Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Watch Live on Fubo
- CIN -5.5, O/U 49.5
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Pace and playcalling notes
- With Cooper Rush starting, Dallas has ranked fourth in neutral pace and 13th in neutral passing rate. Across their last three games, Cincy has ranked eighth in neutral pace and first in neutral passing rate.
Bengals Players & Weekly Rankings
| Joe Burrow | QB | QB1 |
| Chase Brown | RB | RB1 |
| Khalil Herbert | RB | RB4 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | WR1 |
| Tee Higgins | WR | WR1 |
| Andrei Iosivas | WR | WR3/4 |
| Mike Gesicki | TE | TE2/3 |
Cowboys Players & Weekly Rankings
| Cooper Rush | QB | QB2 |
| Rico Dowdle | RB | RB2 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | RB4 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | WR2 |
| Jalen Tolbert | WR | WR5 |
| Brandin Cooks | WR | WR3/4 |
| Jonathan Mingo | WR | WR6 |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | TE1/2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Since Week 11, Rush has been the QB24 in fantasy points per game. During these three weeks, among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he has ranked 28th in yards per attempt, 23rd in passer rating, 14th in CPOE, and 34th in highly accurate throw rate. All of those numbers are about what we should expect from Rush at this point. With that said, he could see his numbers elevated this week. Yes, that is how bad Cincy’s pass defense has been. Since Week 8, they have allowed the second-highest yards per attempt, the highest passer rating, the eighth-highest CPOE, and the fourth-highest success rate per dropback.
Over the last two games, Dowdle has played at least 61% of the snaps while averaging 23.5 touches and 110.5 total yards as the RB10 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 9, among 42 qualifying backs, Dowdle has ranked 11th in explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. He should be the centerpiece of the Dallas offense this week (assuming they can keep this game competitive). Since Week 8, Cincy has allowed the 13th-highest explosive run rate, the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and ranked 15th in zone rushing success rate (since Week 9, Dowdle 66.7% zone).
Lamb will play through his shoulder issue this week. He was limited in practice on Friday and Saturday and doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game. With Cooper Rush starting, Lamb has had a 24.2% target share with 55 receiving yards per game (1.61 YPRR) and a 31.2% first-read share. During this four-game stretch, Lamb has four red zone targets and two WR14 weekly finishes (outside the top 36 wide receivers in weekly scoring in the other two games). Even with battling through the injury and Rush’s quarterback play, Lamb should have a good game this week. Since Week 8, Cincy has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Last week, Cooks returned and had a 51.4% route share, a 19.4% target share, 0.84 YPRR (16 receiving yards), and a 22.2% first-read share. Cooks led the team with two end-zone targets and scored a touchdown. I expect his route share to rise this week. While I’m not immensely high on Cooks this week, nor do I want to heavily buy into a Cooper Rush-led passing attack, the matchup is glorious this week. Since Week 8, Cincy has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Cooks is a solid flex this week.
In the seven games Tee Higgins has played this season, Iosivas has had only an 8.4% target share, 1.24 YPRR (33.9 receiving yards per game), and a 7.7% first-read share. In that span, he has finished as a WR3 or higher in weekly scoring only twice (WR22, WR31) while drawing three red zone targets. Iosivas enters the fringe of flex-worthiness this week only because Dallas has been dreadful against slot receivers. Since Week 8, they have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game and the second-most PPR points per target to the position.
Ferguson will be back in the huddle this week. In his one game played with Rush, Ferguson had a 13.8% target share, 1.04 YPRR (24 receiving yards), and a 17.4% first-read share. He should compete with Cooks for the number two spot in the target pecking order this week. Overall, Ferguson is the TE17 in fantasy points per game, ranking 22nd among tight ends in red zone targets. Cincy has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards per game and the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Flex Plays & Fades
Tread lightly with these players who are questionable starts or players I’m fading this week.
With Tee Higgins active this season, Gesicki has disappeared. He has had only a 6.4% target share, averaged 17.7 receiving yards per game, and had a 5.8% first-read share. There are too many other decent streaming options this week at the position to consider going to Gesicki.
GB vs. DET | NYJ vs. MIA | ATL vs. MIN | CAR vs. PHI | NO vs. NYG | JAC vs. TEN | LV vs. TB | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. ARI | BUF vs. LAR | CHI vs. SF | LAC vs. KC | CIN vs. DAL
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
- Watch Live on Fubo
- DET -3.5, O/U 51.5
- Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Pace and playcalling notes
- Since Week 8, Green Bay has had the third-slowest neutral pace and the highest neutral rushing rate. During the same time frame, Detroit has had the sixth-slowest neutral pace and the fifth-highest neutral rushing rate.
