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As we head into Week 15, there are three NFL games scheduled for Saturday, December 16. The contest featured in this article could certainly have some serious impact on fantasy football matchups. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Vikings vs. Bengals game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS.
This matchup features a pair of teams that were expected to be serious playoff contenders ahead of the season but have each dealt with extensive injuries to some of their biggest stars. While the squads started 2023 with Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins at the helm of their respective offenses, this Week 15 matchup will feature Jake Browning and Nick Mullens under center.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 15 matchups. Good luck, RotoBallers!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: Bengals -3.5
Implied Total: Vikings (18.5) vs. Bengals (22)
Pace: Vikings (6th) vs. Bengals (30th)
Vikings Off. DVOA: 12.2% Pass (17th), -20.5% Rush (30th)
Bengals Off. DVOA: 17.3% Pass (15th), -5.0% Rush (17th)
Vikings Def. DVOA: -4.7% Pass (7th), -16.1% Rush (5th)
Bengals Def. DVOA: 8.9% Pass (17th), 1.0% Rush (27th)
WEATHER: Partly sunny with a high near 55 degrees. Very slight chance of rain with wind at 5-9 mph.
Matchups We Love
The offense's identity has shifted with Joe Burrow sidelined, particularly during the past two weeks where they've run the ball 31 and 32 times, compared to 39 and 25 passing attempts. It's allowed both Mixon and Chase Brown to coexist. Brown took a short screen pass 54 yards to the house. He finished with 11 touches, but that didn't stop Mixon from having 24 of his own. Additionally, Mixon had six rushing attempts inside the 10-yard line, one of which he scored on, compared to none for Brown, while the targets were four to three in favor of Mixon. Brown's contributions to the offense are not impacting Mixon's. It'll be a tougher matchup this week, but he remains a top-15 back with Brown as an upside flex option.
4) Joe Mixon over 14.5 rushing attempts.
Mixon’s had 14 or more rushing attempts in five of his last seven games.
Despite Chase Brown's spectacular plays over the last few weeks, Mixon has a stranglehold on the starting job.pic.twitter.com/lYVcD7MV0h
— Moody (@EricNMoody) December 16, 2023
Ty Chandler (RB, MIN)
Alexander Mattison was leading the backfield in touches again before suffering an ankle injury. It opened the door for Chandler, who handled 15 touches. The output wasn't great but when the offense, which is dealing with injuries to their O-line, barely cracks 200 yards, no one is going to perform. The Bengals rank 26th in EPA per rush allowed, 27th in defensive run DVOA, and 30th in rushing yards per attempt allowed. With Mattison out, it makes Chandler a solid flex option with top-24 upside if the offense shows up.
Matchups We Hate
Jake Browning
Browning has been balling out, scoring with his arm and legs for the past two weeks. He's capitalized on the screen passes and easy matchups. Unfortunately, he now gets the Vikings, who've been the sixth-toughest matchup for quarterbacks over the past six weeks. He's a desperation streamer.
Other Matchups
Vikings WRs
After what seemed like the offense hit rock bottom in Week 12 against the Bears, they lowered the bar a few more notches in a pitiful 3-0 win over the Raiders. They were forced to bench Joshua Dobbs, who struggled, turning to Nick Mullens. Mullens has since been named the starter for Week 15, which is more of a neutral move at this point. Justin Jefferson returned just long enough to tease fantasy managers before taking a huge hit across the middle of the field. He was ruled out and taken to the hospital with a chest injury. He returned to practice and is listed as questionable for Saturday's game. If he's out there, he'll be tough to bench but his ceiling is capped by the offense and his risk of re-injury exists. It's best to avoid Jordan Addison at this point.
Justin Jefferson managers rejoice - he said he will be playing on Saturday
Injuries be damned, if JJ plays football, you start him in fantasy
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 13, 2023
T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN)
Hockenson managed to salvage some value, hauling in five passes for 53 yards. He's the No. 1 option when Jefferson is out and No. 2 when he's in, so he remains a top-12 tight end, but the elite upside has evaporated.
Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN)
With the backfield earning a 28% target share and no one exceeding four targets, it was a rough day for Chase. Part of it was the positive game script they had in the second half, but despite the success Jake Browning has had, the ceiling is still lower for Chase with him at the helm. He'll be more volatile but remains a top-20 receiver against an improved Minnesota defense. Tee Higgins remains a riskier flex option.
Notable Injuries
Justin Jefferson (knee) - Questionable/Expected to Play
Alexander Mattison (ankle) - OUT
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