Cincinnati Bengals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had 43 yards off 11 carries in Sunday's win over the Browns. He added one catch for 10 yards. The Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention after the Week 17 loss to the Chiefs. However, Cincinnati wanted to end the year with a winning record. Brown's 11 attempts were the most of his career. Although he couldn't find the end zone for the second time this season, he still had a decent year as Joe Mixon's backup. At any rate, the 23-year-old should at least remain the No. 2 running back on the depth chart, so he'll draw interest from fantasy managers during drafts ahead of Week 1 for insurance purposes. Of course, the Bengals should strongly consider keeping Joe Mixon on the roster, even more so since he had 12 touchdowns this season. Yet, Brown's outlook could improve even more if he finds himself atop the depth chart heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning threw for 156 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception off 18-for-24 passing in Sunday's win over the Browns. He added two carries for 18 yards. The Bengals had nothing to play for, considering they were eliminated from postseason contention after losing to the Chiefs in Week 17. However, the signal-caller still ended the year on a high note. Although Browning's efforts weren't enough to lead the Bengals to the playoffs after taking over for Joe Burrow (wrist) earlier in the year, he likely did enough to solidify his backup job for the 2024-25 campaign. Of course, unless Browning gets put into a similar situation next season, he won't see much interest from fantasy managers in drafts heading into Week 1.

New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki caught just one of three targets for five yards during Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. He dropped a pass in the end zone that would have given fantasy managers and the Patriots a key touchdown. On a more positive note, Gesicki made a clutch play in the contest, chasing down a defender after Bailey Zappe was picked off and forcing a fumble. He totaled 29 catches, 244 yards, and three touchdowns while spending most of this season behind Hunter Henry, who missed Week 18 with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old doesn't project to be a major fantasy contributor in 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is officially inactive for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, as expected. Higgins was listed as doubtful on Friday's final injury report, so fantasy managers should have already been ignoring Higgins everywhere for the final game of the year. The 24-year-old tweaked his hamstring in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and with the Bengals not having anything to play for in Week 18, they understandably aren't going to let Higgins suit up. He finishes his fourth year in the NFL with his most disappointing season to date, catching 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns on 76 targets over 12 games. Higgins should be able to bounce back in 2024 with better health, but his fantasy value will depend on where he winds up in free agency. Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will be Cincy's top two wideouts on Sunday.

New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki will operate as the top option at his position with Hunter Henry (knee) sidelined for Week 18 versus the New York Jets. Gesicki has played more than 65 percent of snaps in his two games with Henry sidelined, averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game during that span. However, unfavorable weather conditions will likely limit Gesicki's target total on Sunday. Without meaningful volume, in order for Gesicki to have fantasy relevance, he'll likely need to break off a huge play or find the end zone. Fantasy managers should view him as a mid-to-low TE2 with a mediocre ceiling and low floor.