Fantasy Football: Week 2 Chicago Bears Starts & Sits
By Mark Hespen
Bears have to wait until Monday night to play, who is worth the wait? Who should you sit?
Start
Last week I told you to start Jordan Howard, Trey Burton, and Allen Robinson. Obviously Burton, and Robinson didn’t hit the way I thought they would. Now we know a lot more about what this Bears offense should look like. So which Bears players are in my starting line up this week?
Jordan Howard: He deserves the start again, and yes in PPR leagues as well! Howard showed up in the passing offense for the first time in his career. 5 catches for 25 yards, to go along with the 82 yards on the ground in week one. Coach Nagy was questioned for passing on 3rd and 1 in the red zone, it will lead to Howard getting red zone opportunities. He had triple the carries as Tarik Cohen, I expect that to continue. Definitely RB1, RB2, or Flex starter.
Trey Burton: I know! I know! I got burned by starting Burton week 1 too. But I believe that he will find his rhythm in week 2. Burton was targeted 6 times last week, coming up with only 1 catch. Burton should get another 6 targets at least, and I doubt he will be held to 1 catch again. Lets not overreact, Burton is Mitchell Trubisky’s security blanket and he wont miss him wide open in the end zone in week 2. Definitely TE1 or Flex starter.
Bears Defense/Special Teams: The Bears Defense is nasty! Week 1 they had 4 sacks, a pick 6, and caused a lost fumble. They take on a Seattle team that was sacked 6 times by the Broncos, also Russell Wilson threw 2 picks week 1. I fully Expect the Bears Defense to want to bounce back from that bad 2nd half against the Green Bay Packers. Plus don’t count out the electric Cohen in the return game. Definitely Def/Special Teams starter.
Allen Robinson: Here’s the thing. If he is on your team you drafted him before round 5. DON’T PANIC!!! Definitely WR2 or Flex starter.
Sit
Last week I was absolutely right when I said don’t start any other WR’s not named Allen. Week 2 is much of the same except in deeper fantasy leagues.
Taylor Gabriel: Gabriel was underwhelming in week 1. You could make the argument he will have a bounce back week like Burton. But I don’t trust his role in this offense yet. If Gabriel is the bubble screen guy, he might be worth a look in 16 team PPR leagues. Otherwise he is boom or bust potential, and I’m not taking the risk. Possible Flex option in 16 team leagues.
Anthony Miller, and Dion Simms I feel the same way about. It is not crazy that one of them catches a TD and has a nice night. But it isn’t worth the risk.
Play’em at your own Risk
Week 1 this category was Mitchell Trubisky, and the Bears Defense. If you started both of them you did well! Lets hope for some of the same this week.
Mitchell Trubisky: He was helped by his rushing numbers week 1 which included that big TD run. I put Trubisky here again because of what Case Keenum of the Broncos did against the Seahawks week 1. Keenum had over 300 yards and 3 TD’s, but he also was picked off 3 times. The Broncos also rushed for over 140 yards as a team. I believe the Bears will focus on the run game especially in the red zone. Because of this I worry about Trubisky’s boom potential week 2. QB1 at your own risk.
Tarik Cohen: Cohen is the definition of Boom or Bust. To be honest he will be here most weeks unless there is an injury to Howard. Would it shock anyone if Cohen has a huge day? No. Was I expecting 25 yards rushing, and 1 catch? No. Flex starter at your own risk.
As always follow me on Twitter @MarkHespen so we can get into heated debates about meaningless fantasy sports!