FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

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Prediction: CIN 17, JAC 13

Players to Watch: Andy Dalton

The 2-2 Bengals are one game out of first place in the AFC north and head to face the 1-3 Jaguars who are on a three game losing streak and unable to score more than one touchdown in a game. This could go either way but the Bengals are not only bringing the better defense, but their rookie quarterback has played better. This smacks of a low scoring affair which means a mistake could spell the difference.

QUARTERBACK: Andy Dalton has been naturally inconsistent but has played well in two of his three starts and losing to the 49ers is apparently no shame anymore. Dalton passed for 332 yards and two scores in Denver for his only other road game and he directed a comeback rally to beat the visiting Bills where he passed for 298 yards and one touchdown and rushed in a second score with four minutes remaining and drove for the winning field goal as time expired. He is still raw but has a good wideout and tight end he is using. With bye weeks approaching, he could be useful.

The Jaguars rank about average against quarterbacks and held the Saints to only 351 yards and one score but the Saints knew they could win that game. The Bengals know this is a fight and Dalton should end up with at least one score and possibly two.

RUNNING BACKS: Cedric Benson continues to wait for the disposition of his suspension appeal and is expected to be fine this week. His contention that he was not in the union or league at the time of his latest conflagration means "none of your damn business" and may be right. He cruised to 104 yards on 19 runs against the Bills but still only has the one touchdown from the season opener and on the road will be less productive.

The Jaguars have only allowed two rushing scores and just one to a visiting opponent. No runner has turned in more than 75 yards on them and Benson is likely to come in under that and without any catches as well. He's a marginal play on the road in any week.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The Jerome Simpson saga is still in quiet legal maneuvering and so he continues to play like someone punched the life out of him (though literally not yet). Simpson has only four catches for 32 yards in the two games since the pricey lawn clippings were found bagged up in his home. The only receiver of any note is still the rookie A.J. Green who has exceeded early expectations playing with a rookie quarterback no less. Green has two games over 100 yards in the last three weeks and only against the 49ers was he not a worthwhile fantasy start.

The Jaguars have been really good against wide receivers and only Kenny Britt had a big game which was largely from one catch back in the season opener. Green is only a moderate play this week - if he can top 70 yards it will be only the second wideout to manage it.

TIGHT ENDS: Jermaine Gresham is becoming a very valuable target for Dalton who has used him for four catches in each of the last two games. Against the 49ers, he had 51 yards and against Bills he went for 70 yards and a score. The Jaguars biggest weakness is against tight ends and have allowed three touchdowns to the position already along with two 100+ yard games for Dustin Keller and Jimmy Graham. Gresham is the best bet to score and have decent yardage for the Bengals.

Pregame Notes: The Jaguars are still struggling to find a passing game with the rookie under center and as team over four weeks, there have only been three touchdowns scored which makes the defense in a very bad position. In the last three games - all losses - the Jaguars have never scored a single point in the second half. They get a few points, the opponent adjusts at half time and it is over. With games like @PIT, BAL and @HOU looming next, it is going to be a long October.

QUARTERBACK: Two weeks as the starter and Blaine Gabbert has at least managed to throw one score in both games. He has not topped 200 passing yards yet and throws an interception every week but the learning curve is in place and Gabbert is slowly improving.

He faces the #3 defense against quarterbacks which makes it really tough. The Bengals have not allowed a passing score in two weeks now and no one has produced more than 213 yards. No reason to look here for a fantasy starter.

RUNNING BACKS: For an offense with little going for it currently, Maurice Jones-Drew is still a big contributor and has never gained less than 84 rush yards in a game. He is the only Jaguar with any real fantasy value and has been consistent if only with yardage.

The Bengals allowed a rushing touchdown in each of their last three games and are on the road. Jones-Drew is always worth a start and has a good shot at one touchdown this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS: This is as barren as you would expect for a team that cannot score. Mike Thomas has minor value with one touchdown in Carolina and 55+ yards in all but one game. But none of the others have scored or made any significant plays. Thomas is worthy of a bye week cover when he gets a really good matchup which may be a month away. Or more.

TIGHT ENDS : Marcedes Lewis has topped out at 38 yards in a game and even the one touchdown that ended up with a tight end went to Zach "the other" Miller. No real fantasy value here.

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