Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 2 Fantasy Guide: Bengals vs Steelers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In Fantasy Football, the defense QB’s face is as important as the players on their team. Both Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger have big game potential.

Ever since the playoff loss to the Steelers in January the Bengals have been itching for a rematch. At the same time, Fantasy Football owners are itching for big scores from players on both teams. Old school football fans often don’t understand the Fantasy Football movement. But those actively involved in it understand there is money and bragging rights to be made. In Week 2 of the 2016 season, the Bengals vs Steelers matchup is full of fantasy intrigue. Not only does the game have major meaning in the AFC North; it has major meaning in every Fantasy league in America.

No doubt the Steelers are looking to repay the Bengals for the cheap shot from suspended LB Vontaze Burfict. Similarly, the Bengals are looking to replay the game with their starting QB involved. For Fantasy owners, the kind of emotion present in this game adds a new dynamic not found in analytics. Emotion affects players differently and will, in turn, affect the stats in this game in an unpredictable way. Fantasy owners forming their lineups for Daily Fantasy and classic Fantasy leagues excel when they can predict the outcomes of individual battles. While there is some unpredictability in this Bengals game, there are also some interesting matchups.

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Both Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger have big game potential.

In Fantasy Football, the defense QB’s face is just as important as the other players on their team. Both the Steelers and Bengals defenses held their opponents to under 22 points in week 1. However, the Steelers scored 38 points as Big Ben and his new receivers looked to be on the same page already.

With the Bengals scoring only 23 points against a stout Jets defense the initial thought would be to start Roethlisberger over Dalton. However, the Jets sport two top-notch Wide Receivers and a versatile, veteran running back.

The Bengals defense did look solid against the Jets and the special teams scored big with a crucial blocked field goal. For the Steelers, they faced a Redskins team that they clearly dominated all game. The biggest difference: the Bengals have A.J. Green and the Redskins don’t.

A.J. Green is the primary reason to start Andy Dalton over Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger, on the other hand, has Antonio Brown and will no doubt benefit from him. Yet, Green is a Fantasy juggernaut that not only scores points but demands double teams all games. As the Steelers blitz Dalton, a few things will happen. First, quick slants and even jump balls can neutralize a Blitz. The hands and size of Green will help Dalton avoid any exotic blitz coming through the Steel Curtain. Secondly, during a blitz, HB screens from Giovani Bernard will lead to completed passes and extra yards.

In turn, Dalton will score more Fantasy Points via AJ Green’s greatness, situational Screens to Bernard and one-on-one coverage on other receivers.

Next: Can Deangelo Williams Run on the Bengals?

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Deangelo Williams can run on any team he plays against, including the Bengals.

Without Vontaze Burfict the Bengals linebacker’s are good against the run…good but not great. While the Steelers starting RB is suspended, Deangelo Williams is proving to be one of the best backs in the league in his own right. His ability to catch the ball as well as extend running plays makes him a better option as a Fantasy running back than any RB on the Bengals.

Overall, there are other RB’s to start over Williams this week because the Bengals defense is top-5 (Adrian Peterson and LeSean Mccoy). But in comparison to any back the Bengals have to offer, Williams is the only choice to make in this game.

Both Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard are bench players in most Fantasy Football leagues. In deeper leagues, Hill may be a slightly better play as the Bengals try to establish the line of scrimmage and run him on the goal-line. Pounding the ball between the tackles will keep the Steelers aware of play-action passes and give Dalton a few more seconds to release the ball.

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However, if the Steelers shut down Hill and get to Dalton, Giovani Bernard has a chance to be a sleeper pick for this game. His ability to get outside and catch passes will always give him opportunities in the red zone and on 2nd-and-long. With that said, Fantasy owners should beware not to outsmart themselves: leave Hill and Bernard on the bench if possible.

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Following the Monday night beating the Steelers put on the Redskins the knee-jerk reaction would be lean toward the Steelers defense.

Pittsburgh got to Kirk Cousins and in general thwarted anything the ‘Skins tried to do. Yet, Washington doesn’t have a true #1 receiver and their starting RB Matt Jones has been battling injury for weeks.

When the Steelers face the Bengals offense they have to plan for a #1 receiver, a Pro Bowl quarterback, and two-headed rushing attack. Both teams know each other very well and there won’t be many surprises. Even so, the Bengals offensive attack this year won’t allow opposing defenses to score many Fantasy points.

Roethlisberger is an expert at extending plays and making throws other QB’s can’t or won’t. As he extends plays against an opportunistic defense like the Bengals, there will be times when Cincinnati can make plays. Big Ben is slower than he used to be but just as strong. So, when he stands in the midst of a Carlos Dunlap rush, the Stripes in the secondary will have chances to pick off passes.

Sacks may be hard to come by but strip sacks and fumbles will be there for the taking in small windows. Fantasy owners won’t see the Bengals D/ST scoring points in bunches because of both Brown and Williams. But, when the choice is between the Bengals or the Steelers defense this week the smart choice for fans and in Fantasy is your Cincinnati Bengals.