Bears@Vikings
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29th at 1:00 PM EST
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Betting Odds: MIN -1, 37 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Irv Smith Jr.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback:
- Mitchell Trubisky (Sit)
With the Bears not playing for anything, I expected way better of Mitchell Trubisky last week against the Chiefs. Instead, he went 18-34 for just 157 yards in a 26-3 losing effort. Week 17 the Bears face the Vikings, who are locked into the sixth-seed in the NFC. They may rest starters, which could bode well for Trubisky, but I wouldn’t trust him to this final week of your fantasy season.
Running Backs:
- David Montgomery (Sit)
- Tarik Cohen (Sit)
David Montgomery has had a lackluster rookie season after a fair amount of preseason hype. He’s especially been a nonfactor in the last three games. I’m not trusting him this week either, even against a Vikings team that allowed Packers’ Aaron Jones to score two touchdowns this past Monday. Last Sunday in the check-down mode most of the game, Trubisky didn’t connect much with Tarik Cohen, which also makes me shy away from him this upcoming game in Minnesota.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Allen Robinson II (Start, WR2)
- Anthony Miller (Start, WR3/FLEX)
- Jesper Horsted (Sit)
- J.P. Holtz (Sit)
- Eric Saubert (Sit)
Allen Robinson II continues to be a start candidate despite the play of his QB. He’s had 10+ targets in four of the last five games, and now faces a Vikings team – who may rest some players – that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers on the season. Anthony Miller was a severe bust last week after a string of productive games as of late, and if I had to start him this week, I’d consider him back on the WR3/FLEX map.
If it wasn’t obvious already, any of the three Chicago tight ends hold zero streaming appeal.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback:
- Kirk Cousins (Sit)
- Sean Mannion (Sit)
The Vikings are locked into a playoff spot, and for that, I wouldn’t start Kirk Cousins this week. He may start, but likely won’t finish the game. Not to mention, he was really poor last week against Green Bay in a game that had implications for Minnesota. Backup QB Sean Mannion is an obvious sit as well.
Running Backs:
- Mike Boone (Start if you must, RB2)
- Ameer Abdullah (Start if you must, FLEX)
With Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison likely to sit this game as they did Week 16, this should be a day featuring Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah. Boone was a hot waiver add for Week 16, but he failed to deliver. That being said, if you are in a desperate situation, consider both Boone and Abdullah (who may benefit more because of the pass-game potential) starts, especially if Mannion sees most of the snaps under center.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Stefon Diggs (Sit)
- Adam Thielen (Sit)
- Olabisi Johnson (Sit)
- Kyle Rudolph (Start if you must, TE2)
- Irv Smith Jr. (Start, TE2)
At the time of writing, it’s unclear if the likes of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen will end up starting or sitting, but because of the potential for the latter, I’m not comfortable starting either this week. Diggs was decent against Green Bay, but Thielen was a complete dud. I would certainly pivot elsewhere at WR, but it won’t be Olabisi Johnson who I look towards. The only receiving threat I would consider would be tight end Irv Smith Jr. Kyle Rudolph is a start if you must, but you have to consider he too may end up resting, which opens the door for Smith Jr. to have himself a nice game.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)