The Cincinnati Bengals have Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard as solid fantasy start options for Week 8 and for owners Bernard might be the better pick, as he has been outplaying Hill at running back this season. Andy Dalton is having an MVP like season and that makes AJ Green, Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert strong picks for Week 8.
The Bengals are undefeated this season and they have a tough divisional game coming up against the Steelers for Week 8 after having a bye. The team could get a stranglehold on the division with a win over Pittsburgh and with the way Dalton and the offense are performing, they are the favorites for the game. Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return for the Steelers for this matchup and that would give the team a big boost coming in.
The Bengals have the passing offense going and they would like to get the running game going a bit more consistently moving forward. Jeremy Hill had a breakout season last year, but he has struggled this season and while he remains the starter, Giovani Bernard has been the better fantasy option for Cincy. Hill has 232 rushing yards this season and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said to the Cincinnati Enquirer that Hill "doesn't play like I want him to play yet."
Hill had more snaps than Bernard in Week 6, but overall Bernard has been the more productive running back. The two players have been splitting carries this season and both are still worth starting in fantasy leagues. Bernard is the better option for owners with both players as handcuffs, as he leads the team with 427 rushing yards and also adds value as a receiver out of the backfield. Bernard has 18 catches for 119 yards this season and is solid in PPR leagues. Hill is a better redzone option than Bernard, as he has six total TDs this season compared to two for Bernard.
AJ Green is always a great start option and he is having a great season for Andy Dalton, but fantasy owners should also look at Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert. Eifert is one of the league leaders with six touchdowns, while Jones comes in after putting up nine catches on 12 targets for 95 yards in his last game for the Bengals.
The Bengals also could get a boost on defense soon, as Vontaze Burfict is making progress and could be back at some point this season. According to ESPN.com, Burfict is returning to practice for the Bengals and it comes after he got some positive news from doctors about his knee injury. Burfict has been out after having surgery last year and he had been hoping to return by November 1 for the Bengals, according to Pro Football Talk.
Marvin Lewis said that the team will have Burfict back when he is "ready to play" and once he returns to practice, the team has three weeks to make a decision on him for the roster. Burfict was a Pro Bowl played back in 2013 and he played in five games last year before going out with a knee injury.