Cincinnati Bengals: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for Week 4 vs. Jaguars

Start ‘Em – Joe Mixon

I’ll admit I am hesitant to call Joe Mixon a start this week. It’s nothing to do with the prowess of Jacksonville’s defense, as they are a little short in the prowess department thus far in 2021. No, rather what concerns me is the 19 touches Mixon had on Sunday against Pittsburgh. Mixon doesn’t handle 19 touches the way some players would.

Instead of ducking out of bounds, Mixon initiates contact, so 19 touches for Mixon is like being in 19 little car wrecks. The dude is gonna be sore. My natural thought process is to fade guys coming off heavy workloads, into short weeks. I’m going against that thought process this week. Even though Jacksonville is coming off a decent game defensively against Arizona, they are very beatable on the ground.

Have I mentioned this is a primetime game? At home? The Bengals also unveil the new Ring of Honor. With a chance to go 3-1 to start the season, remain in first place, and change the national narrative as well, the Jungle should be raucous, and Mixon definitely feeds off the crowd.

Considering his competitive nature, everything at stake, and a chance for Mixon to shine before a nationwide audience, I expect the Bengals running back to be more than up to the task, even on a short week.

Start Mixon.

Prediction: 17 carries, 105 yards; 4 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD