Monday November 16, 2015
Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals

It is not likely that this game is going to be overly competitive. Still, there are plenty of big time fantasy options tonight. Many matchups will be won and lost tonight. We also get to watch J.J. Watt torment Andy Dalton for a few hours. Although, the Bengals seemed to have gotten over their prime time meltdowns in their Thursday night game, I’m still not completely comfortable with them. With that said, I will cautiously be trusting them. They have a ton of big time weapons and a very talented defense.

Houston Texans: Key Players
QB Brian Hoyer
In all reality, almost all of these Texans in this article are simply spot fillers. They have no viable quarterback, running backs or tight ends. There is nothing to like about Hoyer. He’s just not very good. If not for Ryan Mallett lacking all leadership and good teammate qualities, Hoyer may not even be the starter on that team.
Verdict: Sit Hoyer. He lost his job to Mallet like three times this season. Need I say more?

RB Alfred Blue
I went with Blue because I guess he’s the best of their three option. Maybe. Without Arian Foster, this offense and backfield is a nightmare. They run a three-man committee and none of them are any good.
Verdict: Sit Blue. The bottom line is, the Bengals’ defense is much better than the Texans’ rushing attack. It’s as simple as that.

WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins is the one shining light in the bottomless dark pit of despair which is the Texans’ offense. Despite having everything working against him, he is still one of the best receivers in the league. Hopkins is right up there with Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and A.J. Green.
Verdict: Start Hopkins. He’s matchup proof. He’s as good an option as anyone in the game.

Cincinnati Bengals: Key Players
QB Andy Dalton
Dalton has been unbelievable this season. The fact that this game is on Monday Night Football and Watt is lurking on the other side of his line is concerning. However, this is a great matchup and he’s been tremendous. Plus, if you’ve waited to this point your only other possible option would be Hoyer.
Verdict: Start Dalton. He should have a monster game. Should.

RB Giovani Bernard
Bernard has been the superior back in Cincy this season. A lot of that is the fact that surprisingly, he not Jeremy Hill is getting the garbage time work to kill out the clock. Hill fumbled early in the season and the coaches haven’t trusted him since. Gio has far outperformed my expectations of him.
Verdict: Start Bernard. He’s a solid option with a great matchup. He’s almost a must-start in PPR leagues.

RB Jeremy Hill
Hill has been a major disappointment this season. Still, I believe he’s going to blow up down the stretch. This could be a breakout game for him. Who better to break out against than the team every running back breaks out against?
Verdict: Start Hill. There are plenty of fantasy points to go around for the RBs in Cincy. They should have a big lead in the second half.

WR A.J. Green
Green is every bit as good as Hopkins. He’s as talented as any receiver in the NFL. Dalton is spreading the ball around a lot more this season. However, he is more than capable of having a ridiculous game.
Verdict: Start Green. He’s a special player and is a must-start whenever he’s not being covered by Joe Haden.

TE Tyler Eifert
Eifert has been a breakout star this season and he’s not going away anytime soon. He already has nine TD receptions this season. The young TE is developing into one of the league’s most elite red zone options.

Verdict: Start Eifert. He may be second only to Gronk at this point. It’s him or Greg Olsen.

Final Score
Houston: 13
Cincinnati: 38

Best Play
Texans: DeAndre Hopkins
Bengals: A.J. Green

Sleeper
Marvin Jones