The Fantasy Football year ends with the ultimate backup QB matchup. The Bengals and Broncos are really good teams being lead by somewhat suspect starting QBs. Both teams are pretty healthy at all non-QB fantasy positions. Check out those guys that can produce no matter the starting QB and those ones that should be forgotten about.
Monday Night Football Analysis - Bengals @ Broncos
Matchups We Love
DeMaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos - The Broncos haven't been able to sustain a solid passing game for two halves all season. Both Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning have had games where they look good for one part and then completely fall apart later on. Despite all of this, DeMaryius Thomas has been able to put together another solid overall season. Without a healthy Manning he hasn't been able to score as many touchdowns as the previous two years but he has managed to catch the second most balls of his career. Thomas is the most talented player on Denver's offense and the only one you can rely on with Osweiler at QB.
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals - Green had a horrible game last week with A.J. McCarron as the starter. This comes after a week where McCarron came in and threw two touchdowns to Green. Everyone knows the Bengals will try and force the ball to Green as much as possible with McCarron starting. Because of Aqib Talib and the rest of the Denver cornerback committee it will be a lot to expect Green to have a good day. But, much like DeMaryius Thomas, Green is so talented that he can turn a single play into a good fantasy day.
Matchups We Hate
Jeremy Hill/Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals - The Broncos run defense continues to be one of the best in the league. The Bengals backfield continues to be the most frustrating in the league. This combo plus the fact that Hill and Bernard just aren't playing that well makes them both non-starters. Yet, last week Hill had two touchdowns so there is always the chance one of them has a big day. There is truly no way of splitting these two (last week Hill had 19 carries to Bernards 14 but Bernard had four catches to Hill's none). Because they both offer such high risks and low rewards, I would look for better options.
Ronnie Hillman/C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos - The Bengals have a strong run defense that hasn't given up 100 yards rushing to opposing teams for seven straight weeks. Both Hillman and Anderson might get 100 yards combined but neither will be able to get going individually. Anderson is slightly injured but all indications are he will play on Sunday. Either way, both backs aren't worth starting. Also, Hillman and Anderson might be the second most frustrating RB combo in the league.
Prove It To Me Players
A.J. McCarron, QB, Bengals - For all intents and purposes these are the rookie set of starts for both McCarron and Osweiler. McCarron is going to be starting his third game in the NFL against a top three Broncos defense. Starting McCarron is a bad idea.
Brock Osweiler, QB, Broncos - Osweiler hasn't been awful and he hasn't been great either. He has a two to one touchdown to interception ratio right now. He has managed to keep the Broncos in the game while sometimes looking every bit the part of a big time NFL starter. He has also had major "rookie" moments as well. He has just been too inconsistent to trust as a starter.
Tyler Kroft, TE, Bengals - Kroft is in again for the injured Eifert. Kroft is a TD dependent TE. He'll simply be an outlet for McCarron while A.J. is running away from Von Miller all night.