The Bengals allowed 34 points and 291 total yards to the Patriots in Week 15's loss.

Analysis: The Bengals' defense wasn't entirely to blame, as Andy Dalton threw a pick-six as well. In fact, the Bengals have shown some potential lately, holding the Raiders, Steelers and Jets under 17 points each, combining for 10 sacks and three turnovers in that stretch. The Dolphins are on par with that trio, as Ryan Fitzpatrick is sacked on 8.1 percent of dropbacks and throws a pick on 2.9 percent of attempts -- both are the eighth-most in the league. Let's be clear, this is a high-risk unit, and…read more

The Bengals allowed 27 points and 333 total yards to the Browns in Week 14's loss.

Analysis: They also forced two turnovers -- their third multi-turnover performance of the year. However, any upside is essentially extinguished against the Patriots, as Tom Brady is sacked on just 4.4 percent of dropbacks (fifth) while throwing a pick on 1.3 percent of passes (seventh). The Patriots still have struggled offensively lately, but without a reward on the other side, it's not worth taking on this risk.

The Bengals held the Jets to six points and 271 total yards in Week 13's win,

Analysis: The Bengals' defense has featured some semblance of life lately by holding the Raiders, Steelers and Jets below 20 points each. There's not much of fantasy upside, as the unit ranks 30th in both sacks (20) and turnovers (10). The Browns, on the other hand, don't offer a favorable matchup with their considerable amount of weapons and just three turnovers over the past five weeks. Sure, they would've been a reasonable pickup over the past three contests, but this is the playoffs. Don't go…read more

The Bengals allowed 16 points and forced a turnover in Week 11's loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: Keeping Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges to just 16 points is nothing to hang your hat on, and the Bengals will now host the red-hot Jets. QB Sam Darnold has led the charge with 9.4 YPA and a 7:1 TD:INT ratio over the last four games, as the Jets have put up 34 points in each effort. Darnold was sacked five times during that stretch, and the Jets coughed up the football just three times. The Jets actually looks legit after a horrid start, and the Bengals lack upside to make them a worthy stream,…read more

The Bengals forced two turnovers and held the Raiders to 17 points in Week 11's loss.

Analysis: This was Cincinnati's best defensive performance of the year, as it held an opponent under 20 points for the first time while posting its first multi-turnover outing since Week 3. Steelers QB Mason Rudolph has struggled lately, and now he'll be without center Maurkice Pouncey (suspension) while top receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion/knee) and Diontae Johnson (concussion) have uncertain statuses for this contest. Rudolph has been irresponsible with the ball this year, throwing eight…read more

The Bengals forced a turnover in Week 10's 49-13 loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: The Bengals have let up at least 21 points in every game this season, and there ceiling provides little to no reward for taking this risk, as they've made 10 sacks and forced seven turnovers over nine games. It doesn't help that they're rolling out rookie QB Ryan Finley under center, and he accounted for two of three turnovers during the loss to the Ravens. There's no sign of this unit getting better, and it's allowed a league-high 173.0 YPG on the ground. That won't cut it against Raiders' RB…read more