Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview and Prediction

Bengals need win on the road against Eagles to keep pace in AFC playoff chase

The Cincinnati Bengals need to bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to stay in the thick of the race for a playoff spot in the AFC when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles tonight at 8:20 p.m. ET on the NFL Network. The Bengals (7-6) gave up a nine-point lead at home to the Cowboys last week, a defeat that snapped their four-game winning streak and has them on the outside looking in at a wild-card berth right now.

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Why Brent Celek is a Great Start Against the Seahawks

The Eagles tight end should put up solid fantasy points tonight

Tired of trying to figure out whether Ed Dickson, Fred Davis, Brandon Pettigrew, Jake Ballard, Scott Chandler, Heath Miller or even Jermichael Finley are going to get it done for you at the tight end position each week?

Go ahead and get it out of your system tonight; go pick up and start a tight end that has been better than all of the aforementioned in points per game over the last month.

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Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Week 11

Lance Ball, Kendall Hunter and Laurent Robinson lead the waiver wire this week

It’s the last week of byes for the 2011 NFL season. And we lose some powerhouses this week at all four positions. Which means you're going to have dredge the waiver wire to save your team's chances of making the playoffs. Here's a few of the big names that are out.

WEEK 11 BYES: Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh

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Fantasy Football: Breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA
• Inside the Locker Room

With Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Can LeSean McCoy approach old Brian Westbrook fantasy numbers?
McCoy certainly showed he has the ability to put up very good numbers, but the perfect storm that created Westbrook’s garish stats just isn’t there. Westbrook was used as the primary check-down receiver because the Eagles lacked a difference-making tight end. And for most of his tenure, Westbrook was the best wideout option on the team. So he was used the way the Eagles use DeSean Jackson now — to stretch the field or on short screens. Simply put, McCoy is one of several potent weapons, where Westbrook was often the lone serious threat.

Has DeSean Jackson maxed out or is there another gear left?
This is a question that will go a long way toward deciding the Eagles’ fate in the next few years, since Jackson is due a big long-term contract. He is still a threat to score from anywhere on the field. At the same time, though, defenses have learned that he can be neutralized at times with physical play. The emergence of Jeremy Maclin as a reliable target also means fewer throws in Jackson’s direction.

Will Brent Celek ever be a reliable fantasy tight end starter with Vick at QB?
That’s a tough call. Celek took a plunge last season as Vick took over the starting job from Kevin Kolb. But there was more at work than the QB change. Celek played through injuries, including a painful hand injury that led to some drops. Meanwhile, with defenses trying every possible blitz to slow down Vick, Celek was called on to block more often than in the past. So 2011 should be telling.

Vick: Better or worse in 2011?
Depends which part of the first year you’re comparing him to. Vick put up some ridiculous numbers in wins over Washington and the New York Giants but tailed off at the end of the season as teams began finding ways to blitz him into poor decisions. Best guess: Vick will be steadier in 2011, putting up reliably good numbers without as many extreme highs or lows. Also, expect his rushing totals — Vick had nine of the Eagles’ 18 rushing TDs last year — to be down. One thing Vick and the coaches want is for him to protect his body more.

• Fantasy Playoff Run — Weeks 14-16: @MIA, NYJ, @DAL
Miami and New York were both top-10 defenses in fantasy points allowed, while Dallas was 28th. The Jets did surrender 26.7 points per game to WRs and 17.6 per game to QBs last season. So if Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy can get hot vs. the Jets, a trip to Dallas is enticing, since last year’s matchup saw Vick throw for 270 yards and two TDs, McCoy rush for 149 and Jackson catch four balls for 210 and a TD.

• Athlon Best Bets
Sleeper:
Jason Avant, WR
Deep-Sleeper: Riley Cooper, WR
Overvalued: Michael Vick, QB
Top Rookie: Alex Henery, K
Bounce-Back: Vince Young, QB
Top IDP: Trent Cole, DL

• Try to Avoid
Brent Celek, TE 

The Eagles’ offense under Michael Vick rarely features the tight end. One year removed from a stellar 2009 season, Celek saw 34 fewer targets in 2010. 
WAIT UNTIL: 20th RD

• Draft Class Fantasy Impact
The Eagles are set at the skill positions and at quarterback, which allowed most of the draft attention to fall to the offensive line and adding depth to the defense. Even though he’s a rookie, Henery could be a viable fantasy kicker as he is replacing fantasy football’s most consistent kicker over the last three seasons in David Akers.

 

More Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets and Rankings:
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 280
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 240 w/ IDPs

2
011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks
2
011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers

2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends

2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers

2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defense/Special Teams

 


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