Jeremy Hill, Gio Bernard Updated Fantasy Outlook Entering Week 15

After getting blown out by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 and seeing second-year running back Giovani Bernard continue to struggle, Marvin Lewis is poised to make changes to the Cincinnati Bengals offense heading into Sunday's showdown with the Cleveland Browns. 

According to Richard Skinner of The Cincinnati Enquirer, citing comments from Bernard, Jeremy Hill will be the Bengals' starting running back in Week 15:

This isn't a surprise move or something that should catch fantasy owners off guard. Based on the season stats, Lewis already believes that Hill is his best running back. The rookie out of LSU leads the Bengals in carries (152), rushing yards (729), rushing touchdowns (six) and yards per carry (4.8). 

Bernard, on the other hand, has failed to capitalize on his successful rookie season. He's averaging 3.9 yards per carry and has had 16 carries over the last two games. Hill had at least 10 carries in six straight games before Week 14, when the Bengals got behind and had to throw the ball to catch up. 

Spinning the fantasy agenda forward, Hill is the best running back on Cincinnati's roster right now. He's been more explosive than Bernard with four carries of at least 20 yards. Andy Dalton actually has more 20-yard runs this season (two) than Bernard (one). 

The Bengals may have waited so long to make the change official because Hill is still learning the pro game, as these comments from offensive coordinator Hue Jackson following the team's 14-13 win over Tampa Bay in Week 13 illustrate, via Coley Harvey of ESPN.com:

"

Jeremy don't play quarterback. What Jeremy needs to do is run the ball. What Jeremy wants to do -- I don't care if it's eight men or seven men -- break tackles, OK? That's what running backs do. They break tackles and that's it. At the end of the day, his job is to run through somebody and come out the other side and go find a way to score, period. So all his drop-down, who did this, did what -- that ain't his call.

"

Hill will get his chance to do just that against a Cleveland team that is in a volatile position. The Browns are falling out of the playoff race following two straight losses and are starting a rookie quarterback, so the defense will have to put together another strong effort like the one it had against Indianapolis in Week 14. 

Unfortunately, while the Colts play into Cleveland's strength on defense as a pass-heavy team, the Bengals are 10th in the NFL with 121.5 rushing yards per game. The Browns own the sixth-worst run defense at 130.3 yards allowed.

One stat that could concern fantasy owners is the Browns are middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed per game (16.2) to opposing running backs, though there have been five games they have allowed at least 20 points to the opposition. 

That's not a huge concern for Hill, who has been money when getting at least 15 carries. The rookie only has four games with that many carries but has never had less than 74 yards in those games and has scored four of his six touchdowns. 

Bernard has been losing touches as the season has gone on and fantasy owners will continue to feel those effects this week. He might be worth a shot in PPR leagues, recording at least one reception in every game this year, but that's his only real value in Week 15. 

Stats via ESPN.com. 

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