense/ special teams: Typically, you bench a defense that faces Tom Brady. Brady is still working out some chemistry with a young group of wide receivers, and there will naturally be some growing pains opposing defenses can exploit. However, the Bengals were pedestrian against the Browns and it's difficult to trust them when you consider the match up. I don't believe the Bengals will be a bad start against New England. I just know that there are better options this week if you can afford to shuffle another defense.

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In the meantime, feel free to discuss Week 5 in the comments section below!