Fantasy Football: Starts and sits for Thursday Night Football

This week the Chicago Bears will head to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Which players will shine for fantasy football owners?

Week Four of the NFL regular season boasts some exciting matchups but it all begins at Lambeau Field as the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears.

Rivalry games are difficult to predict as both teams are currently tied at 94 wins apiece with 6 ties. From a fantasy perspective, the Packers have to be the favorite going into this contest.

The Bears do not have enough firepower in the passing game to make any of their receivers legitimate fantasy starts however they do have two running backs who have been pretty effective.

Chicago Bears:

(Running Backs)

Jordan Howard: The Packers have given up the 10th most points to running backs so far during this fantasy football season. Howard is coming off of his best game of the season so far as he racked up 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

His huge totals are contrary to most of the reports that had come out before the beginning of Week Three. Cohen was supposed to take over however he has other responsibilities.

Howard remains the best in between the tackles back for the Bears and should get most of the goal line touches. He should get a ton of work in what should be a competitive matchup from start to finish.

Tarik Cohen: Ok so let’s face it, Cohen does not have the role most fantasy owners had hoped. His value comes from him being the most productive receiver in the Bears offense.

While terrific for PPR/HalfPPR leagues Cohen does not get into the end zone which is ultimately the baseline value for running backs. Howard has dealt with injuries but they have not kept him off the field long enough for Cohen to take over.

This week he should make for a solid flex play and a risky RB2 start. 

 START OR SIT?: Fantasy Pros Start or Sit Assistant Tool

Green Bay Packers:

(Quarterback)

Aaron Rodgers: I mean you’re not going to sit Aaron Rodgers, this matchup is not scary, and e has thrown for over 300 yards in 3 straight games. On an interesting note, he has thrown an interception in every game this season.

The Bears defense is real and could put Rodgers in some tough positions but they do not seem better than the Seattle Seahawks or the Atlanta Falcons so Rodgers should be ready to roll.

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(Wide Receiver)

Jordy Nelson/Randall Cobb/Davante Adams/Geronimo Allison: All of these players are in a tough position as they face a defense that has only allowed 7 catches for 89.7 yards against Mike Evans, Julio Jones, and Antonio Brown. That is how efficient the Bears secondary is against the top wide receivers in fantasy football.

The Bears best cornerbacks should be able to give Nelson and Adams fits. Cobb is an unknown commodity at this time as he is uncertain to play. Even if he suits up owners should bench him until he proves he is back on the field regularly.

Cobb not suiting up would mean big things for Adams who would see an uptick in targets. Allison showed last week that with Cobb out he also is an effective weapon and can be trusted with the football.

Allison has not gotten into the end zone yet so I would temper expectations for all of these wide receivers.

(Running Backs):

Ty Montgomery: This is the Montgomery show as he dominates the backfield touches every single week. He is one of the more coveted running backs in fantasy football this season, however, he has been a bit banged up in recent weeks.He also is a threat in the passing game which has really upped his value in PPR/Half PPR leagues.

Next: Staff predictions for the Cowboys Cardinals Week Three contest

This will be a tough matchup however as the Bears have given up the 12th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season and that includes matchups with Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell. Montgomery should have some production as this game does not figure to be a shootout. He is an RB2 this week especially in leagues that give you points per reception.