Monday December 28, 2015
Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos

We don’t expect fantasy points to be in abundance in this game. These are two very good defenses and two backup quarterbacks who we really don’t fully trust yet, not against these defenses at least. There were certainly a ton of tough decisions to make heading into the final game of most Fantasy seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals: Key Players
QB A.J. McCarron
McCarron hasn’t been awful, but the Broncos’ defense has been great with the exception of last week. Nonetheless, we are throwing last week out the window because McCarron is no Ben Roethlisberger. We just can’t see how he can get it done against this defense.
Verdict: Sit McCarron. This defense is way too tough for a backup QB. Although, we would have benched Andy Dalton too.

RB Jeremy Hill
Hill has been up and down this season. The numbers would lead you to believe that the Broncos aren’t quite as good against the run. However, every time I start a RB against Denver, they do awful. So, hopefully you left him out of your lineup this week.
Verdict: Sit Hill. With no respect for the quarterback, the Broncos can probably take out the rushing attack with ease.

RB Giovani Bernard
Gio has some PPR value, but the Broncos have the linebackers to match up with him. Brandon Marshall is great at covering running backs out of the backfield. This is a tough matchup for Bernard.
Verdict: Sit Bernard. Again, we just hate this matchup. It’s not favorable for anyone in this offense.

WR A.J. Green
Last time at this point in the season, many fantasy owners were relying on Green. Monday night, Week 16 against the Broncos. Green managed zero catches and killed the hopes of many a fantasy team. He should score more than zero points this year, but not much more.
Verdict: Sit Green. They are going to completely take him out of the game.

Denver Broncos: Key Players
QB Brock Osweiler
Osweiler hasn’t been great, he’s simply been better than Peyton Manning. Let’s be honest, that’s not all that impressive at this point. In six games, he’s thrown more TDs than interceptions twice.
Verdict: Sit Osweiler. He’s a decent quarterback, but the Bengals defense is very talented on all levels. The front seven will get at him and the secondary makes plays.

RB: Ronnie Hillman
Hillman and C.J. Anderson are pretty much interchangeable any given week. We went with Hillman because it doesn’t matter. We aren’t starting either of them against the Bengals defense. Not that you can’t run on Cincy, I just don’t think they can run on Cincy.
Verdict: Sit Hillman. We don’t even trust these guys with a great matchup.

WR Demaryius Thomas
Thomas hasn’t been good this season. Statistically he’s still good, but he’s made a ton of bad plays and is dropping passes at a miserable rate. He actually leads the league with 10 drops this season. While the numbers are still there from a fantasy perspective, he’s going to have Pacman Jones on him with help. That’s tough.
Verdict: Sit Thomas. He will not be shut down completely. Nonetheless, if he doesn’t catch a TD pass, we don’t love his value. He probably maxes out at 60 yards this week.

WR Emmanuel Sanders
We saved the best for last. When everything has gone wrong in Denver, Sanders has been the one reliable guy. When a big play needs to be made, he’s been clutch and the guy there to make it.
Verdict: Start Sanders. The Broncos are going to make some clutch plays and Sanders will be the man to make them.

Final Score
Cincinnati: 10
Denver: 13

Best Play
Bengals: Jeremy Hill
Broncos: Emmanuel Sanders

Sleeper
Owen Daniels