Fantasy Football: Week 8 Chicago Bears Starts and Sits
By Mark Hespen
The Chicago Bears host the New York Jets in week 8 needing a win. Which Bears players are going to put up BIG fantasy numbers? Who can you bench this week? I’m your Bears fantasy expert.
Back to back losses hurt this team in real life, but in the fantasy football world some Bears players have carried your team to wins. Here is my outlook for this weekend in fantasy football.
Start
Last week the offense put up 31 points and the ball was spread around. Week 8 is the first time a big name is being left off my start list.
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Mitchell Trubisky: Trubisky has been a fantasy monster the past three weeks. Even with the two interceptions against the Patriots, Trubisky put up over 30 fantasy points. His ability to make plays with his feet are a massive fantasy bonus. six carries, 81 yards, and a TD is what you hope from an RB2 and he made it look easy. Expect Trubisky to continue to make plays with his feet while he gets comfortable in this offense. Definitely a QB1 starter.
Trey Burton: Well I whiffed on this last week! Burton showed up with the injury to Allen Robinson last week. I fully expect his connection with Trubisky to continue. Also Burton leads this team in TD receptions with four. He has proven himself as a reliable fantasy option. I don’t see the Jets LBs matching up well with Burton this week. If you are in a PPR league he is a TE1 or Flex starter.
Tarik Cohen: Cohen has earned a role in this offense and he isn’t going anywhere. He is now 2nd in the team in receptions and yards. The Jets defensive strength is their D-line, expect Trubisky to dump it off to Cohen a lot this week. Cohen’s upside is all through the air, PPR is a must for Cohen to be worth the start. Definitely a PPR RB2 or Flex.
Sit
Last week I said sit Jordan Howard and the Defense. Howard got the goal line TD that saved his day, the Defense however I was spot on with. Here is who to avoid this week.
Taylor Gabriel: I don’t love the matchup this week for Gabriel. The Jets will try to get after Trubisky, which means not enough time to throw deep. Gabriel will get a jet sweep or two, and a couple WR bubble screens, which will help in PPR leagues. If Gabriel can make things happen on the yards after catch (YAC) then I may regret sitting him this week.
Play’em at your own Risk
This category is all about boom or bust risk. At this time in your fantasy season you may need to start or sit these players depending on how desperate you are for a win!
Jordan Howard: The TD saved him last week from being a fantasy dud. However he did get that TD, which means there is a chance if the Bears get in the goal line multiple times Howard could have Multiple TD’s. However this Jets D will look to stop the run and force Trubisky to beat them. I think he will, but that means I think Cohen has a much bigger game then Howard this week. Definitely a RB2 for deeper leagues.
Defense/Special Teams: I expect the Defense to bounce back against the rookie QB Sam Darnold. BUT… the health of Khalil Mack is such a problem if you need this defense to score to win your game this week. I would lean towards starting them unless you have a better option on your bench or waivers.
I fully expect the Bears to bounce back and win this game against the Jets. Look for a big day from Mitchell and Cohen, and don’t be surprised which defense shows up… As always you can ask you your Fantasy Football questions on Twitter @MarkHespen