Monday Night Football for Week 17 of the NFL season gives us a showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
I have two players to pick — one from each team — in this game. These players aren’t the flashiest of names and are more bargain-bin guys who could surprise.
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WR Isaiah McKenzie
McKenzie played a season-low 36% of snaps against Chicago’s zone-heavy defense, but he could play a larger role against a Cincinnati unit that ranks 10th in man-coverage rate. McKenzie is fifth on the team in targets against zone (30) and second in targets against man (22).
He was held without a catch for just the second time all season in Week 16. The last time he was held catch-less (Week 11), he bounced back with six receptions (on 10 targets) for 96 yards and a touchdown the following game.
WR Trenton Irwin
The Bills rank second in DVOA against tight ends, so it’s possible the Bengals continue to ramp up their 4-WR usage with Irwin playing well and Hayden Hurst returning from injury.
Irwin has scored a touchdown on 14.3% of his career targets and faces a Bills defense that has seen 88.2% of its passing touchdowns allowed go to wide receivers.
Both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd have been in-game injury risks this season, which gives Irwin added upside.
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