ONE TO START, ONE TO SIT
One to Start, One to Sit is a weekly column where each NFL game will be evaluated and the best/worst fantasy match-ups will be listed.
Tonight’s Matchup: New York Giants @ Chicago Bears
Best Option
NYG- Victor Cruz / Hakeem Nicks/ Reuben Randle
CHI- Jay Cutler
The Bears have been torched by WR’s before (AJ Green- 162 yards, Antonio Brown- 196 yards) so to say Cruz/Nicks/Randle couldn’t do it would be pure nonsense. While this is more-so leaning on Cruz/Nicks, I’m going to include Randle as well on this due to his inconsistency from week to week. He’s gotten at least 4 targets a game, and if the Bears lockdown Cruz or Nicks, expect Randle to be a difference maker in this one. If you’re struggling at WR and need a bye week filler, I’d look at Randle. The Bears do rank in the lower 4th of the NFL (24th vs the pass) and the Giants running game is in shambles, so gun slinging Eli should be a huge factor in this game. It was nice to see Nicks re-emerge last week, and I look to see more of the same vs. the Bears. Like AJ Green, Victor Cruz has the ability to have a monster game here. Look for him to bounce back strong after last week’s underwhelming performance.
It’s plain and simple on Cutler, the Giants can’t defend the run, and they suck against the pass. Most importantly, they can’t get pressure on the QB (have gotten only 5 sacks on the year). Cutler’s been weird this fantasy season, having scored more points when he’s managed to turn the ball over at least once. (Week 2, he had 3 turnovers and got 17 points, Week 5- 1 turnover, 22 points). Against the Giants, the Bears could return to a ground and pound game with Matt Forte, but as strange as this sounds, the Giants while awful on offense, can still put up points and could force Cutler to start slinging the ball. The Giants also let up the third most fantasy points to QB’s in the NFL, this is Cutler’s game to shine and could make for a sneaky fantasy starter this week.
Worst Option
NYG- Da’Rel Scott / Brandon Jacobs
CHI- Martellus Bennett
Need RB help? Look away from this game. With the recent resigning of Scott (the Giants released him just a week ago only to resign him on Tuesday due to David Wilson’s injury), Brandon Jacob’s fantasy value has tanked even further than before (his 2.2 yards per carry doesn’t help his cause either). With Scott possibly being brought back as a 3rd down/Change of Pace back to Jacob’s power/sluggish running style, it seems like both are going to eat at each other’s chances in this game. Jacobs will be the goal line back, but the Giants haven’t had any success at running the football at all this year (they’re averaging 3.3 yards per carry as a team) also, Eli does seem to like checking down to Scott (or did when he played). Throw in the Bears tough run defense (allowing 3.7 yards per carry, tied for 7th in the NFL), and both these guys just seem too much of a risk this week.
Bennett is a hard pick to go against in this one. The only reason he’s here is due to his questionable status and possible game time decision. Even if he does play, rotowire has reported that he may be limited in the game, which gives fantasy owners of his a very small window to perform in. While he does remain a focus point in the Bears passing game (especially in the red zone, tied for team lead with Brandon Marshall with 3 Rec TDs), I would look right up until game time on Bennett to see on his situation, if there’s any signs of him being limited, I would pull him. The matchup is there, but if he’s not going to be out there enough to help your team, you’re better off seeking your fortunes elsewhere at TE this week.
On a side note, I refuse to apologize for my comments on David Wilson last week, the guy had an early Touchdown, and looked great to keep the pace up throughout the game (DID YOU SEE HIS AMAZING BACKFLIP!?!). Injuries happen in games, can’t predict it, can only hope it’s nothing severe.
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