Fantasy Football: Packers Vs. Bears - Who To Play, Who To Pass
By Stephen Dolan
The rivalry continues on Thanksgiving as the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears. With the Packers slumping and the Bears surging, we're in for a fantastic primetime matchup
Quarterback
Play: Aaron Rodgers (vs. CHI)
Rodgers wasn't his typical sharp self on Sunday in cold conditions in Minnesota as he completed just 47.1 percent of his passes for 212 yards, but saved his rating with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He has now completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes in three consecutive games but has eight touchdowns and only one interception over that span. Rodgers faces a Bears defense that ranks fourth in the NFL allowing just 217 yards per game, but he is still the right play in this game.
Pass: Jay Cutler (vs. GB)
Cutler struggled on Sunday against the Denver Broncos completing just 56.3 percent of his passes for 265 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. That was just one week after one of the best starts of his career against the Rams throwing for 258 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, posting a 151.0 rating. He is facing a Packers defense that is allowing an opposing quarterback rating of 82.0 and only allowing 255 yards through the air. Pass on Cutler.
Running Back
Play: Jeremy Langford (vs. GB)
Langford has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears since starting running back Matt Forte went down with a knee injury. The rookie rushed 13 times for just 25 yards on Sunday, but punched in a touchdown marking the third straight game and four of his last five games with a touchdown. Langford is a weapon in the passing game as he caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown a week ago against St. Louis giving him plenty of fantasy value. Forte could return to the lineup this week but Langford is the featured back until Forte officially returns.
Pass: Eddie Lacy (vs. CHI)
Lacy has been disappointing for the Packers this season rushing for just 408 yards through nine games this season. He posted his first 100-yard game of the season on Sunday against the Vikings as he rushed 22 times for 100 yards. Lacy has just two touchdowns on the season and has only posted three games with more than 46 rushing yards. Until he gets back to his old form, pass on Lacy.
Wide Receiver
Play: Randall Cobb (vs. CHI)
Cobb has taken a backseat to James Jones this season as Rodgers' favorite target, but Cobb is still a strong fantasy option. He only caught two of his nine targets on Sunday for 24 yards but one of the receptions went for a touchdown to salvage his fantasy value. He has recorded touchdowns in two of his last three games and should get some space on Thursday with opposing defenses focusing on Jones opposite of Cobb.
Pass: Alshon Jeffrey (vs. GB)
Jeffrey missed last week's game with a groin injury but has been a participant, albeit limited, in Chicago's practices this week. He is Cutler's top target and has proven to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. In five games this season, Jeffrey has 36 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns with two games of 147 or more receiving yards. However, his health is a question so the Bears might be taking it easy with him on Thursday against the Packers making him a fantasy wild card. Pass on Jeffrey.
Tight End
Play: Richard Rodgers (vs. CHI)
Rodgers is not the type of tight end that will put up huge numbers in terms of yards and receptions. He has not recorded more than six catches or more than 45 yards in any game this season but his catches have been timely as he has five receiving touchdowns on the season and with three in his last three games. Aaron Rodgers tends to spread the ball around in the red zone and Richard Rodgers has benefited from that.
Pass: Martellus Bennett (vs. GB)
Bennett, like Jeffrey, is a weapon in the Chicago offense but he is also banged up. He did not participate in practice on Monday thanks to a rib injury. He caught just two passes for 26 yards against the Broncos. Bennett has been held below 33 receiving yards in four of his last six games with just one touchdown over that span. His fantasy value is suffering and his injury is likely going to limit his effectiveness on Thursday.
Kicker
Play: Robbie Gould (vs. GB)
Pass: Mason Crosby (vs. CHI)
D/ST
Play: Bears
Pass: Packers
Steve Dolan is an MBA student at Villanova University and a graduate of the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University. Steve co-founded Whiz Wit Sports, a Philadelphia-centric sports blog, in March 2011 growing the site to win PHL 17's Best Local Blogger on the Philly Hot List in 2013.