The 4-9 Chicago Bears visit the 11-2 Vikings in Minnesota for Monday Night Football, as this could be a weird divisional game for week 15. While it could go out of script like the last time they played, this should favor Minnesota at this point and shouldn’t head into overtime. Chicago with interim head coach Thomas Brown fell completely flat in his debut last week against the San Francisco 49ers. The play-caller was overwhelmed and will face a tough task against the Vikings’ formidable defense for a second time. This could mean garbage time, but how efficient that is for fantasy is yet to be seen.
Bears vs. Vikings DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
T.J. Hockenson ($4.8K DraftKings)
Hockenson had his breakout last time he faced off against Chicago back in week 12, as the Bears defense is exploitable to tight ends. However recently, the tight end has been more of an afterthought, as the receivers have seen more production through the air with the Justin Jefferson-Jordan Addison duo. Hock has yet to catch a touchdown, as he has had two big outings yardage-wise since his return from injury. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he nabs his first one of the season in this game.
Jordan Addison ($5.9K DraftKings)
Although Jefferson could pop up with another wide receiver one performance, due to the salary, both Hock and Addison are better plays despite being more boom-bust. Addison has actually been more consistent as of late, as he had a big-time performance last time in Chicago, catching 8 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. This price tag is still too cheap even against a secondary that is better against receivers, as Sam Darnold is willing to air it out at any point to multiple pass-catchers.
Bears vs. Vikings DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Cole Kmet ($3.8K DraftKings)
Kmet hasn’t been the focal point for the Bears offense, as he hasn’t caught a touchdown since October but did catch 7 passes for 64 yards the last time he played Minnesota. The Chicago Bears tight end is fourth in the pecking order in terms of pass catchers with their receiver trio. Although the salary is cheap enough, I think Hockenson ultimately is the better play when comparing the two tight ends.
Rome Odunze ($5.3K DraftKings)
Although Odunze had a 2 touchdown game in garbage time last week, it is still difficult to predict which receiver out of the trio will go off. Both D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen had great games the last time they played against the Vikings, as Odunze wasn’t as featured. I would lean towards the veteran receivers over the rookie, as Caleb Williams may lean on them in the passing game, potentially chasing points against the Vikings. Even with his lower salary, it would only pay off with touchdowns.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Aaron Jones ($6.5K DraftKings)
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a healthy dose of Jones and the Minnesota run game, as he saw 22 carries for 102 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown against the Bears in week 12. Although he has seen fewer carries in the last two weeks, the Bears’ defense is weaker against the run and may not have to keep up in points with the Bear’s offense fading fast. The potential volume for Jones in this game is worth the salary to start, as he could land in the endzone at least once or twice.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
D’Andre Swift ($5.6K DraftKings)
With Williams involved as a runner recently and due to injuries, Swift is not worth starting against Minnesota. The Viking’s run defense is stout and the Bears running back has only been productive in the screen game. On the ground, Chicago has struggled, with teams putting points on them early for them to chase the score through the air then late in garbage time. Last time, he only had 13 carries for 30 yards, and even though Roschon Johnson was ruled out, Swift is more of a floor play in PPR. I would rather play one or both receivers Allen or Moore than Swift at similar price points.
