Week 4 at Cleveland Browns
After taking about 50% of the snaps the first two weeks, Giovani Bernard took a backseat to Joe Mixon as was expected coming into the season. His snap percentage fell to 21% and he only had 5 touches.
Bernard is nursing a thigh injury but should play Sunday against an average Browns run defense. It appears Mixon will be the man and Bernard will be his primary backup, which limits his value. No reason to have him in your lineup, but keep Bernard on the bench for depth.
Week 3 at Green Bay Packers
The good news is that Giovani Bernard's snap percentage was the highest of the three Cincinnati running backs for the second straight week. The bad news is that his touches were low once again. It will be interesting to see what changes with a new offensive coordinator, but you have to think it can't get much worse for the Bengals offense.
Bernard will face a Green Bay defense ranked 15th in aFPA to running backs through the first two weeks, but the issue will be internal in terms of playing time and usage. Even if the snaps continue to be in Bernard's favor, will he see more touches? That's still to be determined, so his value remains low. Do not play Bernard in Week 3.
Week 2 vs. Houston Texans
Giovani Bernard was the most effective of the Cincinnati running backs last week, playing the most snaps and recording the most yards from scrimmage (79). But it's hard to read how the backs will be used because the Bengals were playing catch-up all day and their game plan wasn't executed properly.
Bernard is sharing the backfield with veteran Jeremy Hill and second-rounder Joe Mixon, who many experts feel will be the eventual No. 1 back. Versus the Texans on Thursday night, we might find out more, but there are too many questions in Cincinnati to make a definitive observation. Keep Bernard on the bench for Week 2.
Week 11 vs Buffalo
Giovanni Bernard continues to play more snaps than Jeremy Hill, but has been getting 50% less carries. Bernard's value is in the passing game where he is used as a receiver and a blocker, which of course gives him more fantasy value in PPR leagues. However, even Bernard's receiving numbers have not been as strong as last year.
Against Buffalo, who is ranked 14th in aFPA to running backs, Bernard should continue in his role. Ten carries would about right, and if he can catch five passes, he will help you this week. Start him for Week 11, but only as an RB3 or flex.
Week 10 at New York Giants
Giovanni Bernard got plenty of snaps the first half of the season, but still wasn't the primary ball carrier for the Bengals. He averaged only 9.6 carries and 37 yards per game. Jeremy Hill was more involved with the running game. Where Bernard's value comes is in the passing game although he only had two catches the last two games before the bye week.
Bernard will face the Giants on Monday night who are 20th in aFPA to running backs. He will get on the field and have some opportunities to get some touches. His value ranks him as a low-end RB2 for Week 10.
Week 8 vs Washington
Giovani Bernard had a season-high 17 carries for 80 yards and scored a touchdown in a game that saw the Bengals run all over Cleveland. He got a majority of the snaps over Jeremy Hill, who left the game in the 4th quarter with an injury (although he will play against Washington).
Bernard was limited in the passing game to two catches, but that was mainly because the Browns couldn't stop the run. Bernard has a decent matchup this week against the Redskins, who are 22nd in aFPA to running backs. Expect some good numbers again from Bernard, as we have him ranked as a solid RB2 for Week 8.
Week 7 vs Cleveland
Giovani Bernard had 94 yards from scrimmage last week and played 66% of the snaps. That number should change as Jeremy Hill is healthy. It's more than likely the Bengals will go back closer to a 50/50 split this week. Bernard continues to prosper in the passing game, which keeps his value higher in PPR leagues.
Overall, he still lends value, but has been very average against Cleveland over the past two years. Start Benard as a low-end RB2 in standard leagues for Week 7. He is a solid RB2 in PPR formats.
Week 6 at New England
Giovani Bernard had his best rushing day of the season last week running for 50 yards and still catching six passes for another 46 yards. Part of the reason was Jeremy Hill getting knocked out of the game. Hill is expected to play this week, but Bernard rates higher because the Bengals could be playing catch-up against the Patriots and that plays more to Bernard's strengths.
Overall, the Pats defense 4th in aFPA to running backs and this game is on the road which also hurts the Bengals chances to win this game. Bernard does have some value this week so if you start him, rank him as a high-end RB3 or flex.
Week 5 at Dallas
Giovani Bernard carried the ball 10 times last Thursday for just 18 yards. Even though Bernard is splitting snaps evenly with Jeremy Hill, Hill has been the primary ball carrier in the offense.
Bernard continues to rack up targets and receptions in the passing game, which has salvaged some fantasy value for him, especially in PPR leagues.
Until we see a shift in the ball distribution in the running game, Bernard comes in again this week as an RB3 or flex.
Week 4 vs. Miami
Giovani Bernard continues to thrive in the passing game, but the Bengals seem to be focusing on Jeremy Hill more in the running game. The snaps were practically even between the two last week, but Bernard only carried the ball five times, compared to Hill's 19. He did catch five more passes and that is the direction the Bengals seem to be heading with him and Hill.
The Bengals face Miami, who is 11th in aFPA to running backs, but Cincinnati's usage of Bernard is more of a factor than the opponent at this point. While Hill is moving up the running back rankings, Bernard remains an RB3 or Flex for Week 4.
