Darnell Mooney can explode on Minnesota Vikings

Start Darnell Mooney in fantasy when the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings

Darnell Mooney has been one of the few bright spots on the Chicago Bears offense. He has been integrated into the offense more and more, and last week saw a career-high 11 targets. With 24 targets over the past three weeks, it is beginning to feel as though Mooney is itching to break out. Two big plays against the Saints were nice, but Mooney has 40, 69, and 43 yards in the past three weeks.

However, while everyone is taking this week to poke at the Chicago Bears offense, I am going to call my shot. Darnell Mooney is going over 100 yards and will score a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

When looking at the Chicago Bears offensive woes, not enough is being put into who they have played. Everyone calling for Mitch Trubisky to start because they went 3-0 has to realize they faced three below-average defenses.

Nick Foles has faced four of the top ten defenses in the NFL, and the Bears have predictably gone 1-3 in those games. It is fair to note that is 1-1 against below-average defenses, but it also fair to note that the Bears only beat the Falcons below-average unit because of Foles.

However, beyond just the overall defenses is the realization of what these defenses are. When looking at explosive pass defense, which is the number of 15 or more yard passes allowed, the Bears have faced just three opponents who are below 15th.

That is the Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons. The Carolina Panthers rank 15th in explosive pass defense, while the Titans rank 4th in allowing deep passes.

Take a look at the chart below provided by SharpFootballStats. The Bears are getting out of a stretch playing some of the best defenses in the NFL at containing deep passes.

However, look at what they have on deck in the Minnesota Vikings. They have the 32nd ranked explosive pass defense. The Bears played the 31st ranked Falcons and scored 30 points with multiple explosive passes.

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The Vikings are a bit hotter now than they were to start the season, but their pass defense still has holes. Off of their bye week, they beat Green Bay and Detroit. Against Green Bay, Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan, Malik Turner, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling all had at least one reception of 15 yards or more.

Against the Lions, Danny Amendola, Quintez Cephus, DeAndre Swift, and Marvin Jones all recorded an explosive pass. Marvin Hall had a 14-yard reception and was just missed on a long bomb deep where he was open as well.

The Vikings are likely to start Kris Boyd and Chris Jones with Jeff Gladney at cornerback. Aside from Gladney, who plays in the slot, Mooney should be able to toast Boyd and Jones with ease.

Against the 31st worst pass defense in Atlanta, Foles was able to take advantage. If he can do the same against the worst defense Foles has faced since then, Mooney should be off to the races for a game that will make everyone in the fantasy world know his name.