Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
Joe Mixon hasn't suited up since Week 13 due to concussion issues, but has practiced this week and is poised to return to action. If he does, expect him to become the primary ball-carrier. He was averaging 23 touches in the two previous games before being knocked out.
Detroit is ranked 26th in aFPA to running backs so the matchup is very good. Mixon should be the best play of the Bengals running backs this week, but he still only rates as a low-end RB2 for Week 16, as Cincinnati has struggled offensively the past two games.
Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Mixon finally rewarded patient fantasy owners with his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. But that wasn't all. He had 26 touches for a total 165 yards from scrimmage and added a touchdown to boot. This is probably just the beginning of Mixon's success as he navigates through his rookie season.
Mixon will face Pittsburgh this week, who is ranked 21st in aFPA to running backs. If he gets the touches again, he will put up decent numbers. Start him as a solid RB2 for Week 13.
Week 12 vs. Cleveland Browns
Joe Mixon had a season-high 22 touches last week, but it only produced 49 yards. There is little doubt the Bengals have committed to the rookie as their No. 1 back, but that has not produced fantasy numbers.
Cleveland is up next and they are ranked 14th in aFPA to running backs. Even if Mixon receives 20 touches again, there is still a lot of doubt he can put up numbers to help win games.
Mixon is a starter for Week 12, but he ranks as an RB2 against the Browns.
Week 11 at Denver Broncos
If the Bengals want Joe Mixon to be their No. 1 back, they need to get him more touches. He had only 10 touches last week after averaging 15 the previous two weeks. With Jeremy Hill out for the season, maybe Mixon will get some of those touches.
Mixon will face a tough Denver defense this week that's ranked fifth in aFPA to running backs. If he gets the touches, he will have enough numbers to rank him a solid RB2 for Week 11, so start Mixon in all leagues.
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
Joe Mixon had 16 touches and scored his second touchdown of the season in last week's loss to Jacksonville. He caught 3 passes for the third straight week, which is good news for owners who want to see Mixon be involved in both the running and passing game.
Mixon will face Tennessee this week, who is ranked 17th in aFPA to running backs. The rookie has been establishing himself as the No. 1 running back, but now we need to see him have better fantasy numbers that should go along with him playing 72% of the snaps as he did last week. Start Mixon as a solid RB2 for Week 10.
Week 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Good news for Joe Mixon owners. The Bengals commitment to him seems to be getting stronger. He played a season-high 63% of the snaps and although he was held to 18 yards rushing, he did have a career-high 91 receiving yards. However, he still only has 1 touchdown on the season.
Mixon will face the Jaguars, who are ranked 20th in aFPA to running backs. The Jacksonville pass defense is one of the NFL's best, so teams game plan to attack them on the ground. Mixon will still not get all the touches because of the veteran presence of Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill, but he is a good play this week as a solid RB2 for Week 8.
Week 8 vs. Indianapolis Colts
It was surprising Joe Mixon only had 10 touches against Pittsburgh which ties a season-low. But the Bengals offense struggled in general. Mixon should still be the focus of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Twenty touches should be in the mix most weeks.
The Colts are 31st in aFPA to running backs so this is another reason to expect Mixon to have a big game and as long as he stays healthy, he should have opportunities in the passing game too.
Start Mixon in all leagues and formats for Week 8 as a low-end RB1. If he sets season-highs in touches, he will set season-highs in yards from scrimmage, too.
Week 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Mixon was coming off two straight 20+ touch games but only had 15 against the Bills in the last Bengals game. He still only has one 100-yard game from scrimmage this season, but he played in 55% of the snaps against Buffalo, which is a good sign for his owners.
Mixon will face a Steelers defense ranked 10th in aFPA to running backs. Even with him getting the snaps and touches, this isn't a good game to expect Mixon to elevate his numbers. He rates as a low-end RB2 for Week 7.
Week 5 vs. Buffalo Bills
For the second straight week, Joe Mixon received 20+ touches, solidifying him as the No. 1 back in Cincinnati. The results weren't great, even in an impressive outing by the Bengals offense, but the numbers will come as long as the touches remain primarily his. The ironic part is he was only on the field for 48% of the snaps, but when he is on the field he is getting the ball.
Mixon will face a Bills defense ranked fifth in aFPA to running backs, so it will be a tough matchup. We are definitely going to see better results from Mixon and they should come as we go through the season. But until then, he rates as a high-end RB2 for Week 5.
Week 4 at Cleveland Browns
Joe Mixon finally got touches that clarify him as the Bengals' No. 1 running back. He carried the ball 18 times for 62 yards and caught 3 passes for 39 yards. It helped that the Cincinnati offense actually looked like an NFL team. Mixon also played a season-high 56% of the snaps.
Mixon will face an average Cleveland run defense ranked 17th in aFPA to running backs. If Mixon continues to get the touches and snaps, he will consistently rank as an RB2 and possibly higher.
For Week 4, start Mixon as a solid RB2 and expect decent numbers in Cleveland.
