Start’em or Sit’em in Fantasy Football: Bears vs Vikings |
Ariana Pensy
· · 6 hours ago
CHICAGO - With Chicago’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings right around the corner this coming Monday (7:15 p.m. / ABC), it is time to set fantasy lineups. Whether you are in a standard fantasy football league, a dynasty league, or are trying a guillotine league this year, there are valuable players on the Bears you should be putting in your starting lineup.
Caleb Williams - Start? Admittedly, starting quarterback Caleb Williams is risky, especially since it is the season opener. Minnesota loves to blitz. However, they had trouble getting Williams to the ground last year, as they only sacked him five times over the course of the two games they played against the Bears last season. For a quarterback who was sacked an average of four times a game over the course of the year last season, the Vikings’ lack of sacks is notable. Also, the first time Williams faced the Vikings, he threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception against the Vikings and only threw six picks all of last season. Williams does not have the upside of some quarterbacks. But, if you do not have one of the premier quarterbacks in the league, like Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills or Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens, on your roster, Williams is someone you can start with a lot of upside. Further, he is being rostered in 78 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 76.2 percent of ESPN leagues. So, if he is available in your league or becomes available after this week in a guillotine league, he is someone that you should have on your roster. DJ Moore - Start Last season, Moore had at least two receptions in every game and at least five receptions in 13 of 17 games. The first time Chicago played Minnesota last season, Moore had a season-high in receiving yards with 106, as well as a touchdown. Despite the Bears’ offseason additions, Moore is the No. 1 receiver on the roster. Especially if you get to Monday night and need a player with some consistent production, Moore is someone you need in your starting lineup. This is especially true in points per reception (PPR) leagues, as he consistently receives the ball. Head coach Ben Johnson has also been experimenting with Moore running the ball, showing a clear indication that Johnson wants the ball in Moore’s hands. Rome Odunze - Start in PPR Leagues While Moore is locked in as the No. 1 receiver, Odunze is locked in as the No. 2 receiver. His chemistry with Williams was on display last season as Odunze was targeted 101 times last season. Although he only recorded three touchdowns last season, that number can surely be expected to go up this year, especially with Johnson calling the plays. He is rostered in 91.3 percent of ESPN leagues and projected to have four receptions for 57 yards. In a PPR league, that can lead to decent points, although he has a lot of upside, as Williams could look to target Odunze more in the red zone this year. If you are in a guillotine league, keep an eye out for Odunze in case he is on the team that gets eliminated after this week. If he becomes available, he is definitely a player you want on your roster. D’Andre Swift - Start How many teams can you look at where a running back does not have much competition for reps in the backfield? Chicago only has three running backs on the depth chart - Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Kyle Monangai. Johnson did not participate in practice on Thursday and Friday with a foot injury, while Monangai was limited both days with a hamstring injury. So, even if both of these players can go on Monday, they will not be 100 percent. Conversely, Swift has not appeared on the injury report and is expected to be healthy. The entire running game runs through Swift. He struggled last season, the first time the Vikings played Chicago. However, Johnson wants to get Swift going and has explicitly mentioned Swift as someone who can provide momentum for the Bears’ offense. Just like for Williams, Moore and Odunze, if you are in a guillotine league, see if Swift becomes available because if he does, get him on your roster. Anyone Else From the Bears - Sit Yes, this includes tight end Colston Loveland. Tight ends are always hard to figure out, and with Moore, Odunze, and fellow tight end Cole Kmet sure to get some receptions, as well as receiver Olamide Zacchaeus after his performance in the preseason, it is not worth it to start Loveland or anyone else on Chicago’s roster. Any other player is too risky and lacks a high enough ceiling going into the season opener. Perhaps that will change after the first game as Chicago’s offensive scheme becomes a bit clearer. But, at this point, there is no one else who is worth putting in the starting lineup. With that said, keep an eye out for Loveland in guillotine leagues, as he would not be a bad player to keep on your bench if he ends up having a bigger role later in the season. Additionally, Zaccheaus may not be a bad player to pick up if you have the room on your roster, as he has some upside.
