Chicago Bears Fantasy Forecast: Week 6
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While it’s been a rough start to the season for the 2-3 Chicago Bears, they have been one of the most fantasy-friendly teams in the NFL with players worthy of a spot in any starting lineup at every skill position. Every Friday, I’ll be breaking down the weekly match-ups for all fantasy relevant Bears players and giving my projection on how many fantasy points they will score and whether they are worth starting or not.
So if you have any Bears on your fantasy rosters, remember to check back on Friday for a second opinion on how your Bears are going to do in fantasy that week and whether they deserve a spot in your starting lineup. If you disagree or have anything interesting to add, let me know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter.
*My scoring projections are based on default Yahoo scoring plus .5 PPR and my start recommendations on 12-team leagues with the Yahoo default starting lineup slots.
Chicago Bears Fantasy Forecast
Quarterback
Jay Cutler
The Bears / Falcons game has the highest over / under in Vegas this week (56 total points) and one of the highest all season. The Vegas books have an uncanny knack for being accurate as my wallet can attest to and I agree with them on this one. I think both teams are going to put up over 30 which will mean another big fantasy line for Jay Cutler. He will probably throw a couple of interceptions, but I think he throws at least two TDs and maybe as many as four. This may sound like homer advice, but I’m starting Cutler over Matt Ryan in the league which I own them both. I think the Bears defense is better than the Falcons and they will prove it on Sunday.
Projection: 27 fantasy points
Start: Yes
Running Back
Matt Forte
After not being used much in weeks 2 & 3, Forte has been the heart of the offense the last two weeks averaging 168 total yards the last two games. If Trestman knows what is good for the Bears he will keep giving Forte around 25 touches per game. The Falcons defense isn’t good by any stretch of the imagination and Forte should get close to 150 total yards in this one and probably a TD or two.
Projection: 22
Start: Yes
Ka’Deem Carey
Missed a block last week and then sat the bench the rest of the game after only 2 carries (for 2 yards). Carey looked like he would be part of the offense after 14 carries in week 4, but until his pass blocking improves, he can’t be trusted for fantasy purposes. I still think he is a great end of the bench stash in case anything ever happens to Forte.
Projection: 4
Start: No
Wide Receiver
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Brandon Marshall
Everyone seems to agree that Marshall deserves more touches and this should be the week that it happens. He’s two weeks removed from injury and I think Cutler will be targeting him all day against a small Falcons secondary. Marshall is over due for a big game.
Projection: 17
Start: Yes
Alshon Jeffrey
Looked healthy against the Panthers for the first time in a few weeks and should be primed for a solid game in what will probably be a shootout against the Falcons. Jeffrey will have a size and skill advantage over anyone who covers him this week and as long as Cutler can get it close Jeffrey should have a big game.
Projection: 23
Start: Yes
Santonio Holmes
I’m about ready to give up on Holmes contributing at all this season. He has gotten significant playing time the last two weeks and hasn’t made an impact. It’s not all his fault as Cutler has missed him high a couple of times, but there clearly isn’t much rapport between the two and I don’t see Holmes getting many looks with both Marshall and Jeffrey healthy. At best Holmes is the 5th option after the two starting WRs, Bennett and Forte.
Projection: 5
Start: No
Tight End
Martellus Bennett
Last week was disappointing (3-37) but after watching the tape I attribute his struggles more to the coverage skills of Panthers OLB Thomas Davis than to anything Bennett did wrong. He did miss a crucial block on the long Forte screen that may have sealed the game for the Bears if he had scored, but with just one bad game out of 5 for Bennett its way too soon to be worried. I think Bennett will bounce back with a solid 6 catch, 80 yard, 1 TD game this week.
Projection: 17
Start: Yes
Individual Defensive Player (IDP)
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Kyle Fuller
He had his lowest tackle output last week (3), but did an impressive job holding fellow rookie Kelvin Benjamin to only 3 catches for 38 yards despite 11 targets. Fuller will probably be matched up with All-Pro Julio Jones so he could struggle a bit this week.
Projection: 6
Start: No
Lance Briggs
Has only had more than 5 solo tackles in 1 game this year and he looks like he’s on his last legs.
Projection: 6
Start: No