The Cincinnati Bengals plan to use Jeremy Hill as the starter Week 4 over Giovani Bernard despite the running back dealing with some fumbling issues. Bernard remains a solid fantasy football handcuff option, while players like Tyler Eifert and AJ Green are the best starter options for Andy Dalton in Week 4.
Hill is the main starter for the Bengals after breaking out last season, but in Week 2 he was benched against the Chargers after fumbling multiple times. Hill was taken out of the game for Bernard and Bernard made the most of his chance, putting up over 100 yards and that could make him a solid fantasy handcuff moving forward. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said that the team plans on starting Hill moving forward, even with his fumbling issues.
The Bengals gave Bernard more snaps in Week 3 and moving forward fantasy owners of both players should keep an eye on how the splits are done on offense. Hill played in just 26 offensive snaps in Week 3 and while that isn't a referendum on him starting, fantasy owners should be aware of how the Bengals are using their RBs. Hill had just 21 rushing yards in the game and moving forward he should get more carries. Following Hill getting pushed back in Week 3, Marvin Lewis said that Hill does in fact remain the starter despite the snap counts, but that "when we're behind, it's Gio."
Bernard is a better pass-catching option out of the backfield and he is a good PPR starter for fantasy football owners. Hill has 123 yards on 41 carries this season and he is a good starter option moving forward even with the fumbling problems. Hill had a big year as a rookie with 1124 yards and nine touchdowns and the team will continue using him as the lead back. Bernard has 235 rushing yards this season and is leading the Bengals and he has also added 12 catches for 75 yards.
AJ Green had a huge game last week and was named offensive player of the week for the AFC after putting up 10 catches for 227 yards and two TDs. This season Green has 18 catches for 335 yards and he remains one of the most consistent fantasy options in the league. Tyler Eifert had a bad game in Week 3 with zero catches, but he remains a solid fantasy tight end this season. Eifert has 13 catches for 153 yards and three TDs in his other two games and is a solid TE2 or low end TE1 option.
The Bengals have a tough stretch of games coming up with the Chiefs, Seahawks, Bills and Steelers, but they should get Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger. The Bengals have the inside track in the AFC Central and they get the next two games at home after winning over the Ravens. The team could take advantage of a Chiefs team that did not look good on Monday night and the Bengals also could surprise the Seahawks the following week. Andy Dalton has been playing well and the defense will have to step up over this next stretch.
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