Monday Showdown Week 8

Photo: Aaron Doster, USA Today Sports

Disclaimer

These contests are intended to be fun as you’re watching the game. It’s incredibly difficult to get a real edge as there are so few options, and in MME contests, there are often many duplicate lineups. One play or one penalty can change the entire outcome of the game.

Game Strategy

JaMarr Chase's injury is a blow to not only the Bengals offense but to all football fans around the world. Still, Joe Burrow is rolling right now, and the Browns defense is extremely banged up and already one of the worst units in the league. Lineups should be centered around Burrow and the Bengals offense in this one.

INJURY REPORT

• JaMarr Chase OUT
• David Njoku OUT
• Wyatt Teller (Browns G) OUT
• Denzel Ward (Browns CB) OUT
• Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Browns LB) Questionable
• Greg Newsome (Browns CB) Questionable
• Greedy Williams (Browns CB) Questionable

Captain Consideration:

1. Joe Burrow
2. Tee Higgins
3. Joe Mixon
4. Nick Chubb

Cincinnati Bengals

QUARTERBACK

Joe Burrow - Captain/Flex

Joe Burrow is absolutely cooking, and although the loss of JaMarr Chase is massive, it shouldn't affect Burrow too much in this favorable matchup against a banged-up and bad Browns defense that ranks 29th in EPA/Play Allowed, 24th in Dropback EPA Allowed, and 14th in Success Rate. Burrow's Bengals rank eighth in EPA/Play, 17th in Success Rate, third in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE), and fourth in Early Down Pass Frequency Rate (EDPF). And Cincinnati's offense has been extremely pass-heavy over the past two weeks, with a 21% rate in Week 6 and a 25% rate in Week 7. Without Chase, expect this offense to revert back to a more balanced approach but even so, Burrow remains the best Captain choice in this game.

Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End

Tee Higgins - Captain/Flex

Without JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins becomes the #1 wide receiver and absolute pass-catching alpha in this Bengals offense paired with Joe Burrow. That's a recipe for success, especially with such a talented player like Higgins. Chase leaves 10.6 targets per game up for grabs, and Higgins projects to absorb the majority of those in a favorable matchup. And after an injury scares a few weeks ago, Higgins has played on 86% and 84% of the offensive snaps in the past two games. There is no injury concern with Higgins in this one.