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After a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Chiefs, the Bengals have won the AFC North! While they do have an outside chance of the #1 seed, they will need the Titans and Kansas City to lose, despite the fact that both are double-digit favorites this week. Thus, they have little to play for this week.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has already been ruled out, and it wouldn't be a surprise if others also don't play. If your fantasy season is still taking place or you are playing daily fantasy, the status of members of one of the league's top offenses is critical.
With that in mind, let us take a look at running back Joe Mixon. Is Mixon playing this week, and is his backup, Samaje Perine, worth starting?
Is Joe Mixon Playing This Week Against the Browns?
With Joe Burrow resting, there would be reason to believe that Joe Mixon wouldn't play as well. Now, that call won't be in the Bengals' hands, as Joe Mixon was placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday:
I'm not sure Mixon would have played anyway, but he certainly won't play now. He'll finish the season with 1,205 yards, an 82.3 PFF rushing grade, and 3.09 yards after contact/attempt. Don't be surprised if he's a consensus first-round pick in fantasy drafts next year.
Is Samaje Perine Worth Starting in Week 18?
In Mixon's place, Samae Perine will be the lead back for the Bengals. With 4.5 yards/rush attempt, a 69.3 PFF rushing grade, and 4.02 yards after contact/attempt, he's been a quality runner when given his chances this season. In fact, he's been often cited as one of the league's best handcuffs, and has often taken the long-down distance work from Mixon.
Thus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Perine receive a three-down workload. Plus, with Burrow out, it's likely we see a run-heavy approach from Cincinnati against the Browns. The volume on its own helps get him into low-end RB2 status, though is there potential for more?
Sadly, I don't believe so. The Bengals offense could struggle mightily with the backups playing, meaning that touchdown opportunities could be scarce. The Browns rank fifth in yards/play allowed, so we shouldn't expect Cincinnati to put up many points. Add in the fact that the team may want to see what they have in sixth-round rookie Chris Evans in the receiving game, and Perine's ceiling is quite limited. If possible, I'd look elsewhere for a starting running back, and would avoid him in daily fantasy lineups.
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