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Only three more weeks till the playoffs for most weeks. Hopefully you are fairing better than the Bengals are this season. This game doesn’t offer too many viable fantasy options, but there are a few diamonds to be found.
Must starts
No must starts in this game. These are two terrible offenses, and the defenses are good enough to keep it that way.
Favorable matchups
C.J. Anderson (Broncos RB): The Bengals allowed DeMarcco Murray to score three touchdowns last week. Overall the Bengals defense didn’t let the Titans go crazy rushing yardage wise, but allowing that many scores to a running back isn’t good. If the Broncos get to the redzone, expect Anderson to be the one scoring.
Broncos Defense: This defense really has the ability to put up a ton of points for you on Sunday. The Bengals aren’t going to score 40 points on them, and do you really think the Bengals can stop Von Miller from destroying Andy Dalton on Sunday?
Bengals Defense: Come on. Brock Osweiler is their quarterback. You think the Bengals won’t have at least one pick six? Plus the Broncos offensive line is having their own issues. This could be a week where the defensive line is able to get some serious pressure.
Good but not great
Joe Mixon (Bengals RB): With Jeremy Hill on Injured Reserve, Mixon is receiving a majority of the snaps, but he is still vastly under utilized. Mixon has scored a touchdown in two straight weeks though, which is pretty much what a good vs bad game for him hinges on at this point.
Tyler Kroft (Bengals TE): If they team really decided to commit to getting the ball to Kroft, he would be much higher than this. The Broncos have been awful at covering tight ends this season, and Kroft is a nice plug and play option based on the match up.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos WRs): Probably one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, and they are being held back by the Broncos quarterbacks. These guys could end up have a huge game, or just down right bad. That is the nature of playing a talented receiver who has Osweiler throwing him the football.
Unfavorable matchups
A.J. Green (Bengals WR): Green showed why he is almost impossible to sit last week. One 70-yard touchdown catch made his game. It is still a very bad matchup for Green this week. The Broncos corners are some of the best in the league, and since the Bengals don’t really have other offensive weapons that are capable of taking the pressure off of him, he could be in line for a terrible fantasy output.
Just sit them
Brock Osweiler Broncos (QB): This isn’t hard. You really want to put Osweiler in your line up? I don’t think so. You’d be better off with Blaine Gabbert or Jay Cutler.
Andy Dalton (Bengals QB): Dalton has struggled against some pretty soft defenses, and this defense, even though it has been destroyed the past two weeks, is talented enough to shut down the passing game. It isn’t all Dalton’s fault. This offensive scheme and the players who have been opted to put on the field are holding this entire offense back.
Any receiver other Bengals receiver: Brandon LaFell has had a few nice games this season, but he is so spotty there is no real way of knowing when to play him. As for any hopes of this being John Ross’ game just listen to what Marvin Lewis has to say about his first round pick.