The AFC North looks to be a two horse race with both Cleveland and Baltimore sinking into the afterthought abyss. This Sunday’s tilt between the Bengals and Steelers in Pittsburgh is huge and could decide which of these teams ultimately takes home division honors at season’s end. Let’s dig into this matchup and see how the fantasy head-to-head matchups between Andy Dalton, Ben Roethlisberger, A.J. Green and Antonio Brown could pan out.
Andy Dalton has been a tough nut to crack for fantasy footballers ever since taking over the reins in Cincinnati. He’ll come out one week and throw for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns, but follow it up with an egg the following week with 180 yards passing, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.
That has not been the case in 2015. The “Red Rocket” ranks amongst the top 5 fantasy quarterbacks through the first seven weeks of the season, and he gets the benefit of running up against the Steelers refreshed and reenergized as the leader of an undefeated team.
Pittsburgh ranks No. 18 against the quarterback position in allowing an average of 22.7 fantasy points per game – 1.3 points per game higher than the league average. The Steelers have been much better defending the run, so this certainly looks to be another game for Dalton to showcase his right arm with his opponent already allowing 11 touchdown passes.
While it’s still yet to be official, it looks as if Big Ben will make his return under center after a 4-week hiatus. If he does make an earlier return than expected, fantasy owners of Steelers’ position players will be able to breathe a bit easier than they have with Michael Vick and Landry Jones leading the charge over the last month.
Before succumbing to injury, Roethlisberger was tearing things up lighting the Patriots and 49ers up for a combined 720 yards and 4 touchdowns with only one interception thrown. Cincy has only given up 8 touchdown passes through the air, but they allow 261.5 passing yards per game – No. 21 – and are just below league average against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy points allowed.
Even though Big Ben combined for 667 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and only 1 interception in these rival’s pair of meetings last season, I’m not sure how he’s going to react in his first game back off a scary injury. Dalton has been nothing but consistent all season long, and should thrive versus the Steelers’ porous secondary. If he’s getting any points in this Fantasy H2H match-up, I’d take ‘em.
FANTASY H2H MATCHUP PICK: Andy Dalton
A.J. Green has not reeled in a touchdown reception since snagging a pair in his best fantasy output of the season back in Week 3 against the Ravens pathetic secondary. Overall, A.J. has frustrated his season-long and DFS backers. That aforementioned game was the only he’s surpassed 100+ receiving yards in, but he’s fared well versus Pittsburgh throughout his career.
In two meetings last season, the Bengals WR1 combined for 19 receptions, 306 yards and 1 touchdown. The Steelers are conceding a healthy 276.9 passing yards per game and rank No. 20 in defending wide receivers allowing 38.4 FPPG – 2.2 points worse than league average.
With the Steelers more readily able to shut down opposing ground games, it’s likely this is a game that showcases Cincy’s aerial attack. Look for Green to be at the center of it all.
Antonio Brown got out to a lightning fast start to his 2015 campaign reeling in 29 receptions with two going for scores and racking up at least 108 yards through three games. Then Big Ben got hurt.
Fantasy players knew right then and there Brown was going to struggle to play to his top 5 ranking with whoever settled in under center. In the next three games, Brown combined for just 11 receptions and 111 yards with no touchdowns. He was able to come out of his shell a bit more last week with Landry Jones reeling in 6 receptions for 124 yards.
He’s Roethlisberger’s favorite target, and with that, I fully expect Big Ben to look to his security blanket more often than not as he settles back in under center. He had a streak of 35-straight games with at least 5 receptions and 50 yards snapped once Ben went down to injury.
I expect this dynamic duo to get back to business against a Bengals pass “D” that gives up an average of 261.5 passing yards per game at 7.3 yards per attempt. Never knowing when Green will show up makes picking the winner of this fantasy H2H matchup all the more easier. I’m going with consistency over history.
FANTASY H2H MATCHUP PICK: Antonio Brown
Along with full game, halftime and live wagering, Fantasy H2H matchups offer another exciting way to wager on the games throughout the 2015 NFL season. With limits as high as $500 per matchup, you can put your fantasy knowledge to use and add to your bottom line!
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