Cincinnati Bengals: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for Week 2 vs. Bears

Start ‘Em – Andy Dalton, QB

I realize the amount of grief I am going to get over this because half the fan base thinks that Dany Dalton is worse than Akili Smith. However, as they say, ‘haters gonna hate’. Truth is, Dalton is a perfectly capable, game manager-type quarterback that on any given week could drop 325 and three scores. While I certainly hope it isn’t this week, I suspect it might be.

Kirk Cousins found ample opportunity against the Bengal secondary on Sunday by working mostly underneath stuff to his possession receivers. Chicago has one of the top possession type receivers in the league in Allen Robinson and the expectation is Dalton will feed him early and often.

With the Bengals once again without Trae Waynes of course, the game plan should be to pressure Dalton and attempt to confuse him. That should result in numerous completions to the middle of the field, and Dalton’s safety valve guys, namely his tight end and running backs.

While there shouldn’t be any downfield splash plays, as the Bengals generally did a good job guarding the deep ball last week, by games end it wouldn’t be shocking to see Dalton with 20-25 completions and approaching 300 yards passing.

If you are looking for a cheap DFS stack this week, Dalton and Darnell Mooney look pretty tasty, and Dalton can be streamed if you are in desperate need.

Prediction: 24-of-37, 327 yards, 3 TD, INT