Flacco Ignites Bengals' Offense

The Cincinnati Bengals are breathing life back into their offense with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco leading the charge. Following Jake Browning's struggles in place of injured superstar Joe Burrow, the Bengals acquired Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. Burrow is expected to be sidelined until at least December due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury.

Impressive Performances from Chase and Higgins

In his first start last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, Flacco faced a challenging first half, but managed to rally the team for 18 second-half points in a 27-18 loss. The Bengals showcased their resilience again on Thursday evening, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31. Notable performances from wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have made them hot commodities in fantasy football.

Chase has emerged as an elite receiver, catching 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown on an impressive 23 targets against the Steelers. Just one week prior, he had also excelled against the Packers, collecting 10 passes for 94 yards and another touchdown. After a rocky start to the season, Chase has solidified himself as a top-three wide receiver, joining Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown in elite company.

Teammate Tee Higgins has also found success with Flacco at the helm. He tallied six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, demonstrating a growing rapport with the veteran QB. In a strategic play late in the game, Higgins opted to slide down at the seven-yard line to allow his team to secure a game-winning field goal.

Fantasy Football Insights

Despite Higgins facing a slower start this season, his recent performances suggest he is climbing up the fantasy rankings. He is now seen as a solid WR3 or flex option, with the potential to creep into WR2 status if the Bengals maintain their offensive momentum. Currently ranked around 32nd in ESPN’s end-of-season projections and 34th by FantasyPros, Higgins proved that he could benefit greatly from Flacco’s leadership.

As the Bengals look to keep their offensive rhythm going, both Chase and Higgins are becoming increasingly difficult to trade for in fantasy leagues. With the window for acquiring either player at a lower value closed, fantasy owners should focus on maximizing their roster potential with these rising stars.