Over/under: 51
Falcons Implied Team Total: 28
Bengals Implied Team Total: 23
There are many reasons to attack this game. For one, it's possible that most fantasy players don't associate the Cincinnati Bengals with high-scoring shootouts. For our purposes, that's just fine. Since Bill Lazor took over as offensive coordinator in Week 3 last year, the Bengals have scored 30 points or more five times. This year, every game the Bengals have played in has combined for more than 51 points. Taking on the high-powered Atlanta Falcons offense in a dome, this game absolutely projects as a shootout.
Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
FanDuel Price: $7,400
This one is pretty straightforward. The Falcons have allowed 67 points across their last two home games, playing without difference-making linebacker Deion Jones and safety Keanu Neal. Now Atlanta's other starting safety Ricardo Allen is done for the year. This banged-up defense ranks bottom-ten in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play, while Cincinnati ranks top-ten offensively. Since Bill Lazor took the offensive reigns, Dalton is third in the league in passing touchdowns, behind Russell Wilson and Tom Brady. If A.J. Green (groin) is healthy, then Andy Dalton is a cinch cash play and viable GPP option as well.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
FanDuel Price: $5,800
Even at what projects to be medium ownership, this stack makes all the sense in the world. Tyler Boyd checks in as the PPR WR19 so far this year and is in the midst of a classic third-year wide receiver breakout. Not only is the price appealing for someone running over 60% of his routes in the slot, but the matchup is too. We've already discussed the Falcons' injuries to speedy middle-of-the-field playmakers, but the best cornerback matchup is against Brian Poole on the interior. Out of 109 qualifiers, Poole is Pro Football Focus' 94th-ranked cornerback so far this year.
Others to Consider
We were on Matt Ryan ($8,100) last week in a potential shootout at home, which certainly paid off. While the matchup is tougher and his price has risen by $400, he's still firmly in play as a high-floor, high-ceiling quarterback with explosive weapons and an injured defense. It's impossible for Julio Jones ($8,600) not to be in play in a potential home shootout, but it's worth pointing out that Bengals corner William Jackson III is really good. He doesn't typically shadow, but his presence alone makes Julio a little less safe in cash.
The sneakiest GPP play here is, gulp, Austin Hooper ($5,000). He's already cheap and attached to one of the highest team totals of the weekend while also quietly having three end zone targets through three games. Cincy allowed the ninth-most FanDuel points to tight ends last year and has followed it up this year by allowing the third-most points to the position despite facing the Ravens and Panthers the last two weeks. With Vontaze Burfict out one more game on suspension, Hooper is a legit GPP option at a position some choose to punt anyway.
Everyone and their grandmother will be trying to chase Calvin Ridley's ($6,200) monster performance last week. The kid can obviously play, but it feels a bit point-chasey to go after him here. It's nice to see his targets rise but he's nothing more than a GPP stacking option.
A.J. Green ($8,500) is tough to write up this early in the week as he left last week's game with a groin injury and never returned. The Bengals were down two scores, however, so we'll need to wait for the practice reports. A groin injury makes him too risky for cash, but it also means his GPP ownership could be lower than average.
This game truly is sneaky when we consider the three legitimate options remaining. Tevin Coleman ($7,200) disappointed in a great spot last week, which means lowered ownership in another great spot. Christian McCaffrey ran circles around this Bengals run defense which will still be missing Burfict. Giovani Bernard ($6,400) is a cinch play if Joe Mixon is out again, viable in both cash and GPPs given his combination of price and volume.
Last but not least, Tyler Eifert ($4,600) is really cheap. Cheaper than his own teammate C.J. Uzomah, in fact. Eifert just set season highs in snap% (71%), targets (8) and routes run (31). He's an ideal GPP option with such strong touchdown upside, especially if Green sits.