Fantasy Football: Start/Sit Options for Bengals @ Dolphins

ONE TO START, ONE TO SIT
One to start, One to sit is a weekly column where each NFL game will be evaluated and the best/worst fantasy match-ups will be listed.

Tonight’s Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals @ Miami Dolphins

Best Option
CIN- Andy Dalton
MIA- Ryan Tannehill

The Red Rocket has been on fire over the past 3 weeks, accounting for a total of 81 fantasy points (standard scoring). 11 TD passes, only 2 Ints, and over 1000 yards passing. How can you go wrong? Miami’s defense has been tough on QB’s over the past two weeks. Since returning from the bye they’ve held opposing QB’s to an average of 6.5 fantasy points a game. However, it just seems like Cincy’s only beginning to commit to their passing game being their first option. With stud WR AJ Green at the helm, the Bengals passing game can beat you in a multitude of ways. Marvin Jones came out of no where (I’ll fully admit I completely missed the mark on that one) last week and put up fantasy stats only Calvin Johnson could overcome, he’s now a strong presence in the slot, TE’s Eifert and Gresham can make you pay if you forget about either one of them, and Mohamed Sanu is nothing to scoff at either. Saying that Dalton is going to have another performance like last week is too farfetched for my tastes, but don’t be surprised if he throws for another 2 or more TD’s in this one.

Over the past several weeks, the Bengals have been a jeckyl/hyde story when it comes to containing QB’s. They give up monster performances to Matthew Stafford (26 pts), and Thad Lewis (23 pts). But are also capable of shutting down QB’s that excel at pocket passing (Tom Brady- 5 pts) and running/scrambling (Geno Smith- 2 pts). A deciding factor in this could be the Bengals defense is not as good on the road as it is in home. When Cincy’s playing at Paul Brown Stadium, opposing QB’s are averaging a little more than 6 fantasy points. When the Bengals are away, QB’s have scored an average of 18.8 fantasy points a game. Enter Ryan Tannehill, He’s averaging 37 passes a game, and is a borderline QB 2 material at this point due to his struggles with turnovers in the last 4 games (7 ints thrown). Even having lost Brandon Gibson for the season (knee) Cincy’s defense is vulnerable in this matchup. Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Charles Clay are good enough to give Tannehill options where he won’t be forced to just throw to one WR. Finally, in 3 home games this year, Tannehill has averaged 15 fantasy points per matchup, if you’re looking for a bye week filler, Tannehill isn’t a bad option.

Worst Option
CIN- Marvin Jones
MIA- Lamar Miller

I know, I know, don’t worry, I’m not going to say, he’s here because he won’t repeat his numbers from last week. In fact, I like Jones more than Cincy’s RB situation (the Bengals are committed to an equal time share for Bernard and Law Firm), it’s just that Jones isn’t on the field a whole lot. Remember when Eddie Royal exploded in weeks 1 & 2 for 41 points? Next 5 games, a total of 19 points. Jones just saw 19 snaps last week against the Jets. Granted he was nearly perfect in that game, and has had double digit performances in the last 3 weeks, however, he’s still the 3rd WR for the Bengals, I’ll give him the fact that his value goes up when the Bengals hit the red zone, but he won’t get you the yards or the catches. In my opinion, Jones remains a TD or bust option in this matchup.

Over the past 4 games Cincy has held opposing lead RB’s to 3.3 yards per carry, and an average of 39 rushing yards a game. They have also not allowed a RB to score a TD since week 3. Miami has yet to commit to a lead back this year with Daniel Thomas receiving at least half (sometimes more) of Miller’s carries, as well as the majority of the goal line work. Miller’s value is at an all time low, and while you may be looking his way this week due to the teams on bye weeks, don’t have your expectations high. Miller will be very lucky to score double digit fantasy points against this Bengals defense.