Fantasy News

A.J. Green gets going in the second half of Week 1 victory.

Green caught six passes for 92 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown in the second half. The star receiver took advantage of a great matchup, but he also fumbled twice (one lost), which is something that needs to be corrected. Fortunately, it didn’t cost Cincinnati, and you would think that Sunday is the last we will hear of fumbling issues for Green. He gets a difficult matchup on Thursday night against the Ravens, but they won’t have Jimmy Smith (suspension), so Green remains a clear WR1.

9/10/18 - 10:18 AM ET

Eli Manning struggles to get much going in Week 1.

Manning had a very difficult matchup with the Jaguars defense to open the season. He went 23/37 for 224 yards and one interception, with the interception coming on a tipped pass that was returned for a touchdown in the five-point loss. He also missed a couple of would-be touchdown throws, but the pressure from Jacksonville was a factor. Manning gets a less difficult matchup next Sunday night against the Cowboys, but he’s not a highly-recommended option in fantasy lineups.

9/10/18 - 10:15 AM ET

Giovani Bernard handles two touches in Week 1 win.

Bernard rushed once for negative-two yards and caught an 11-yard pass in the 34-23 victory. It was believed that Bernard had a chance to carve out a significant role as a change of pace to Joe Mixon, but if Week 1 was any indication, that won’t be happening. Right now, the former second-round pick is just a handcuff that doesn’t need to be owned in 10- or 12-team leagues.

9/10/18 - 10:15 AM ET

Joe Mixon operates as workhorse in Week 1 victory.

Mixon rushed 17 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, also adding five receptions for 54 yards. The second-year back barely left the field for Giovani Bernard (two touches), and he looks like a lock for 20+ weekly touches, which would make him an every-week RB1/RB2. Cincinnati takes on the stout Baltimore defense on Thursday night, but it will be difficult to keep Mixon on the bench as a probable top-15 play in both standard and PPR leagues.

9/10/18 - 10:13 AM ET

Donte Moncrief catches one pass in Week 1.

Moncrief was targeted five times against the Giants, but he and Blake Bortles could not connect for much. Moncrief gained 14 yards on his lone reception. There’s a chance Stephon Gilmore is on Moncrief for much of next week’s game, so he’ll be difficult to trust in fantasy lineups.

9/10/18 - 10:12 AM ET

Austin Seferian-Jenkins catches three passes in Week 1.

Seferian-Jenkins gained 25 yards on his three receptions (five targets), and he had a touchdown wiped out by an offensive penalty. ASJ probably needs a touchdown to be a viable starting option in Week 2 against the Patriots. There should be better fantasy options at a deep position.

9/10/18 - 10:11 AM ET

Andy Dalton, Bengals score 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat the Colts, 34-23.

Dalton went 21/28 for 243 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed twice for eight yards. The first score came on a quick fade to John Ross from three yards out, and then Dalton connected with A.J. Green in the second half for a 38-yard touchdown. Overall, we would have liked to seen more from Dalton from a fantasy perspective in a cupcake matchup, but he played well enough to start 1-0. Cincinnati will have a quick turnaround to face the Ravens, who just dominated Buffalo with a 47-3 victory, on Thursday night, so Dalton can go back to the waiver wire.

9/10/18 - 10:09 AM ET