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Fantasy Player Projections

 
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals at Panthers
Bank of America Stadium | Sunday, September 26 | 1:00 p.m. EST (CBS)
Pick: Bengals 23, Panthers 20
 Carolina Panthers
Bengals
Pos.PlayerProjection
QBCarson Palmer
160 pass yards, 1 pass TD, 5 rush yards
Despite the weapons and despite Palmer's pedigree, the running game is still the Bengals' top priority this season. His receivers will have more trouble getting open against the Panthers as well.
RBCedric Benson
1 rec, 5 rec yards, 90 rush yards, 1 rush TD
Benson will continue to get a ton of carries as long as the Bengals don't have to throw to catch up. They shouldn't have to worry about that against the Panthers, so we'll see a lot of Benson.
WRChad Ochocinco
7 rec, 85 yards
He has benefited greatly so far with Terrell Owens around to take away some attention. The Panthers' secondary should be a tough test, but Ochocinco will still get his targets.
WRTerrell Owens
5 rec, 50 yards, 1 TD
If the Bengals can get near the goal line then Owens will have plenty opportunity to score. The Bengals still turn to Chad Ochocinco downfield first.
TEJermaine Gresham
3 rec, 20 yards
Gresham could emerge as one of the Bengals best red-zone targets, though he won't see a ton of looks with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco at wideout.
KMike Nugent
2 PATs, 3 FGs
The Panthers won't provide a ton resistance to the offense, making Nugent safe to roll with if you need to.
Defense
5 sacks, 3 INT, 1 Fumble
Outside of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers' offense really isn't scary, especially with a rookie quarterback starting. The Bengals should be a great start this week.
Panthers
Pos.PlayerProjection
QBJimmy Clausen
135 pass yards, 3 INT
Clausen didn't fare that well after taking over for Matt Moore last week, and he's facing a Bengals defense that picked off Joe Flacco four times.
RBDeAngelo Williams
2 rec, 15 rec yards, 65 rush yards, 1 rush TD
The Bengals are tough against the run, but the Panthers will try to shove it through Cincinnati's defensive front anyway. As is the question every week with Williams, how will the carries be divvied up?
RBJonathan Stewart
1 rec, 5 rec yards, 55 rush yards, 1 rush TD
A lingering heel injury from preseason may have contributed to his slow start, but Stewart is still a massively important part of the offense even if DeAngelo Williams has more upside.
WRSteve Smith
5 rec, 60 yards
Relative to last season, Smith looks like a new man. He is still the only consistent producer in the Panthers' passing game. If the offense can gain any consistency behind whoever's quarterbacking, Smith could regain his elite fantasy status.
WRDwayne Jarrett
2 rec, 30 yards
It's bad enough that he's the fourth or fifth option on a run-first team, but Jarrett will have a tough time getting separation against Cincinnati.
TEJeff King
2 rec, 15 yards
He has just seven touchdowns in four seasons. That should tell everything you need to know about his role with the Panthers.
KJohn Kasay
2 PATs, 2 FGs
Kasay has been on point this season, he'll just have to hope the Panthers can put him in position to kick.
Defense
2 sacks
The Panthers were very strong against the pass last season, but they have to match up against Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. The Bengals could find some success pounding the ball with Cedric Benson as well.
 
 
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