Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 26th at 4:05 PM ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Betting Odds: SEA -7, 43.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Start, Low-end QB1)
Despite an offensive game-plan that centers around running the ball early and often, Justin Fields has been playing like the fantasy monster his draft profile suggested he could become. Fields has been a fantasy QB1 in four of his last five starts, showing accuracy throwing the call and rushing upside as a ball carrier. Fields struggles in the pocket at times, feeling pressure and taking unnecessary hits, but he is also throwing dimes all over the field. He could have many more big plays if luck had gone his way on a few plays. Fields is a solid fantasy starter this week, and throughout the fantasy playoffs.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, RB2)
Bears lead back David Montgomery had another solid outing last week, finishing as an RB2 with 60 yards on 18 carries while catching another five balls. Montgomery battled injury mid-season but his involvement in the passing game has been up and down. Khalil Herbert has stolen passing game work in several of the Bears last four contests. Combine this with the fact that DMont has scored just once since Week 4. Montgomery lacks the upside he had at the beginning of the season but with so much opportunity he still has a great chance to return RB2 value this week. He is a solid play. However, without an injury Herbert is a backup on your fantasy bench.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Darnell Mooney (Start, Flex), Cole Kmet (Start, Low-end TE1)
The Bears receiving corps has struggled to maintain consistent production throughout the season. Darnell Mooney has flashed at times, culminating with three big games in Weeks 9-11 but since Mooney has been up and down. Lost opportunities and bad luck have contributed to quiet weeks. If you must, Mooney is a decent low-end flex play as he has big game potential, but if you have better options consider them.
If there are fantasy managers struggling to find a tight-end streamer, Bears rookie Cole Kmet could be a sneaky pickup. Kmet caught six of his nine targets last week and barely missed a touchdown on a ball that was tipped. Seattle has given up eight touchdowns to opposing tight-ends, including two multiple touchdown games. He is a risk but could have a breakout game this week.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, Low-end QB1)
Russell Wilson had a rough fantasy outing last week. his worst fantasy game of the season. Wilson had been playing well, after two slow weeks coming back from his injury, but last week the team could not get anything going. Russ should get things back on track against a Bears defense that is third-worst defending the position. Look for a solid bounce-back game from Wilson.
Running Backs
Rashaad Penny (Start, RB2), DeeJay Dallas (Sit)
Just a few days after head coach Pete Carroll stated that Rashaad Penny “deserves a shot” at the Seahawks, Penny promptly left last week’s game with an abdominal injury. He was in and out of the lineup, actually ceding a touchdown to DeeJay Dallas while he was on the sidelines, but the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Penny is a talented back, capable of explosive gains and high upside. In fact, Penny could have had a better night against the Rams last week, he had two 8-9 yard gains called back due to holding. Penny is a speculative play with enormous upside, and that is worth a shot in your lineup.
Dallas would serve as the lead ball-carrier should Penny miss time, but anyone who believes that the Transformers series is superior to Marvel’s Avengers belongs on your bench.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Tyler Lockett (Start, WR2), DK Metcalf (Start, Flex), Gerald Everett (Sit)
DK Metcalf earned 12 targets last week for just 52 yards. He did get free on a deep ball but the throw hung in the air and allowed Jalen Ramsey to recover enough to break up the pass. Metcalf hasn’t scored more than 11 fantasy points in a week since Week 8, a disappointing stretch for a player that many fantasy managers expected to break out. Metcalf has seen eight or more targets in four of his last five games, an opportunity that most receivers in the flex range just don’t see. That alone should make you feel comfortable slotting him in as a third receiver or flex play, but starting him could also backfire. Proceed with caution.
Tyler Lockett is expected back this week, after missing Week 15 due to Covid. Lockett should play this week and he belongs in your lineup. With five games of 20+ fantasy points this season, Lockett is a player that could be the difference between winning and losing in your fantasy playoff matchup. He is boom or bust but set him in your lineup and hope for the boom week.
Gerald Everett saw 77% of the routes at tight end last week against the Rams and is the third option in the passing game but the Bears have been solid defending the position all season. The Bears are allowing just 35 yards and have given up only four touchdowns all season against opposing tight ends. Everett has been a streaming play all season but this week managers should look to find a better option.
-Marc Salazar (@oldsnake77)