Cincinnati Bengals Week 3 Stock Report

The needle continues to point up for the Cincinnati Bengals heading into Week 3.

As if going to Oakland for a win to start the season wasn't sweet enough, the Bengals returned home this past weekend to take down AFC hopeful San Diego, 24-19.

Things were far from perfect, sure, but the Bengals spoiled themselves and fans with the Week 1 whipping of the Raiders, so maybe everyone involved should have expected some sort of drop-off.

Regardless, a win is a win, and the Bengals sit undefeated going into an AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. There are stock fluctuations of note as the team prepares for the encounter, so let's analyze them in the following slides.

Stock Up: Giovani Bernard, RB

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

So much for sitting behind Jeremy Hill.

Giovani Bernard watched last year as Hill ran away with the lion's share of the carries—a necessary evil in a time when backfields see usage for multiple players but only within defined roles.

Except Bernard bucked the notion this past weekend with San Diego in town after Hill fumbled twice. The coaching staff deferred to Bernard, and he responded in a big way with 123 yards on 20 attempts, reading lanes well and making defenders miss at the second level.

The outburst doesn't mean Bernard is stealing the starting gig anytime soon, but it does show just how well off the Bengals are in the backfield if Hill continues to struggle. If anything, Bernard's production might mean more looks than usual.

Stock Down: Jeremy Hill, RB

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

This wasn't hard to see coming, was it?

Fumbles were the biggest issue surrounding Hill last season, so two in one game doesn't bode well for the starter. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson spoke about the issue  this week, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

"

I’ll be more lenient with other guys. I don’t want anybody to hold me to the standard, ‘OK, well he just turned it over. You better get him out.’ There’s a process to it, and I know what it looks like and what it feels like and Coach [Marvin] Lewis does too. When we make that decision we make it and move on.

"

It doesn't sound like Hill will lose playing time moving forward, but one does have to wonder just how short the leash will be if he suffers another fumble.

As it should, the coaching staff expects more from Hill. Given the microscope under which he currently resides, his stock looks down.

Stock Up: Marvin Jones, WR

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Things have come full circle for Marvin Jones.

After missing last season with an injury, he is back in the swing of things and this past weekend tied for a team high in targets with five, catching two of them for 48 yards and a score.

Even better, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey, Jones saw more snaps than fellow wideout Mohamed Sanu by a 53-27 margin.

It's clear Jones has assumed the No. 2 wideout role once again, although this time around he's perhaps the third option thanks to the presence of A.J. Green and a healthy Tyler Eifert.

Regardless, Jones proved Sunday he can still contribute in a major way when he has a chance. At this rate, he's sure to see plenty more moving forward if the most recent usage rates are any sign.

Stock Down: Margus Hunt, DE

Gail Burton/Associated Press

One of this past Sunday's notable inactive players was defensive end Margus Hunt. 

He went from displaying great upside as a rotational player to almost not making the roster this preseason. Instead of helping to fill the gap in the trenches last year after Michael Johnson's departure, Hunt was mostly a non-factor while dealing with nagging issues.

Instead of contributing Sunday, Hunt watched as Carlos Dunlap, Johnson and Wallace Gilberry handled most of the work, while Will Clarke and Chris Carter rotated in to handle the rest of the snaps.

It seems like Hunt faces a long road back to playing time, and he might only be active for a game if and when an injury occurs. He still has upside, but the coaching staff has proved unwilling to wait around and has others who make an impact on a weekly basis in his place.

Stock Up: Vincent Rey

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Some figured the return of Rey Maualuga and the addition of A.J. Hawk would reduce the time that role players such as Vincent Rey would see in the base defense this year.

So much for that.

Vincent Rey is an especially interesting case after the coaching staff named him a captain on special teams. Against the Chargers, he played 63 snaps to just five for Hawk, per Pro Football Focus. As most who saw the game know, he used the opportunity to secure the game-clinching interception of Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter.

The impending return of Vontaze Burfict will shake things up. Even so, it's clear Rey has stuck around on the roster so long not just because of his ability on special teams but because of what he brings to the base defense when asked.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of September 22. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.