Packers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jordan Love | QB | QB1/2 |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | RB2 |
| Jayden Reed | WR | WR2 |
| Romeo Doubs | WR | Out |
| Christian Watson | WR | WR3/4 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | WR | WR3 |
| Tucker Kraft | TE | TE1/2 |
Lions Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jared Goff | QB | QB1 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | RB1 |
| David Montgomery | RB | RB1 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | WR1 |
| Jameson Williams | WR | WR2/3 |
| Tim Patrick | WR | WR5 |
| Sam LaPorta | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
The last time Goff squared off against Green Bay, he completed 81.8% of his throws with a 109.3 passer rating, but he only threw the ball 22 times for 145 yards. We could easily see Detroit lean on their ground game again this week with success, but if Green Bay can offer some pushback or if Ben Johnson wants to chuck it, they should have success through the air. Goff has remained stellar on a per-dropback basis. Among 42 qualifying quarterbacks, Goff ranks first in yards per attempt, second in passer rating, 12th in CPOE, and eighth in fantasy points per dropback. The Packers’ pass defense has shown some cracks in the pavement over the last few weeks. Since Week 8, Green Bay has allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt, the eighth-highest passer rating, the sixth-highest CPOE, and the fifth-highest success rate per dropback.
Williams is the WR35 in fantasy points per game with four top-24 wide receiver outings this season. He remains a boom/bust option weekly that hasn’t seen a red-zone look since Week 2. Overall, Williams has had a 17.7% target share, a 32.6% air-yard share, 2.32 YPRR, and a 24.1% first-read share. Since Week 6, Green Bay has utilized two high at the seventh-highest rate (53.9%). Against two high, Williams has seen his target share increase to 22.4% with 2.87 YPRR and a 32% first-read share. Williams could have a nice day if Detroit passes enough against a secondary that, since Week 8, has ranked 17th in PPR points per target allowed.
Ok, here we go. Trying to predict the Packers roulette wheel of wide receivers has been fun weekly. (it hasn’t). Reed should lead the way this week despite the coverage matchup not being in his favor. Since Week 7, Detroit has utilized single high at the seventh-highest rate (57.8%). Against single-high, since Week 4, Reed ranks fourth on the team in target share (11.9%) and third in YPRR (2.11) and first-read share (16.8%). Detroit’s struggles to defend the slot is what pushes Reed to the top of the Cheesehead pile this week. Detroit has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the second-most receiving yards per game to slot receivers this season.
Watson is the weekly wildcard in this receiver room. Since Week 7, Detroit has utilized single high at the seventh-highest rate (57.8%). Against single-high, since Week 4, Watson ranks second in target share (17.5%), first in YPRR (2.71), and second in first-read share (22.2%). With Watson’s downfield role and efficiency against single-high, I won’t bet against him making a splash play or two this week. The matchup isn’t great on paper when looking at how Detroit has defended outside receivers. Playing Watson as a flex this week is done with an eye on his ceiling and an internal conversation for your team, depending upon your other options. Since Week 8, Detroit has limited perimeter wide receivers to the third-fewest PPR points per target and the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game.
With Romeo Doubs ruled out, Wicks will step back into the starting lineup in Week 14. Since Week 7, Detroit has utilized single high at the seventh-highest rate (57.8%). Against single-high, since Week 4, Wicks leads the team with a 34% TPRR and ranks fourth in YPRR (2.05) and first-read share (14.7%). In the last five games that he has played at least 50% of the snaps, he has seen seven red zone targets. Wicks will be heavily involved this week. The matchup isn’t amazing, but he could be the 1B this week behind Jayden Reed. Since Week 8, Detroit has limited perimeter wide receivers to the third-fewest PPR points per target and the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game.
LaPorta is the TE14 in fantasy points per game, ranking fifth in deep targets and tenth in red zone targets among tight ends. He has a 12.9% target share with 1.64 YPRR and a 13.3% first-read share. Green Bay has been a great matchup for tight ends, allowing the sixth-most receiving yards per game, the 12th-most yards per reception, and the tenth-most fantasy points per game.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Flex Plays & Fades
Tread lightly with these players who are questionable starts or players I’m fading this week.
Love is the QB7 in fantasy points per game, ranking sixth in passing touchdowns and eighth in passing yards per game. Among 42 qualifying quarterbacks, Love ranks seventh in yards per attempt and fantasy points per dropback and tenth in CPOE. Love has displayed the ability to overcome bad matchups this season, and he’ll be asked to do so again this week. Since Week 8, Detroit has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passer rating, and the second-lowest success rate per dropback.
Jacobs is the RB9 in fantasy points per game, ranking 17th in snap share, eighth in weighted opportunities, and 11th in red zone touches. He has averaged 20.7 touches and 104 total yards per game. Among 57 qualifying backs, Jacobs ranks 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Jacobs will be running uphill all day against what remains a strong Detroit run defense. Since Week 8, Detroit has held backs to the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game, the 12th-highest stuff rate, and the 12th-fewest yards after contact per attempt.
Doubs has been ruled out (concussion).
Since Week 4, Kraft has had a 12.9% target share, 1.73 YPRR, and a 13.2% first-read share as the TE10 in fantasy. Overall, among tight ends, he ranks sixth in red zone targets, 11th in receiving yards, and third in yards after the catch. Don’t expect a big game from Kraft this week. Detroit has held tight ends to the fourth-fewest yards per reception and the fewest fantasy points per game.
GB vs. DET | NYJ vs. MIA | ATL vs. MIN | CAR vs. PHI | NO vs. NYG | JAC vs. TEN | LV vs. TB | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. ARI | BUF vs. LAR | CHI vs. SF | LAC vs. KC | CIN vs. DAL
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*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*
