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Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 14

By Jay Marsdale

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: Running Back Giovani Bernard #25 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: Running Back Giovani Bernard #25 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Start-em: Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. Chicago

Someone has to get the rushes in Cincinnati, right?

With both Joe Mixon and Jeremy Hill out of the picture for this Week 14 matchup against the Bears, Bernard is the last man standing. He is going to see a full workload for the first time in quite a few years.

Bernard has never really been given a fair shot to be an every down back because of his lack of size, but when he gets the opportunity, he just makes plays. He is quick and explosive and right now the Bengals offense needs as much of that as it can get.

Receiver A.J. Green has done everything in his power to carry this offense, but he needs help. Hopefully for the Bengals and fantasy football owners, Bernard is that help.

Chicago has been better against the pass in recent weeks, so Bernard is going to be asked to play a big role in this one. He is playing to prove that he deserves a bigger role for the rest of this year and into next season.

He started the season as the third string running back and that couldn’t have sit well with him. Bernard carried some fantasy football teams for a few seasons in a row not too long ago. Now he is the forgotten man in the Cincinnati backfield. This is a player who has went for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage three times and over 1,200 yards in two of those years. Fantasy owners will be hoping for that player to show up in Week 14.

Other options: LeSean McCoy (BUF) vs. Indianapolis and Marshawn Lynch (OAK) @ Kansas City.