Thursday Night Football Preview Dolphins vs. Bengals.
Week 4 starts us off with a prime matchup with the Miami Dolphins taking on the Cincinnati Bengals. Heading into the match-up, the Dolphins (3-0) are one of two teams that are still undefeated (the Philadelphia Eagles are the other team, ugh!) while the Bengals (2-1) managed to get a victory in Week 3. Both offenses rank in the top 10 and boast big-time playmakers at the wide receiver position.
The Miami Dolphins rank just ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals in scoring with the Dolphins averaging 27.7 points per game (eighth overall) and the Bengals, ranking 10th overall averaging 21.3 points per game. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love some high-scoring games. That’s the delight to all fantasy managers when two of the better offenses in the league get together for a game. CBS Sports has the over/under for the game at 47.5.
Now let’s get to the nitty and see who you should be starting in this game. And remember, keep that flex spot open so you can make adjustments when needed ahead of the rest of Week 4.
When looking at the quarterback position, Miami’s Tua Tagoviloa could be a good play if you need him to go for you. The Dolphins offense has shown the ability to be able to put up points in a hurry when needed (just ask the Baltimore Ravens). Tua T enters the match-up as the fifth overall fantasy quarterback so far this season. Tua was dealing with some injuries after the slugfest of a game against the Buffalo Bills just last week. Picking up back and ankle injuries, there was some concern that Tua may not be able to go. The Dolphins quarterback is expected to play for Thursday Night Football.
Tua is averaging 21.7 fantasy points per game so far and has an 8:2 touchdown to interception ratio.
In the opposite corner, Joe Burrow comes in as the QB9 averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game. Burrow’s struggles may not stem from his own performance but the lack of an offensive line has been hurting him the most. Joe Burrow is tied for first in sacks with Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz.
The Dolphins have just six sacks on the season so far but they do send pressure against opposing quarterbacks. The Dolphins blitz 25.5% of the time. However, the Dolphins have given up the second-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season as well. Lamar Jackson looked like his old MVP self, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. That could open the door for Burrow to do some damage against a susceptible Dolphins secondary.
When it comes to the wide receivers, you’re putting everyone in your lineup. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are roster locks as both wide receivers are top 5 options averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game. Waddle is currently averaging 24.3 fantasy points per game to Hill’s 20.3. The Bengals will have their hands full trying to slow down one of the fastest wide receiver duo’s in the league.
On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins can be just as dynamic. Higgins is averaging 14.7 y/r while Chase is averaging 10.1. Defenses as of late, have been making it a point to box in Ja’Marr Chase so that he doesn’t beat them deep like he did during his rookie campaign. Despite that, both Bengals’ wide receivers should be in your lineups too. The Miami Dolphins are giving up the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers at just over 25 fantasy points per game.
The running back position is where things take a turn. Miami is using both Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert in their “RBBC” and both backs have had chances to shine so far this season. In Week 2, Raheem Mostert was the back-to-own as he saw 14 total touches for a combined 89 yards from scrimmage. The following week, Chase Edmonds stole the show a bit punching two goal line looks for touchdowns over Mostert. Mostert did when the carries battle (8/6) but neither back was effective on the ground. My advice: Avoid this backfield for fantasy production unless one of either back goes down. I know that sounds harsh but it looks like both Mostert and Edmonds will continue to share snaps in the backfield and will take off each other’s plates.
Joe Burrow isn’t doing much himself so far this season either. Mixon is currently the RB22 and is averaging just 9 points per game. Mixon’s struggles may also stem from the poor offensive line play up front as Mixon is averaging just 2.8 y/a and was super “meh” in Week 2. It also looks like backup running back Samaje Perine is starting to get in on the action. Perine saw increased usage after Mixon was dealing with an ankle injury, seeing nine carries for 57 yards and going two for 14 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Mixon could be in for a long night with the Dolphins playing tough against the run for fantasy. The Dolphins are giving up nearly 13 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and have surrendered just one touchdown on the ground so far.
The tight end position may be the one spot that feels like it’s made clear on what you should do. Leave them either on your bench or on the waiver wire. Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki has seen just five targets over the last two games. He would come with some serious risk despite a solid-looking matchup on paper. The Bengals are giving up nearly 13 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. But if he’s not getting the looks, he may not be able to take advantage.
Bengals’ tight end Hayden Hurst is floating in similar waters. Hurst has seen nine targets but just 31 yards over the last two games. Hurst, like Gesicki, just isn’t getting enough looks with the wide receivers that are outperforming them that are seeing more of their respective quarterback’s eyes. Both can stay on waivers and out of your lineups.
The Wrap Up
I’m taking the Miami Dolphins this week to win the game. Their offense just looks too explosive with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and with that kind of speed out there, it can get really dangerous really quick if the Bengals secondary isn’t careful. The Bengals’ may be able to fight fire with fire for a bit but Burrow has been shown to throw the ball away like when he threw four interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who are you taking in this Thursday Night Football game? Are you rolling with the red-hot Dolphins or are you taking the Cincinnati Bengals?
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