Cincinnati Bengals

Broncos at Bengals: 5 best fantasy options

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:43 p.m. ET

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A.J. Green’s supporting cast can help the Cincinnati Bengals exploit a dominant Denver Broncos defense in Week 3.

The Bengals host the defending Super Bowl champions at Paul Brown Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Quarterback Andy Dalton will need his other weapons to keep Denver’s swarming pass rush and smothering secondary off balance.

Here are the best fantasy options for the game.

5. C.J. Anderson

The Broncos are leaning more on their running game now Peyton Manning is no longer leading the offense. Head coach Gary Kubiak has reverted to type with Trevor Siemian at quarterback. He’s emphasizing the zone-stretch running game that’s been a career trademark.

It’s meant a strong start to the season for running back C.J. Anderson. He’s turned 40 carries into 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Those are numbers Cincy head coach Marvin Lewis and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther should worry about. The Bengals are last in the league against the run after two weeks, per the NFL‘s official site.

It’s a surprise ranking considering the brawn and talent along Cincinnati’s defensive line. Tackles Geno Atkins and Domata Peko are a formidable pair. But the front seven seems to be missing bruising suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Departed safety Reggie Nelson and his instincts as a force player against the run is also notable by his absence.

Anderson is a good bet to continue his fast start the season against Cincy’s weakened rush defense. He’ll be helped by an improved offensive line skillfully revamped during the offseason. New tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson have both made a huge difference in the trenches.

Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jabari Price (25) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tyler Boyd

Cincinnati’s other wide receiver caught six passes for 78 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. The second-round pick in this year’s draft is a good matchup against a Broncos secondary that likes to lock receivers up in man coverage on the outside.

Boyd has the move skills and size to get free underneath from the slot. Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips often asks his inside linebackers to match up on intermediate pass routes. It’s a matchup Boyd can win often.

His short-range savvy will also be vital in helping Dalton beat the rush. The Broncos bring most of their heat off the edges. One way of neutralizing the pressure is to target in-breaking routes behind the rush with quick throws.

It will mean Dalton putting his tendency for the deep ball on hold. He’ll have to look off Green’s vertical routes and utilize Boyd over the middle.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green (85) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

3. Virgil Green

One other matchup the Broncos should like is sneaky good tight end Virgil Green against the Bengals linebackers. Vincent Rey, Rey Maualuga and Karlos Dansby all boast size and experience. Yet, it’s a rather plodding group. A group Green can get the better of.

The sixth-year man is a big and crafty target. Green has a good knack for finding holes in the shallow zones.

But those who don’t count on the 6’5″, 255-pounder’s deceptive speed often pay the price. Green is averaging 10.6 yards a catch this season, and can stretch the seams.

Kubiak and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison often like to use big No. 85 as a blocker in the run game. He’s a force on stretch runs and trap plays.

However, Kubiak and his staff will be smart to turn Green loose in the passing game more often this week.

Sep 21, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) against the Tennessee Titans at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. Giovani Bernard

Giovani Bernard was a good matchup against the Steelers last week, and he’s an even better one against the Broncos in Week 3. Phillips puts a lot of stress on inside linebackers as covering defenders, and not many ‘backers can stay with Bernard in space.

He had nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh’s linebacker-led defense. Bernard can be Dalton’s check-down against pressure and the hot read behind the blitz.

It will be up to offensive coordinator Ken Zampese to vary where the sure-handed running back lines up. Zampese should split Bernard out wide, move him into the slot and make him part of trips looks and bunch formations.

In other words, he should keep the Broncos guessing about exactly where No. 25 is going to be and where he’s going to strike from.

Phillips will likely target Bernard with blitz pressures to force him into pass protection. But taking him out of the backfield consistently can stop that ploy cold.

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Denver Defense

Even with one or two matchups favoring the Bengals, this still figures to be a defensive struggle. Any defensive struggle favors the toughest unit in the league.

The Broncos aren’t quite as dominant as 2015. They couldn’t be after losing D-tackle Malik Jackson and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan in free agency. Not after losing edge-rusher DeMarcus Ware to injury.

But Phillips still has a secondary most of the NFL should envy. Safety T.J. Ward and cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby are a match for every receiving corps in football.

Denver’s ability to bring pressure is still strong. Especially with Von Miller in the form of his life. The NFL’s best defensive player saves his best for the big moments and the big occasions. He did last week when he sacked Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, forcing a fumble Shane Ray scored off to ice the game.

Cincinnati’s problem is they don’t have the running game to take advantage of a 23rd-ranked rush defense. So Dalton will have to throw into the strength of the Broncos’ D’.

It’s not something he’ll enjoy against a unit with the second-most sacks in the league. The Bengals allowed seven against the New York Jets in Week 1. Dalton was only sacked once against the Steelers, but was kept under duress most of the day.

The Bengals should just shade a tight affair, but they’ll do it despite a dominant display from the Denver defense.

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