Fantasy Friday: Week 4 Team Scouting Reports from SB Nation

The Bengals are off to a surprisingly good start, and as Cincy Jungle points out in the team scouting report, they have players with fantasy value.

Cedric Benson - In his past five regular season games, Cedric Benson has rushed for a league-high 575 yards on 129 carries, including a 171-yard effort against the Cleveland Browns during week sixteen last season. The Browns have allowed multiple rushing touchdowns in all three games this year and four straight dating back to 2008. Benson has recorded one touchdown in three of his past four games. Against arguably the strongest defense in the league, Benson recorded a 4.75-yard rushing average on 16 carries, which included a 23-yard touchdown run.

Carson Palmer - Even though Carson Palmer isn’t lighting up the fantasy football leagues, there’s reason to believe he could ignite old habits against the Cleveland Browns. During the second week in the 2007 season, Palmer completed 37 of 50 passes for 401 yards passing and six touchdowns. Palmer has multiple touchdowns in three of his past four games against the Browns, and in eight career starts against Cleveland, he’s recorded two touchdowns passing or more in five of those games.

Chad Ochocinco - Since the team is generally taking a more power approach by utilizing the rushing offense more, mixed in with quick passes, the likelihood that the team’s receivers break out becomes remote. But this is Chad we’re talking about. In his past two games in Cleveland, Chad is averaging 166 yards receiving. If the Bengals passing offense ignites, he’ll be a good part of that. During the second week in 2007, Chad caught 11 passes for 209 yards receiving and three touchdowns. However, Chad hasn’t recorded 100 yards receiving for 16 straight games with only five touchdowns dating back to the opening weekend in 2008.

Bengals defense - Cincinnati’s defense is being given a lot of credit this season for keeping the team in games. They only allowed 12 points to the undefeated Denver Broncos and refused an offensive touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the game’s final three quarters. They’ve prevented a touchdown in two of the three redzone appearances by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, which gave the Bengals offense enough time to regroup and attack. As a team, the Bengals have allowed five touchdowns - two on the ground, three in the air. On the other hand, is tied for a league leader 10 quarterback sacks, recorded a pick-six against the Steelers and forced three fumbles. The defense is a solid selection, if you have no one better.

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