Start’em or Sit’em in Fantasy Football: Bears vs. Broncos |
Playing against the Kansas City Chiefs generally leads to dismal results in fantasy. It mostly did for anyone starting Chicago Bears players last week. But there were some upsides and definitely some positive signs for some fantasy owners moving forward.
Justin Fields - Start If You Dare Personally, I like to play it safe, so I will not be starting Fields. But, if you like to take a risk, then Fields is a player with a lot of upside. Every game this season, he has thrown a passing touchdown. He also is starting to get some rushing productivity, and going against the worst rushing defense in the NFL in the Denver Broncos, one could reasonably expect he will have a solid running game in Week 4. Turnovers are still a major downside, as he has also had at least one interception in every game. In fact, the Chiefs game was the only game this season without multiple turnovers for Fields. Denver only has one interception defensively so far this season, so that is also a factor to consider. If you like to play it safe like I do, Fields is probably someone who should stay on your bench. But if you want to risk it, there is definitely an upside here. DJ Moore - Start A touchdown is a touchdown no matter when it is scored. Moore’s first touchdown as a Chicago Bear may have been in garbage time, but it still helped him have a solid performance in fantasy in Week 3. Still, his targets are increasing from the first week of the season, as he now has 15 total targets and 11 receptions. Last week was more about the matchup in the decision whether to start or sit Moore. This week going against the Broncos, the matchup should not be an issue here. Moore is definitely someone that should be started, especially in any points-per-reception (PPR) leagues. Khalil Herbert - Sit I get that the Broncos are the worst rushing defense. But realistically, they are not going to allow 350 rushing yards again, and Herbert is probably not scoring around 50 points like De’Von Achane did for the Miami Dolphins last week. What is the real problem for Herbert is that he is not the bell-cow that people were expecting for the upcoming season. Instead, he is splitting the backfield with rookie Roschon Johnson. Johnson has 17 rushing attempts over the first three games, while Herbert has 23 rushing attempts. Further, Herbert is not making a lot out of these rushing attempts and is not doing much in the receiving game, either. He should definitely be benched, as with Johnson, until the Bears can figure out who their true No. 1 running back is. Cole Kmet - Start in PPR Leagues Depending on Roster Tight ends are a hard position in fantasy. There are some tight ends that have stood out for fantasy owners, such as Travis Kelce, TJ Hockenson, and rookie Sam LaPorta. Kmet is not in that category. Fantasy owners with these tight ends are lucky, but most people are not that lucky. So, if you are not that lucky, then Kmet is not a bad option. He did not have as many receptions against the Chiefs, but it is the Chiefs. The Broncos are a decent matchup, but Kmet just has not been getting a lot of receiving yards. If you are in a PPR league, particularly full PPR, then starting Kmet is not a bad option because he is getting those receptions from Fields. He is at least consistent in putting up some points. Chicago Bears Defense - Sit No. Don’t do it. It may be tempting, given it is the Broncos, they are 0-3, they have a mediocre offense, and some fantasy leagues have a lot of teams, leading to tough decisions at defense sometimes. But the Bears are a bad defense. This will, in all likelihood, be a high-scoring game. They have one sack this season, two interceptions that both came from a backup quarterback, and are one of two teams that have not recovered a fumble on defense. If you need a defense bad enough to consider this, go with any other defense. Even the Cardinals defense against the 49ers is a better matchup.
