Kickoff: Sunday, January 9th at 1 PM ET
Location: US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
Betting Odds: MIN, -3.5, 44.5 Total on Oddsshark
Network: Fox
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Start, QB2)
Justin Fields should be unhinged this week. Look for him to go ballistic against the Vikings, in Week 15 Fields threw for 285 yards and a TD against these same Vikings. It’s Week 18 and both these teams have nothing to lose and should be ready to unleash their young talent. Fields is a QB2 start this week with massive QB1 potential.
Over the last two weeks, Justin Fields ranks:
7th in EPA+CPOE Composite
10th in EPA/play
4th in CPOE
1st in PFF offense grade
2nd in PFF passing grade
1st amongst QBs in rushing grade
1st in Big-Time Throws
1st in aDOT
4th in grade under pressure pic.twitter.com/174XDWDCC2— Christian Williams (@CWilliamsNFL) November 9, 2021
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, RB2), Khalil Herbert (Sit)
David Montgomery that man has a family pic.twitter.com/OOP4fbgEoB
— Matthias Schwartzkopf (@MatthiasWRNL) December 26, 2021
David Montgomery is coming off quite a two-game stretch where he has scored three touchdowns. In the Bears’ previous meeting with the Vikings, Monty ran for 60 yards and caught five passes for 23 yards. The Vikings have allowed the eighth-most yards (1,668) and seventh-most TDs (12). Look for Monty to be a strong RB2 option.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Yeah… once Justin Fields takes over, Darnell Mooney should become a thing in fantasy. https://t.co/HjmVkw7QJf
— Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL) July 19, 2021
Darnell Mooney (Start, WR3/Flex), Allen Robinson (Sit), Cole Kmet (Sit)
Darnell Mooney has 22 targets in the past two games and looks like the Alpha in the Bears’ receiving room. Mooney has averaged 7.42 targets/game with Field as his quarterback. This should lead to a game worthy of a WR3/Flex start. If there’s ever a game for Allen Robinson to show out before free agency it’s Week 18. Last week Robinson got six targets but only converted them into four receptions for 35 yards. If I’m in a title game in Week 18, I’m not giving Robinson a start this week. Cole Kmet has averaged 7 targets/game since Week 12, but without the touchdown, I can’t safely call him a start this week.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start, QB2)
2 years ago today
Kirk Cousins threw for 242 yds and 1 TD as he upset the 13-3 Saints in the Superdome 😈 pic.twitter.com/IQmxWD8G1m— E̷d̷w̷i̷n̷ (@IMissWinning) January 5, 2022
Kirk Cousins had a weak showing the last time he played the Bears. Throwing in for 87 yards and two touchdowns, but if he plays then he should be considered a start. Cousins is fresh off the COVID-IR list and is due 43 million next year so there might be incentive to keep him on the bench. The downside of that is that we have to see Sean Mannion play football again.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB2), Alexander Mattison (Start, RB2)
Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison combined for 13 rushing yards last week. It’s safe to assume that this game should be better for both parties. The Vikings have nothing to play for so I wouldn’t be surprised if Mattison takes on the workload in this game. Cook had 89 yards in the Week 15 clash and whoever starts in this game should be in for a RB2 game with RB1 potential.
Alexander Mattison muscles in for the TD 💪
(via @Vikings)pic.twitter.com/STh0LQm4jO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 10, 2021
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR2), KJ Osborn (Start, WR3/flex), Tyler Conklin (Start)
50 YARDS. Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson. Griddy time. #SKOL
📺: #MINvsBAL on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/HWr6uhQ8Jp— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Justin Jefferson with Kirk Cousins is a locked and loaded WR1. KJ Osborn has touchdowns in the past two games and has taken advantage of his role without Adam Thielen. I think this will continue this week against the Bears, as long as he continues to average six targets as the Vikings WR2. Tyler Conklin has averaged seven targets a game without Thielen and should continue this target share against the Bears, making him a decent start candidate for your Week 18 lineups.