Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals: Week 5 Prediction

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) against the Kansas City Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Two teams that are on winning streaks and looking to stay hot. The Seattle Seahawks try to keep pace in the NFC West by taking down the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. Who gets the win?

Injuries

Marshawn Lynch still out with hamstring

The main cog of the Seahawks offense remains on the sideline. Marshawn Lynch has been operating with great care to not aggravate a lingering hamstring injury. Coaches expect him to return week 6 against Carolina, but for the time being they’ll have to visit Ohio without their star.

Jeremy Hill active despite knee problem

The Bengals on the other hand got some welcome news. Jeremy Hill, a huge key to their backfield has been dealing with a knee problem but all signs point to him being able to go in the game. How much time on the field he sees will depend on how good he feels and how well Giovani Bernard plays.

Key Matchups

A.J. Green vs. Carey Williams

Sure, matching up with Richard Sherman is the bigger blockbuster event but the one that will make or break both the Bengals and Seahawks in this game is what happens when star receiver A.J. Green goes against #2 Seattle corner Carey Williams, who has struggled at times this season.

Tyler Lockett vs. Dre Kirkpatrick

On the flip side, the Seahawks need to find a way to get rookie receiver Tyler Lockett more involved. He’s a playmaker who is dangerous with the ball in his bands. The smartest play for them would be to get him up against Dre Kirkpatrick, who has been the weakest link in the Bengals secondary all season.

Fantasy

Sit: Fred Jackson

With Lynch out, the Seahawks are likely to turn to veteran Fred Jackson to carry the ground game. Though still very capable, the reality is he’s going against a defense that is among the best in the NFL at stopping the run behind an offensive line that is one of the worst. Not a good combination for fantasy production.

Start: Bengals defense

The formula is pretty much in place. There is a team in the Seahawks coming in that is struggling offensively. Cincinnati is largely healthy on defense, playing with confidence and playing at home. Provided they can contain Russell Wilson, it should be a good day for the Bengals defense.

Prediction: Bengals win 20-13

Andy Dalton is going to have one of his more headache-inducing games but he’ll be saved by the Bengals ground attack and their defense. Seattle has way too many questionmarks on the offensive side right now. As good as their own defense is, it doesn’t have quite the same impact on the road as it does at home.

Next: St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers: Week 5 Prediction

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