Cincinnati Bengals rookie running back Giovani Bernard notched the Bengals' only two touchdowns of the game Thursday in a 22-20 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. Bernard left the game late with an apparent rib injury, but the extent of the injury is not yet known.
Giovani Bernard wows fantasy owners, TV watchers, pretty much everyone
The Bengals rookie had two scores Thursday, including an eye-popping run. We break down the fantasy implications.
Matt Sullivan
Bernard rushed for 79 yards and two scores on nine carries, including a jaw-dropping back-and-forth run that tied the game at 17. He also caught four passes for 25 yards, setting a career high with 104 all-purpose yards.
By contrast the Bengals' other running back, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, had almost as many rushing yards as Bernard, with 72 yards, but did so on 12 extra carries. While Bernard averages 8.8 yards a carry, Green-Ellis' average on hia 21 carries was only 3.4.
Fantasy impact: These were basically the roles Bernard and Green-Ellis were expected to fill. Bernard is the playmaker (capable of crazy plays like his second touchdown) and a pass-catcher, while Green-Ellis is the safe, few-yards-at-a-time back.
That said, this was a huge game from Bernard, with the two scores. Assuming his rib injury isn’t a big deal, he’s starting to separate himself from Green-Ellis, and his fantasy value -- particularly in point-per-reception leagues -- is on the rise.
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