Week 3 brings a fascinating non-conference showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams enter with plenty of fantasy-relevant stars and some question marks that could swing matchups in season-long leagues. Let’s break it down from a fantasy perspective and figure out who you should start and who you should sit in this friendly Midwestern clash.
Jake Browning, Ja’Marr Chase & Co. vs the Interception-less Vikings Defense – Huge game for PPR Leagues
Start ‘EM
Jake Browning, QB, Bengals
Dear Minnesota Vikings front office, Browning is back! It seems like the Vikings cannot get away from a guy they cut three times after signing him as a free agent back in 2019. Browning is back and looks to beat them again, just as he did back in 2023 when he took over for Burrow after being injured.
Browning will be more than serviceable, throwing for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against the Jags, stepping in to replace Joe Burrow. Look for Browning to have a big week as the Vikings’ Defense has not picked off an opposing Quarterback since last winter. Start him confidently; he makes good decisions.
Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings
Aaron Jones just hit Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, meaning Mason will see the bulk of the work. This offense is struggling with a young QB and will need to rely on Mason to open up the pass game. Etienne and Tuten both had big games against the Bengals this year, scoring 15 points each. Expect the Vikings to control the game and feed him early for a spark to avoid having to come back from a big deficit late in the game.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, WR Bengals
The Battle of the Best Griddy Continues
Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
As mentioned above, the Vikings’ Defense has not picked off a QB yet this season, and does not have corners that can hold up with this duo all game. The Vikings offense is struggling, turning the ball over a ton, which should lead to more opportunities to put up big numbers in consecutive weeks, which will bode well in PPR leagues.
JJETTAS will not be outdone by his former college teammate, no matter who is throwing him the ball. So far this season, he has seen 6.5 targets per game, resulting in 7 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD while averaging 18 yards per catch. The Bengals D gave up close to 300 yards to Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars last week, with 12 targets going to Brian Thomas Jr. Let’s hope Carson Wentz can show up well in the Battle of the Backups
Chase Brown, RB Bengals
Expect the Bengals to try to exploit the Vikings’ weak run defense. Brown is averaging close to 20 touches per game with 1 TD. Expect him to carry the ball at least 15 to 20 times this week with a score. Bijan Robinson tore through the Vikes’ Defense last week for 143 yards on 22 carries, and the Bears combined for 119 yards on 26 attempts in Week 1. Brown will have success this Sunday vs this defense, Count on it.
Honorable Mention
Jalen Nailor, WR Vikings
IF you are in a deep league with multiple flex options, Nailor would be my pick. JJETTAS gets a lot of attention, and Hockenson’s target share is way down in this offense. Nailor possesses explosive play ability while averaging 10 yards per catch last week. Nailor is licking his chops after seeing the success multiple Jags receivers had last week.
Sit EM’
Carson Wentz, QB, Vikings
Carson Wentz is more than a serviceable backup, BUT, this will be his first meaningful start since 2022. The matchup vs. the Cincy Defense is ideal, BUT Wentz has struggled mightily in his last two starts, averaging less than 7 yards per pass. His success will depend on how well the run game opens things up for him on the back end.
The Bengals TEs
Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki are both excellent pass catchers. But it is too hard to decide on which one to start. Fant and Gesicki had 4 targets each last week, combining for less than 50 yards against the Jaguars. Vikings’ Safety Josh Metellus has done very well in coverage this year against opposing TEs; not much will change this week.
TJ Hockenson TE, Vikings
Maybe this is the week for Hockenson to bounce back… Most likely not. Two lackluster performances and low target share should be worrisome for Hockenson’s outlook this year, especially with Jordan Addison’s expected return from suspension next week.
The Vikings Defense
The Vikings are still figuring things out as a ball club. Two abysmal performances averaging less than 7 fantasy points per game are not good. The run game has been shredded twice with zero interceptions. Their offense consistently puts them in bad situations with turnovers. That is a bad recipe to start the season. We could see the Griddy early and often if this defense fails to contain Chase and Higgins and continues to give up big chunks on the ground, as they have done in weeks 1 and 2. Sit until further notice.
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