Game Previews: All Fantasy Relevant Players For Week 7

Patriots vs. Bears

Patriots

Stifling. Chilly. Oppressive. Usually, words associated with Chicago weather, we actually get to watch the Patriots play in reasonable temps in Chicago this week. The Sunday report is calling for a 50-degree day. We should be thankful for this. Riding a three-game winning streak, I don’t think any of us would be too surprised if we found out that Rob Gronkowski was so hyped that the team physically rode him as a travel option all the way to Soldiers Field. The offense has begun clicking on all cylinders. Josh Gordon has become a legitimate option for Tom Brady. Julian Edelman has rekindled his love as the number one apple in Brady’s eye. Sony Michel is coming at defensive opponents with a vengeance and vigor that the Patriots haven’t seen often from a starting running back. What are we going to see in Chicago on Sunday? Let’s dive in and see what we have here.

Protect Tom Brady with every ounce of your strength.

The Patriots should win this one.  Three-point favorites going into Chicago, it’s a favorable matchup for them as it seems they are starting to figure out what they are as a team. But I would confess, I think the biggest concern is keeping Tom Brady upright and uninjured. The Bears, currently sitting 20 points above the average defense in football, and first overall in pass rush on FootballOutsiders.com, employs a terrifying defense that includes Khalil Mack (notably vying for the best defensive player year in and year out), Danny Trevathan, and Akiem Hicks. The Patriots may be a bit lucky if the week continues as it has so far, and Mack doesn’t make it out on the field on Sunday, as he currently isn’t practicing with an ankle injury hampering him. The defense even without him was an up and coming defense though, and I think could still give Brady some troubles. Expect the defense to put the Patriots a touch on their heels, and we could do better with other quarterback matchups this week depending on who your backup/free agency options are than a Brady being rushed in and out of the pocket. The consistency of Brady often stems from his time being able to find his targets, and this seems prime for a low passing affair and a lot of check down options to either James White or potentially Sony Michel, as he attempts to become more than just the de-facto running back. Brady should do well, but temper expectations for a lower top ten QB outcome.

Running game has become a player one affair, will it continue to work?

Round one: Fight! We have officially found ourselves the new champion of the backfield here in New England. Sony Michel has caught some tread in New England after the first two weeks of his season (weeks 2 and 3 of the season), averaging 22 carries and 105 yards over the previous 3 weeks. The Bears defense is elite, but project lesser of a threat in the running game, if only a touch lesser of a danger, averaging out as fourth best defensively against the run, and somehow as weakest up the gut of the defense. The Patriots will be more than likely be without offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, a talented but oft-injured lineman coming into the week not practicing up to Wednesday with concussion symptoms. It comes at an unfortunate time for the Patriots, who could use all the bodies they can handle to protect Brady, Michel and White from the backfield swarming. Despite all of this, I think with the Bill Belichick way of picking apart the flaws of any team, great or not so great, the Patriots will attempt to find ways to make do on the ground, I’d expect a big allotment of carries for Michel, while also seeing White potentially getting the most carries of his season, as they attempt to capitalize on what little you can take from the Bears. Michel should lead you to what I could see going as high as 30 carries, and potentially up to 130 yards. Use as you have been for the last few weeks, and let’s bet on James White for five carries, but wouldn’t be shocked if he even trends all the way up to five rushes in a ground and pound game.

