By admin 
The fantasy football choices surrounding Sunday’s Cincinnati Bengals-Miami Dolphins game begin with a simple rule: established Cincinnati playmakers belong in lineups if they are active, while most of Miami’s offense remains a matchup-dependent gamble.
Read more Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty listed as active vs. Patriots
Start Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati’s quarterback enters with 1,171 passing yards and seven touchdown passes through four games. Miami has struggled to control opposing offenses, and Burrow threw for 428 yards last week. Even with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins carrying questionable designations, Burrow’s volume and command of the offense make him the safest fantasy start in this matchup.
Start Chase and Higgins if active.
Chase practiced fully Friday as he worked back from a concussion. Higgins also returned to full participation after missing two practices with groin and neck injuries. Managers must check the inactive list, but either receiver carries weekly starting value when cleared. Higgins leads Cincinnati with 401 receiving yards, while Chase remains the player most capable of turning a short completion into a decisive gain.
Start Chase Brown as an RB2.
Cincinnati ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing offense, which lowers Brown’s ceiling, but he remains the lead back and should have scoring opportunities if the favored Bengals play from ahead. His receiving role also protects his floor in point-per-reception formats.
Consider Ollie Gordon II as a flex.
Miami’s rookie runner produced 100 yards and a touchdown on nine carries against Minnesota. With De’Von Achane on injured reserve and Jaylen Wright questionable, Gordon could again handle the most valuable rushing work. The concern is game script: Miami may have to abandon the run if Cincinnati builds an early lead.
Read more Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty listed as active vs. Patriots
Sit Malik Willis in standard one-quarterback leagues.
Willis has 712 passing yards and one touchdown pass through four games. His running ability offers some upside, but Miami averages only 11.5 points and has struggled to sustain drives. He is best treated as a superflex option rather than a conventional starter.
Sit Miami’s secondary receivers and tight ends.
Malik Washington is the Dolphins’ most attractive pass catcher, but Chris Bell, Jalen Tolbert, Greg Dulcich and the remaining rotation carry uncertain volume. Washington can be used as a deeper-league flex; the others should remain on benches unless roster shortages force the issue.
Fantasy managers should make final decisions after the inactive list. If Chase or Higgins sits, Mike Gesicki and Cincinnati’s complementary receivers gain appeal. If Wright is inactive, Gordon becomes an even stronger volume-based flex.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM.