Week 5 vs Arizona
Joe Mixon had a season-high 19 touches on Monday against Pittsburgh and that was playing from behind most of the game. Mixon is still the most dangerous offensive weapon for Bengals and it looks like Cincinnati is starting to try to get him more involved in the offense.
Mixon faces the Cardinals who are 11th in aFPA to running backs. Even with a fairly tough matchup, we feel Mixon is due to have a breakout game.
Start Mixon in all leagues and formats as a low-end RB1 and watch him get to the 20 touch mark in Week 5.
Week 4 at Pittsburgh
Joe Mixon seems healthy now which is good news for the Bengals. He had 17 touches Week 3 which produced 94 yards and a touchdown. Cincy's offense will go through Mixon this season at least until WR A.J. Green returns.
In two games against the Steelers last season, 24 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown which included a 100+ rushing game. Pittsburgh is 19th in aFPA to running backs so there should be some room for Mixon to put up some numbers.
He will need more touches, but Mixon still should be in your lineup as an RB2. The Bengals have shown some life on offense and Mixon will have good numbers against the Steelers.
Week 3 at Buffalo
Joe Mixon has been banged up early this season but he still played Week 2 where he had 14 touches. He is now off the injury list so expect him to get touches that we expected this season - in the 20-25 range.
It won't be easy this Sunday as Buffalo is up next for Cincy and the Bills defense has played very well so far. We are leaning towards an average day for Mixon. He only ranks an RB3 or flex for Week 3. Start him, but don't have high expectations.
Week 1 at Seattle
Joe Mixon had a solid second season rushing for over 1,100 yards and becoming the full time starting running back for the Bengals. He is expected to carry even more of the load in 2019. The Bengals offense has question marks but Mixon isn't one of them.
The Week 1 matchup won't be easy for Cincy as they head to visit the 12th Man in Seattle. The Seahawks defense took a step back last season as they were 22nd in aFPA to running backs. Seattle took some steps in the offseason where they should be better.
Being on the road, no No. 1 receiver in A.J. Green, Mixon doesn't project to be an RB1 like he should most weeks. Expect about 20 touches and decent numbers for Week 1. Start him as a solid RB2 against Seattle.
Fantasy Upside
Joe Mixon had a break-out season in 2018 and is poised to be the workhorse again for Cincinnati. He rushed for 1,168 yards with eight touchdowns. He carried the ball 237 times and that’s missing two games with a knee injury. Mixon also had great ball security as he had zero fumbles in 2018. He has been a great pickup for the Bengals as he was a second-round draft pick because of issues off-the-field. But he has been clean as a professional.
Fantasy Downside
Mixon cannot be considered in the top tier of fantasy backs just yet because he is not as prominent in the passing game. He did catch 43 passes but we expect a lot of the third-down snaps to go to the veteran Gio Bernard. Also, be aware new head coach Zac Taylor was with the Rams in 2018 and saw what happened to Todd Gurley at the end of the season because of overuse. Taylor could be cautious with Mixon’s touches.
2019 Bottom Line
Expect Mixon to carry the ball more than anyone this upcoming season with the exception of Ezekiel Elliot. But the fact he will be limited in the passing game keeps his stock down slightly. He is definitely a top 10 fantasy running back and is deserving of an early second round selection (Current ADP is 2.02). The Bengals will give him the carries on first and second down and will spell him on third down with Bernard.
Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Mixon's touches were down last week against Cleveland but don't let that bother you. The Bengals have been riding Mixon as their main offensive weapon since both Andy Dalton and AJ Green left the lineup. In the first meeting with the Steelers, Mixon had 15 touches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Pittsburgh is ranked 13th in aFPA to running backs this season. We expect Mixon to be back around 20+ touches this week so start him as a low-end RB1 for Week 17.
Week 16 at Cleveland Browns
Joe Mixon has been the main part of the offense since Andy Dalton and AJ Green have gone down with injuries. He recorded this second straight 100+ rushing yard performance and added three touchdowns. Mixon has 60 touches the past two games.
In the first meeting with the Browns, Mixon had 155 yards from scrimmage and was especially active in the passing game. Cleveland is ranked 26th in aFPA to running backs so this should be another big game for the Bengals. Start him as a solid RB1 for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Oakland Raiders
Joe Mixon recorded his second 100+ yard rushing game of the season last Sunday and added a touchdown. He had a season-high 31 touches which is significant, because the Bengals need help with Andy Dalton and AJ Green out, and Mixon appears to be the focus of the offense.
Mixon will face the Raiders who are 17th in aFPA to running backs. With a neutral matchup, we expect a lot of touches again for Mixon and this pushes him into the upper part of the fantasy running back rankings. Start him as a solid RB1 for Week 15.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Mixon put up good rushing numbers for the second straight game, with 82 rushing yards and an average of over 6 yards per carry in back-to-back games. However, he only had 14 touches against the Broncos which is way too low for a team looking for a playmaker. Mixon has shown signs of being a steady RB1 but Cincy has to get the ball in his hands on a more consistent basis.
Mixon will face the Chargers who are 15th in aFPA to running backs. With a neutral matchup and a new starting quarterback, we expect the Bengals to wake up and get the ball to Mixon 20+ times this week. Start him as a low-end RB1 for Week 14.
Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
Joe Mixon had his best game since Week 8, as the second-year back has struggled to be consistent in 2018. Part of that has been because of the Bengals overall offense. He did have 21 touches for 155 yards which was a season-high in 2018. A lot of that was fueled by his seven receptions for 66 yards, both career-highs.
Mixon will face Denver this week who is 20th in aFPA to running backs. The results from last week combined with the favorable matchup make Mixon valuable for Week 13. He will also have a first-time starter at QB in Jeff Driskel so expect those touches to be in the 20+ range again this week. Start Mixon as a high-end RB2 for Week 13.