Passing game of Patriots faces its toughest adversary

Less talked about in the grand scheme of the Bears defense is how spirited their secondary has been on opposing offenses. Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson, Prince Amukamara have been magnetic on their matchups, leading to a sixth overall placement in the whole league on number one wide receivers. Lesser so competition is on the second wide outs and the others beyond that, the trick is trying to find out who matches up where. With all the options available at the Patriots disposal, having Edelman back and Gordon starting to find his way into a hearty portion of the playbook, the Patriots should focus their game on mismatches more than anything else, and from what can be gleaned from what’s been shown in the statistics. With that said, I would put my best bets on great games for Rob Gronkowski, able to break off his route and mismatching on routes versus secondary players, in his immense size. With the Bears emphasis on pass rushing and scaring quarterbacks into quick decisions, it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if Gronkowski rumbles down the middle of the field breaking off from linebackers and defensive ends for a few big play break offs. Edelman should be considered the number one wide receiver on this offense by Brady targets alone, however in terms of positioning, expect Gordon or Chris Hogan to be defended more so as a number one wide receiver, as Edelman is known to break off as a slot receiver, or in interesting route trees. Josh Gordon could take the top off of the defense on a few long shots and could end up finishing with three to five passes for 80 to 100 yards with a touchdown, however this is not a defense I would like to bet on. This is going to be a great defensive to offensive matchup, and watching Belichick play chess with the defense of Chicago will be must-see television.

Predictions:

Boom: Sony Michel

Bust: Julian Edelman

Sleeper: Rob Gronkowski

-Matt Bevins

Bears

The Chicago Bears definitely let one get away last week, and they now face a tough test in order to remain above 500. The Patriots always seem to come alive after the first few weeks, and unfortunately, the Bears are in that path. Still, these should be fruitful waters as the Patriots defense has not impressed. I am willing to roll with at least a few Bears this week on my fantasy roster, and I can start the defense despite its hiccup last week.

Can Mitch Trubisky keep the streak alive?

In two straight weeks, Mitch Trubisky has thrown for 300+ yards and 3+ touchdowns per week. This came after a slow start in the first three weeks, and it leaves me wondering what to believe. I think that, like any young quarterback, Trubisky will get better with each contest. I think we are seeing improvement, even if some throws are still missed. On that note, I am happy to start the Bears QB this week against the Patriots defense, and I am confident in him moving forward. Well, I am until the next dud week…

Which running back should I start?

Comparing the two Bears running backs, Jordan Howard started stronger while lately, Tarik Cohen has been the star. So who can we trust? It seems that the Patriots are especially good at taking away what an opponent does best. What do the Bears do best? I’d say running the ball and short passes. I’d also say that this lately starts with Tarik Cohen. So, I imagine the Patriots will do what they can to bottle him up. Still, he is explosive enough to break things open even when targeted. This leaves Howard and whatever he can accomplish. I am nervous playing Howard after seeing the last two weeks (sparse usage) and a possible high-scoring game against the Patriots doesn’t alleviate that worry. Howard has certainly improved as a pass catcher, but I’m still not convinced the Bears wouldn’t trade him for the right offer.

Which wide receivers can I play?

Allen Robinson is certainly the biggest name for the Bears, but I question just how healthy he is. He has been on the injury report this week, and he missed practice this week before returning for Friday. I could see this being a decoy situation, and the workload falling to the other receivers. Taylor Gabriel seems like a safe play and will help backup Cohen in the “stretch the field” role. He is a bit boom-bust but easily worth a flex. Anthony Miller should also see a bump if Robinson is, in fact, slowed this week. He should see more targets, but I still don’t think he has fantasy value yet. Let’s wait until we see the volume go up a bit. Finally, Trey Burton remains a bit of a disappointment, saved only by his touchdown upside. He has scored in 3 games and has proven dangerous near the goal line. I love the short flip that is run through him off play action. Still, Burton feels touchdown dependent right now.

Can the defense slow down the Pats?

Finally, we come to the defense. The Bears pass rush was not its normal self last week and failed to record a sack for the first time all season. This was largely due to Khalil Mack being slowed early with an ankle injury. He didn’t look like the monster we are used to, and he has now been questionable all week. So, how do we play it this week? I would watch the status of Mack carefully. If he is playing, roll with the Bears. If not, look for someone else this week at defense.

Boom: Mitch Trubisky

Bust: Allen Robinson

Sleeper: Anthony Miller

-Mike Miklius