Chicago Bears
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (Start, High-QB1)
Justin Fields followed up his 40-point performance with another one! Is it crazy to predict he gets 40 points three weeks in a row? Maybe, but you’re starting him either way, especially against a Falcons defense allowing 20 points per game (ppg) to quarterbacks.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, High-RB2), Trestan Ebner (Sit)
In case you missed it, the Bears have placed Khalil Herbert on IR, meaning he’ll miss at least four weeks. Trestan Ebner is the next man up, but I don’t expect a lot of use from him this week. Leave him on your bench for now.
With Herbert missing time this backfield belongs solely to David Montgomery. Although Montgomery will be the feature back Fields has five rushing touchdowns in the last four games, so there is still some competition for carries. Even though he only has ten or more points once in his last five games, I like Montgomery as a high-RB2 this week against a Falcons defense that’s allowing 17.2 ppg to running backs.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Darnell Mooney (Start, Low-WR2), Chase Claypool (Sit, Low-WR3), Dante Pettis (Sit), Equanimeous St. Brown (Sit), Byron Pringle (Sit) Cole Kmet (Start, TE1)
Darnell Mooney only saw four targets last week, but he caught all four for 57 yards. Four targets were his lowest since Week 2 so I don’t have much concern there. His four targets were also the second-highest on the team, only behind Cole Kmet. Chase Claypool only saw two targets last week. It looks like the Bears are still trying to figure out how to use Claypool and I wouldn’t be excited about having to start him in your lineup this week. Even though they’re playing the Falcons who give up 28 ppg to wide receivers, the second-highest in the league, I’m rating both guys on the lower ends of the scale. This offense goes as far as Fields’ legs and Kmet can take them, not much relying on the wide receivers.
Cole Kmet has two touchdowns in two straight games. It’s clear he has become a focal point of this passing game and a favorite target of Justin Fields. He’s averaging 6.5 targets over the last two games and has a snap count percentage of 90+ every week since Week 3. There will come a time when he doesn’t get two touchdowns a game, but he’ll continue to be a factor in this offense.
Sit Dante Pettis, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Byron Pringle without any hesitation.
I don’t expect to see much of Caleb Huntley in the mix this week, he should remain on waivers.
Last week Drake London had his second-best week of the year with 14.8 points. London found the endzone last week for the first time since Week 3. It’s tough to predict if this is a trend of things to come or a flash in the pan. This week London faces a Bears defense allowing 18 ppg to opposing wide receivers.