Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
Final Score: Vikings 30-12 Bears
Geoff Ulrich (@thefantasygrind)
This game was never really a contest. The Vikings drove the ball at will during the first half and even suffered a Sam Darnold interception in the red zone to lead 13-0. Then they started the second half with a long TD drive that ended in an Aaron Jones TD. The Bears got some decent runs from D’Andre Swift but were limited to short passes. Caleb Williams was also inaccurate and missed bigger throws downfield. It was the same game we’ve seen from the Bears the last two months, as their losing streak hit eight games.
Three Up
- Keenan Allen – 13 targets. The clear leader in a passing game that is focused on short, simple-timing throws.
- Aaron Jones – 18 carries and a very productive day. The clear lead back in an efficient offense.
- TJ Hockenson – He’s become an integral part of the passing game again. Seven targets was third on the team, but he’s getting his looks.
Three Down
- Caleb Williams – Another poor fantasy outing. He missed some throws in this one, and his rushing dried up here as well.
- Rome Odunze – Unlucky to some extent but also had a drop in the end zone.
- Ciole Kmet – A nothing for fantasy unless one of the Bears’ WRs gets hurt.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: 18/31 191, TD | 4 carries, 3 yards
Williams wasn’t overtly terrible, but he also didn’t do anything to elevate his team. He missed throws in the red zone, didn’t make any big rushes, and relied on a pitch-and-catch game with Keenan Allen that wasn’t even that efficient.
For whatever reason, he seems to have trouble connecting with Rome Odunze, who seems open on every play. It’s likely hard to be a Caleb Truther right now because there were opportunities for him against this mediocre secondary.
Notes
- At least he only took two sacks? But didn’t create with his legs, so there was no fantasy benefit
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: 19 carries, 79 yards | 1 reception, 10 yards, 1 target
Swift played through injury again and looked more efficient than he did last week, so there is the possibility that he is getting healthier. He only ceded a couple of carries to Travis Homer (two of which came on the final drive with the game done) but did only see one target in the passing game.
Regardless, Swift was the best player on the Bears offense again this week. He made numerous nice plays, including a 17-yard run down to the goal line. His fantasy day could have been better, but from a real-life perspective, the fact he played and finished healthy makes it OK to be bullish on his prospects for the final couple of weeks.
Notes
- Got unlucky from a TD perspective to be stopped so close to the goal line.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
DJ Moore: 8 receptions, 46 yards, 8 targets | 3 rushes, 24 yards
Moore had some solid usage in this game. Eight targets did put him five behind Allen for the team lead, but he also saw three carries, most of which came early in the game, as the Bears tried to get him more involved. He didn’t break a big play, but the increased volume was good to see.
Notes
- The Vikings just did a good job of keeping more in front of them.
- His receiving targets continue to come on mostly short-yardage throws, so if he doesn’t break for a big catch and gain, he’s almost always going to disappoint.
Keenan Allen: 6 receptions, 82 yards, TD, 13 targets
The clear-cut favorite of Caleb Williams right now. Allen continues to be one of the best separators in the league, and if he had a more accurate QB, he would have had a better day. His TD came in garbage time, but that’s an every-week thing with the Bears and will be the final three weeks as well, thanks to their schedule. He should be reliable the rest of the way.
Notes
- Out-targeted Moore 13-8 and Odunze 13-7. Allen owners should feel good about this game.
Rome Odunze: 2 receptions, 39 yards, 7 targets
Odunze had a horrid day, although it wasn’t all his fault. He dropped a 16-yard TD but also got overthrown on another potential TD AND also had Keenan Allen get in front of him on another potential TD.
Odunze gets open a lot, so there could be some big days down the stretch, but days like this do make him a hard player to go back to. If you have a player injured and he’s on waivers, there are worse options as a fill-in. He’s got 100 yards and a TD upside, especially with how the Bears always seem to end up in pass-heavy gamescripts.
Notes
- Could have had a pretty big game, but nothing broke his way
Cole Kmet: 1 reception, 14 yards, 1 target
Kmet is just totally frozen out of this offense. He has had some big days, but that’s generally only been when one of the top three WRs is hurt, and the defense shifts over to allow Kmet short easy passes over the middle. None of that happened here.
Unless one of the big three sits, he’s an easy fade.
Notes
- Couldn’t even get targets in a game the Bears trailed from start to finish
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: 24/40, 231 yards, TD, INT
Darnold didn’t have the most efficient day, but you have to be buoyed by the fact he threw the ball 40 times in a game where the Vikings led from start to finish. Kevin O’Connell clearly trusts his QB, and the fact he has two elite WRs in Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson to work with only boosts his upside.
Darnold missed out on more fantasy points in this one, and his INT inside the Bears’ red zone hurt, but he still has a ton of upside in this offense.
Notes
- Not the greatest day, with lots of short passing, but the Bears didn’t do anything to press Darnold’s hand.
Running Back
Aaron Jones: 18 carries, 86 yards, TD | 2 receptions, 20 yards, 3 targets
Jones had a solid day and reaffirmed that he’s the best RB on this team. He was wildly more efficient than Akers, who is getting some work later in games when the Vikings are ahead. Jones also broke off a nice catch and run in this game, and while he doesn’t get the biggest volume as a receiver, he is underrated in that aspect of the game.
Notes
- Very solid game, the clear best back on Minnesota. There is no Akers uprising
Cam Akers: 10 carries, 24 yards, TD
His 10 carries are bullish, but the Vikings were trying to limit Jones’ workload in a game they had well in hand. The TD was nice, but if the Vikings get behind, his usage will likely dry up
Notes
- He is the clear backup to Jones, so if Jones gets hurt, Akers would be an easy RB2 or better
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 7 receptions, 73 yards, TD, 13 targets
What can you say, he’s the best WR in football (OK, him or Chase). Jefferson allowed Addison to start the game with a few catches but then asserted his dominance over this Bears secondary. His TD came on a play-action move in the red zone, where he beat coverage to the corner. The Vikings have some tougher matchups down the stretch, but Jefferson is a lock-and-load WR1 every week.
Notes
- Great usage, even in a game where the Bears were barely putting up a fight. O’Connell gets his best players the ball.
Jordan Addison: 7 receptions, 63 yards, 9 targets
Came out of the shutes hot in this game, but eventually, the targeting shifted back to Jefferson. This was always going to be a bit of a letdown spot after his 100+ 3 TD game, but Addison continues to play well and get open downfield for Darnold, who has developed a solid connection with his WR2.
Notes
- The fantasy points weren’t huge, but there is no reason to be bearish on Addison after this game. The Bears did little to force the Vikings to throw more downfield.
TJ Hockenson: 5 receptions, 52 yards, 7 targets
Hockeson was limited to shorter yardage routes. His explosiveness may have dipped after his knee injury a bit, but he’s still a great possession receiver and will get targeting as teams try and clamp down on Jefferson and Addison, as the Bears tried to do here.
Notes
- An integral part of the offense, although his upside is limited thanks to working across from two explosive receivers. If Jefferson or Addison miss a game, his upside would improve dramatically.