Bengals at Bills: Fantasy football starts and sits

The Bengals offense had some fantasy stars last week, but as a whole it was pretty disapointing for anyone who didn’t play a 49ers player. This week should help establish some more concrete trends as to what we can expect from the Cincinnati, but there isn’t much reason to hesitate playing a few Bills this week as well as the usual suspects for the Bengals.

Must starts

After The Bengals terrible performance last week from most of their playable fantasy players, it is hard to suggest them this highly going into this week. The only player that would’ve been included here is rookie running back Devin Singletary, but he is out with an injury. Everyone else has an issue going into the game that keeps them from being considered this highly.

Favorable matchups

Josh Allen, QB, Bills: This is sure to get some laughs or weird looks, but Allen is a pretty good option as far as fantasy football goes. If you look at just his passing stats, you may question this as he has thrown for just over 250 yards and a touchdown in each game. He has also added a rushing touchdown in each game as well, though, which is often worth more in most leagues than passing touchdowns.Don’t go benching a stud quarterback for Allen, but considering all the starting quarterbacks who have gone down, you could probably pick Allen up for a week or two.

John Ross, WR, Bengals: Ross really saved fantasy players this past week with a touchdown catch from 66 yards out during garbage time. It actually came on a similar play that the Bengals ran earlier in the game, but instead of Ross turning on the jets to outrun the defenders he attempted to cutback. Clearly he learned his lesson there, which is pretty easy to take as a positive. Ross is still the leading receiver for the Bengals, and until A.J. Green returns to the lineup he should at the very least be a flex option.

Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals: Boyd and Andy Dalton caught fire last week. He had 10 receptions for 122 yards (he also caught a touchdown that got called back). Boyd is a points per reception dream with 18 catches in the first two weeks, and there isn’t reason to think that will stop against the Bills this week. Hopefully Boyd finally is able to connect with Dalton for a touchdown.

John Brown, WR, Bills: Brown has been a very important target for Allen. He has had seven receptions in each of his two games with the Bills and has one touchdown on the season. He is easily the most consistent target on the Bills offense, but he just doesn’t see enough use in the red zone to feel comfortable as more than a WR2 in PPR.

Bills defense against the Bengals: Sacks is the biggest thing here. Cordy Glenn is still out at left tackle and Andre Smith and John Jerry combined to be a huge headache last week for Bengals fans as they tried to fill in. Dalton has been sacked nine times so far this season, and until/if Glenn is able to return, it is hard to see that trend changing anytime soon.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals: Mixon has had a rough start to the season, but call it a gut feeling that the Bengals will be able to rally this running game to be presentable in Buffalo. Mixon calling out his own play, and Billy Price probably starting at left guard could give the running game the boost they’ve been looking for after having one of the worst starts in NFL history.

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals: Dalton has gone over 300 yards each week with a total of four touchdowns on the season to one pick. He isn’t going to win you any games, but he won’t be the reason you are losing, either.

Good but not great

Frank Gore, RB, Bills: The main reason I’m not as high on Gore this week as some may be after the 49ers ran all over the Bengals is pretty simple. The 49ers running backs destroyed the Bengals by being agile, and Gore does not have that at this point in his career. He could very well end up with a very solid day with a touchdown, but right now it looks like his play style plays right into the Bengals style too well to be considered anything more than a flex option at best.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals: Eifert caught a touchdown last week, which is the good news. He also caught three passes, but the bad news is he only had nine yards. Eifert’s output was probably hurt a little by the fact the game got so out of hand, and he was replaced with rookie tight end Drew Sample, but it is pretty clear that Cincinnati is limiting Eifert’s usage. He is a touchdown dependent player in PPR leagues, but he may not even be playable in standard leagues as he only has 36 yards so far this season despite the Bengals being pass happy.

Cole Beasley, WR, Bills: Beasley is a pretty nice flex option in PPR leagues (he has nine catches for 123 yards in two games). He is taking a pretty comfortable seat behind Brown in the target department downfield, though. He is mainly used as the short/mid level passing game receiver, which hasn’t resulted in an eye popping performance yet. It doesn’t help that 51 of his yards came on one play.

Just sit them

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Bills: Yeldon is a hard one to predict. He has only played five offensive snaps this season, but he should see some carries now that Singletary has been ruled out. What can Yeldon do with those carries is anyone’s guess. My biggest thing is I hate to recommend playing boom or bust players, and that is why Yeldon is down here. He could very well get the hot hand against the Bengals defense, or he could carry the ball a handful of times with very little to show for it. If you are desperate for a replacement for Singletary in your lineup, then I guess you could do worse.

Damion Willis, WR, Bengals: Willis saw a target deep in the endzone last week, but ultimately couldn’t make a highlight reel catch. He ended the game with one catch for three yards. Worst of all, the return of Auden Tate to the active roster cut down on WIllis’ snaps, which gave him even less opportunities to do anything.

C.J. Uzomah, TE, Bengals: It looked like in Week 1 that Cincinati was willing to use Uzomah pretty regularly in the screen game, which game him the slightest bit of fantasy value in PPR. He had a big old zero in targets this past week.

Zay Jones, WR, Bills: Jones has three catches on the season for a total of 32 yards. It seems pretty clear that Jones is well behind Brown and Beasley in the receiving game department.

Bengals defense against the Bills: Yeah, there is just no reason to risk playing them again this week.