:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22525829/186511882.0.jpg)
I hope I'm not the one breaking this new to you, but the Bengals struggled as a team when they faced Miami Dolphins on Thursday. Offensively, there weren't many explosive plays. Defensively, they couldn't stop the run and failed to create turnovers all evening. Their 22-20 overtime loss to the Dolphins left a lot to be desired in fantasy football. Let's breakdown what occurred for Bengals owners in Week 9.
Who Performed
Giovani Bernard: He was the brightest spot on the team from a fantasy perspective. Bernard ended with 79 rushing yards on nine carries along with two rushing touchdowns. He added four receptions for 25 yards. His 35-yard touchdown was an instant highlight for the week. If weren't for an injury to his ribs in the fourth quarter, Bernard may have seen even more impressive numbers, but he still ended up being a top ten fantasy running back for the week. He'll continue to be an RB2 with upside moving forward. He's questionable for Week 10 and will face a touch Baltimore run defense that has given up the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
A.J. Green: He ended up with 128 yards with no score in Week 9. PPR owners benefited from Green's team-high 11 receptions. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 7, but he's posted up over 100 yards over the past four weeks. He'll continue to be a WR1 against an average Baltimore secondary in Week 10.
Honorable Mention
Marvin Jones: He caught four passes for 66 yards but had a touchdown called back due to a holding call on teammate Jermaine Gresham. It's also worth mentioning that Jones' snap count increased in Week 9. He's an intriguing WR3 option moving forward.
Who Struggled
Andy Dalton: He was able to throw for over 300 yards for his fourth straight week, but he didn't do much else to help fantasy owners. Dalton turned the ball over four times. Three interceptions (including a pick six) and a fumble shattered his yardage production. It also didn't help that Dalton didn't throw a single touchdown. Dalton is quickly being downgraded to a QB2 in the fantasy community. I don't know that he's instantly a QB2, but it will be worth being mindful of his match ups for the time being.
Tight ends: As usual, both tight ends couldn't separate themselves from one another. Gresham was targeted seven times, but hauled in just three catches for 33 yards. Tyler Eifert caught three of his four targets for only 14 yards.
Defense/ Special teams: Cincinnati's defense was considered a top start against a Dolphins offense that was giving up the ninth most fantasy points to defenses. Of course, Miami scored 22 points. The Bengals managed three sacks, which resulted in the only fantasy production at the end of the night. It didn't help that Geno Atkins left the game with a season-ending injury. It may be an uphill battle for fantasy owners moving forward.
Be sure to check out Who Dey Weekly's Nick Seuberling and I during the Fantasy Kickoff show every Sunday morning. Follow us on Twitter @FantasyKickoff and send us your questions before the end of the week.