While I don’t remember much of the game (due to an absurd amount of $10 stadium beers) that win was HUGE! The Chargers were considered one of the most smokin’ hot teams in the league. Justin Herbert had been performing sensationally. Austin Ekeler had been playing like a stud, per usual, and Mike Williams has been producing an insane break-out season. Well, the Ravens were able to put all of that on hold in their dominant Week 6 win. Hopefully, the momentum and confidence gained after that stunning performance can carry over to this week’s game against an equally hot Bengals team.
We must have channeled some of that Ravens dominance over to the fantasy world, after we hit nearly EVERY pick last week! We are catching fire along with the Ravens and we need to keep it going this week because it is the Byepocolypse! The amount of fantasy-relevant players and teams on byes is an utter nightmare so we gotta be and we’re gonna be on point this week!
Ravens-Bengals Fantasy Outlook
Start Em’
Mark Andrews
We’re goin back to Mandrews again this week! The Lamar-to-Andrews connection has been unstoppable as of late and that should continue against the Bengals. The Bengals have been performing above expectations on both sides of the ball this season and I expect this to be a tightly-contested game. Lamar is going to rely heavily on Andrews, as he is a mismatch against this defense with his rare combination of size and speed. The Bengals pass rush isn’t anything to be afraid of so Lamar should have enough time in the pocket to find Andrews often, as the Ravens will need to get ahead early in this one. The Bengals rank 16th in pass defense and Andrews has accrued a massive target share. He has received nearly a 24% target share and is targeted 26% of the time in the red zone. For reference, that is 11% higher than the league’s top tight end, Travis Kelce.
Ja’Marr Chase
The connection between Joe Burrow and Chase hasn’t changed a bit since they played together at LSU. Burrow has targeted Chase on 24% of his passes and I am sure that each and every one of us have experienced his fantasy dominance. In this division matchup, Burrow and Chase will need to be on top of their game. The Bengals are 6.5-point underdogs and if the Bengals are going to keep up, it will be delivered by stud rookie Ja’Marr Chase. The game script is there and the Bengals always turn up the intensity against Baltimore.
Streamin’ around the league
Quarterback
Matt Ryan
After putting up two straight 20+ fantasy point performances, Ryan should have yet another solid performance against a struggling and injury-riddled Dolphins team. The Dolphins pass defense is bottom-six in the league and has allowed the 23rd most fantasy points to fantasy QBs this season. With their top two CB’s Xavien Howard and Byron Jones both hampered with injuries and questionable to play, Ryan should have no problem shredding this defense up. Especially with the return of uber-talented receiver Calvin Ridley. The game script could potentially be perfect as well with the return of Tua, who is plenty capable of taking advantage of the Falcons 30th ranked pass defense.
Running Back
Damien Harris
I am starting Harris everywhere I can this week. Harris just put up 17 fantasy points in his comeback performance against Dallas and he is gonna keep it going against the Jets defense, which has given up the 5th most fantasy points to RBs thus far. The Patriots are seven-point favorites so Harris should have plenty of opportunities as the Patriots try to chew the clock.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle
The rookie sensation was targeted 13 times in Tua’s return last week, resulting in a monstrous 24 fantasy points to the tune of 13 targets, 10 receptions for 70 yards and two TDs. Waddle is one of, if not, Tua’s favorite target (21% target share, 28% red zone target share). Waddle will have the privilege of shredding the Falcons 30th ranked pass defense that has given up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing WR’s and with Devante Parker likely sidelined this week, there is no situation I can think of other than an injury where Waddle doesn’t put up a second consecutive solid fantasy performance.
Tight End
Zach Ertz
This is a bold call to rely on Ertz in his debut as a Cardinal, but there are few options during the Byepocolypse and desperate times call for desperate measures. Ertz has had a solid season thus far as an Eagle and now plays alongside Kyler Murray, who has lost his top tight end (and former Raven) Maxx Williams. Ertz will have a chance to shine in his debut against a horrid Texans team that ranks 5th worst in pass defense and has given up the most fantasy points per game in the league. The game script likely wont call for a pass heavy game for the Cardinals, but they may prioritize getting Ertz the ball in his debut and the matchup couldn’t be better.
Fire & Ice
Fire Squad
QB: Matthew Stafford
RB: Damien Harris
WR: Calvin Ridley
TE: Darren Waller
Ice Squad
QB: Daniel Jones
RB: Damien Williams/Khalil Herbert
WR: Terry McLaurin
TE: T.J. Hockenson
