Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: CBS
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: Sit, QB2
Caleb Williams has had a very slow start to the season. The Bears’ interior offensive line is an absolute disaster. He has not been able to throw his first touchdown in the NFL and saw two costly turnovers last week. The good news for Williams is that in his next six weeks, he faces only four top-25 pass rushers, according to PFF. The Colt’s defense is a fair step back from the Texans, which bodes well for Williams. Will that be enough for Williams to jump into the top 12 players at the position, though? Unlikely.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: FLEX Option
D’Andre Swift has been averaging 2.0 yards per carry this season. The Chicago Bears have gone from one of the best rushing teams in the NFL to the worst. That is what we call the Shane Waldron effect. If you can avoid playing Swift, you should do it. He comes in as my RB28 on the week. He may start losing work if he isn’t able to find some more room to run soon. The Colts rank at the bottom of the league against opposing running backs and just allowed Josh Jacobs to post over 150 yards on the ground, so the opportunity is there. However, I would not be surprised to see multiple backs get touches in Week 3.
Wide Receiver
DJ Moore: Start, WR2
Keenan Allen: Sit
Rome Odunze: Sit
DJ Moore looked displeased with his young quarterback in Week 2, to say the least. He is getting the target volume you would hope for, but unfortunately, the quality of those targets has been all over the board. The good news is that Moore rarely leaves the field, playing 99% of the snaps in Week 2. Not only that, but Keenan Allen is still questionable, and Rome Odunze, while playing, is nursing an MCL Sprain. Expect Moore to get his usual compliment of targets in Week 3 while facing one of the bottom teams in the league against opposing wide receivers.
Tight End
Cole Kmet: Sit, TE2
Cole Kmet struggled to get on the field in Week 1, but that was corrected in Week 2, as he eclipsed the 75% snap share mark. He saw just a 13% target share, though, which is less than ideal. Kmet is a fine injury or bye week fill-in, but until the Bears figure out their new-look offense, he is off the radar.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: Start, QB1
Anthony Richardson threw three interceptions in Week 2 and rushed for only 37 yards. It was a dud week for the young Quarterback. Richardson has this kind of boom-bust skillset, so fantasy managers who roster him shouldn’t be surprised. Unfortunately for those managers, Week 3 gets even more difficult as the Colts welcome in the Chicago Bears. The Bears may be a mess on offense, but their defense is one of the best in the league. Richardson has the advantage of his rushing skillset, which he may need to rely heavily on in Week 3. The Bears defense has allowed just 21 points per game and could force a similar turnover count against the mistake-prone signal caller. It is hard to move Richardson out of the QB1 conversation in any single week, but the ceiling is lower this week, and he lands as my QB9 on the week.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: Start, RB1
Jonathan Taylor averaged over 8.5 yards per carry in Week 2. He saw only around half of the snaps, but that is likely to change in Week 3. The Bears’ strength on defense is their secondary, which could mean another 20-touch game for Taylor. He has a three-down skillset and should not have trouble carrying the Colts offense in Week 3. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Taylor find the endzone in this one.
Wide Receiver
Michael Pittman: Start, WR2
Adonai Mitchell: Sit
Alec Pierce: Sit
Josh Downs: Sit
The Colts wide receivers are going to be a rollercoaster for most of the season. Alec Pierce has led the way for the Colts wide receivers. He is currently the WR8 in full PPR leagues. That is not something you should expect to continue. The occasional broken coverage or successful nine route has been a majority of Pierce’s production. Michael Pittman is the number one weapon in this room. He has the most consistent usage among all Colts wide receivers. Adonai Mitchell has also seen a 17% target share. All of that can change, though, with the return of Josh Downs. Downs is likely to return this week, which will hurt each of the other wide receivers. Everyone not named Pittman should remain on your bench, and if Downs is available, he is worth an add before he steps onto the field. He was the star of camp this offseason.
Tight End
Sit All
The Colts’ tight end situation is a bit of a mess. With no single option to lead the way, it’s best to avoid them this week.