Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, October 24th at 8:15 PM EST
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Betting Odds: CHI +8, 39.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: ESPNWriter: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Sit)
It was another letdown game for Justin Fields in Week 6, though his fantasy day was saved with 88 rushing yards on 12 carries. He completed 14 of 27 for just 190 yards, a passing touchdown, and an interception in the loss to the Commanders last Thursday night. Fields owns a 4:5 passing touchdown to interception ratio to start the season, and is not a viable streaming option with the likes of Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Kirk Cousins on their BYE. It’ll be another primetime game this week against the New England defense that is giving up the 15th most fantasy points to QBs this season.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, RB2), Khalil Herbert (Sit)
David Montgomery turned 15 carries into 67 yards, with a 13-yard reception in the loss to Washington. Through six games, one of which he missed, Montgomery still owns a 50.3% to 40.8% snap percentage over Khalil Herbert. Herbert himself was out-snapped last week but did rush for 75 yards on seven carries against the Commanders, but he truly needs Montgomery out of the picture to have fantasy relevancy. Consider Montgomery an RB2 this week, but it’s worth noting the Patriots’ defense has given up the 31st most fantasy points to the position this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Darnell Mooney (Sit), Dante Pettis (Sit), Cole Kmet (Sit)
With the Chicago offense struggling the way they are, it’s hard to find any pass-catcher worth starting. Darnell Mooney, the defacto WR1, isn’t taking the leap we all hoped for with Allen Robinson now on the Rams; again, primarily due to Fields’ poor play. Mooney is coming off a seven-catch game (12 targets) for 68 yards against the Commanders, but he has yet to find the end zone this season through six games. Dante Pettis somehow was targeted seven times in Week 6, catching four passes for 84 yards and Fields’ lone touchdown. Even so, he doesn’t possess any fantasy relevancy. Tight end Cole Kmet was targeted only three times last week, catching one pass for 15 yards. An alleged sleeper in drafts this summer, Kmet belongs on the wire as he has been all season.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Bailey Zappe (Sit), Mac Jones (Sit)
Rookie Bailey Zappe is coming off a 24 for 34, 309-yard, and two-touchdown victory against Cleveland. That said, his time as a starter may be coming to an end this week with Mac Jones (ankle) expected to return after missing the last three games. No matter who is under center this week for the Pats, you can do better on the streaming front, especially with this game being Monday night. The Bears have only given up the 23rd most fantasy points to QBs on the year, so they do have that going for them.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson (Start, RB1)
Rhamondre Stevenson owners were elated to be able to deploy him last week, knowing Damien Harris wasn’t in the mix. Stevenson took full advantage, turning 19 carries into 76 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 15 yards. With Harris dealing with a hamstring injury, it’s quite possible he is set to miss another few weeks of games, allowing Stevenson to be a weekly RB1. The matchup is excellent, as Chicago has given up the ninth most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jakobi Meyers (Start, WR2), Tyquan Thorton (Sit, but consider stashing), Hunter Henry (Start if you must, TE2), Jonnu Smith (Sit)
Jakobi Meyers was only targeted four times against the Browns, but he caught all of them for 60 yards. He has at least 55 receiving yards in all four games he’s played this season, and that trend should continue with not many mouths to feed in the New England pass game. Rookie Tyquan Thorton had himself a game last week, catching one of Zappe’s touchdown passes; the other was a rushing score on a jet sweep. The scores definitely elevated his box score, as he otherwise only had four receptions on five targets for 35 yards. Thorton is sure to be a popular waiver add this week, but temper expectations until you see him do more. He’ll need to overtake the likes of DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, which shouldn’t be too hard to do.
Hunter Henry is the New England tight end to own again this season, and even that’s a stretch on the weekly. He did catch four of seven targets for 61 yards and a touchdown last week, compared to the two targets that Jonnu Smith saw and hauled in, also for 61 yards. Consider Henry a TE2 in deeper leagues.