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Bears' Prospects - Real and Fantasy - Are Bleak

  • Friday, December 18, 2009 5:54 PM
  • Written By: NFL Blog Blitz

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So, you thought the season was over? Sorry, the Bears get to travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in what appears to be a prime letdown game.  Letdown from what you ask? Well, the Packers game, even though it was a loss, was one of the better games the Bears have played this season, sadly.  Traveling to Baltimore during a snowstorm after facing our division rival is going to be tough.

Quarterbacks

Jay Cutler: It's been more than 60 years since Chicago has seen the kind of numbers Jay Cutler has given the team; well, interception numbers.  I'm not going to get into the worth of Jay Cutler to the Bears and if he can turn his Bears career around; I'll just say that as a fantasy player on Sunday he's not going to cut it.  The Ravens have given up big plays, but we can't rely on those and there is no reason to think Cutler won't add to his interceptions. SIT

Joe Flacco: He looked very good early in the season but has come down to earth. And even when he does play well, it usually means he is just handing the ball off to Ray Rice.  The Bears pass defense is better than their rush defense and the Ravens love to run Rice, McGahee and McClain down your throat. SIT

Running Backs

Matt Forte: Baltimore is still a top rushing defense and you know how Forte does against top rushing defenses.  Well, I'll tell you; not good. His pass catching abilities save him once in a while from being a truly terrible fantasy back, but I don't think they will this week. SIT

Ray Rice/Willis McGahee: Ray Rice is having a fantasy MVP type of season. His 1041 yards rushing, 63 receptions, 652 yards receiving, and 8 TDs are what Matt Forte owners were hoping for when they drafted him early in the first round.  The Bears rush defense has been weak and Rice should have no trouble getting his normal 100+ yards and a TD, START.  Willis McGahee got a lot of work in a blowout, but is a risky play if the Bears can keep it close.  In TD heavy leagues he is an option, but mostly he needs to SIT.

Wide Receivers

Johnny Knox/Devin Aromashodu: They both are bright spots for the Bears future, but both are going to be inconsistent and unreliable in your fantasy playoffs. Devin Hester doesn't look likely to go once again so it is tempting to throw Aromashodu in there after getting 12 targets from Cutler, but unless your just playing in the losers bracket and want to start a Bear I would SIT both.

Derrick Mason/Demetrius Williams: Derrick Mason has been a very good and very consistent receiver for fantasy owners this year and is almost always worth a WR No. 3 slot. Like I said, I see the Ravens running a lot, but when Flacco needs a completion he goes to Mason, START him.  Williams will play for Mark Clayton, but shouldn't be worth a pickup. SIT

Tight Ends

Greg Olsen: The Packers corralled him last week and Cutler went heavy to his young receivers. We should see Olsen get more chances this week.  He's not a for sure start, but if your options are slim, go with him. START

Todd Heap: Heap is hurting and hasn't scored a TD since Week 2.  Don't waste your time. SIT

Defenses

Chicago: They have shown flashes, but they are few and far between and fairly dim. SIT

Baltimore: Jay Cutler leads the league in interceptions and will once again need to throw a lot.  It could get ugly. START

-- CHET GRESHAM
Follow him on Twitter @Razzball


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