Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 27th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Betting Odds: CHI -7.5, 46.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Mitchell Trubisky (Start-able High-end QB2)
His fantasy stat line wasn’t great last week, but Mitchell Trubisky played pretty well outside his ugly interception late in the game. The match-up is encouraging this week. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. Plus, the Bears are still on the playoff bubble and will treat this week as a must-win match-up.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, RB1)
David Montgomery has been unstoppable for the past four weeks, averaging 26.5 fantasy points per game over that span. The Jaguars allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs and the third-most ground yards per game this year, so Montgomery should be good to go for another week. Start with confidence.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Allen Robinson II (Start, WR1), Darnell Mooney (Sit), Anthony Miller (Sit), Cole Kmet (Start-able High-end TE2), Jimmy Graham (Sit)
The Bears’ offense has been clicking over the past couple of weeks, and Trubisky has been looking to Allen Robinson II on pivotal plays. This week’s match-up has me confidently putting Robinson in the WR1 tier. The Jaguars allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Robinson should be in all starting fantasy lineups this week.
Darnell Mooney put up a respectable fantasy performance last week, but his fantasy stat lines have been bolstered with a touchdown the past two weeks. The match-up is favorable, and Mooney could do well against a struggling Jaguars defense, but I’m still ranking him just outside flex range. I wouldn’t want to trust him in any fantasy championships.
Anthony Miller hasn’t been productive enough to trust in fantasy lineups. He only has one double-digit fantasy performance over the past six weeks. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere.
It seems Cole Kmet has passed Jimmy Graham on the Bears’ depth chart. Graham no longer holds much fantasy value, although he could still catch a random red zone target at any time. Kmet’s snap count has been trending up, but Cole still hasn’t had consistent fantasy production lately, putting him outside TE1 territory. He could be start-able if you’re in a bind. Jacksonville is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew II (Sit)
The Bears have been quite capable against fantasy quarterbacks, allowing the 11th-fewest points to the position this year. To make matters worse, Gardner Minshew II is only averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game since we returned in Week 14. Minshew should be riding the fantasy bench this week, especially if you’re in the fantasy playoffs.
Running Backs
James Robinson (Flex with RB2 upside)
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said James Robinson sat out of practice this Wednesday, but Robinson himself said he expects to suit up against the Bears this week. James struggled against the Ravens last week but still finished the week as an RB2. Unfortunately, the Bears allowed the ninth-fewest points to fantasy running backs this year, meaning it could be another tough week for James. Still, Robinson had a sensational rookie season and should have a little RB2 upside even though he’s more of a flex value this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
D.J. Chark Jr. (Sit), Keelan Cole Sr. (Sit), Laviska Shenault Jr. (Sit), Tyler Eifert (Sit)
D.J. Chark Jr. hasn’t been very fantasy-relevant lately, averaging just 7.34 fantasy points per game over his past five. Plus, the Bears allowed the fourth-least fantasy points to receivers this year. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a more trustworthy option.
Keelan Cole Sr. has been too inconsistent to trust in any fantasy lineups. He has eight single-digit fantasy performances and six double-digit showings this year. Similarly, Laviska Shenault Jr. just hasn’t been productive enough to trust this year. His best fantasy performance of the season was only 15.8 points. He’s not likely to win anybody any fantasy championships this week.
Tyler Eifert isn’t getting enough work to warrant much fantasy consideration. The match-up is pretty great. The Bears allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this year, but it’s still not enough to boost him into the start-able territory. Eifert is touchdown-dependent and will probably need a touchdown to have any chance at a respectable fantasy performance.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse on Twitter)