The Chicago Bears were surrounded in speculation facing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. Would Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery suit up? Would Jay Cutler demonstrate the maturity and patience he had shown in the preseason? After all the status updates throughout the week, Marshall and Jeffery finally hit the field, and Cutler recorded a miraculous performance in the fourth quarter.
Known for being a stingy defense, fantasy football players are still wondering how the 49ers let Cutler and company pull off a victory. If you missed the game, don’t worry, I have you covered.
The Offense: Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall was able to see the field despite a questionable status before the game, and he recorded three touchdowns. This three-touchdown performance included a miraculous one handed grab, which was made more impressive by the fact that he was certainly less than 100%. Heading into this matchup, Adam Schefter predicted that Marshall had a 75% chance of not playing. With two receivers signed from the practice squad, the atmosphere surrounding Chicago’s offense was grim to say the least.
For those of you who sat Marshall, you have my condolences, as I sat him myself, and I share in your pain.
When playing the game of fantasy football, it’s all about minimizing risk and giving your team the best possible chance to win. Waiting on a Sunday Night Football decision is never a good feeling, especially going into the night at a disadvantage. Sitting Marshall was the best decision you could have made with the information available, so don’t feel bad! Follow news around him with the eye of a hawk this week, and hopefully Marshall can give you a solid performance in Week 3.
Alshon Jeffery
Jeffery finished Week 2 with three receptions for 47 yards. Jeffery was also a game-time decision, and he was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. While not as mobile, Jeffery still managed to be a legitimate threat for the offense. Going into the game, I considered the young receiver much less likely to play due to the frequency of updates on his status before kickoff, but it did become evident, however, that Jeffery’s hamstring woes did hinder his performance. Even playing a little banged up, he was still close to fantasy relevancy in PPR leagues. Continue to look towards a healthy Jeffery as a viable option for Cutler, especially if Marshall faces any sort of nagging injuries.
Jay Cutler
Cutler finished his night with 176 passing yards, four touchdowns and 25 rushing yards. Cutler looked pretty weak in the first half, but he redeemed himself with an impressive recovery later in the game. I really enjoyed seeing Cutler’s mobility, but let’s be honest: Cutler’s bread and butter will be his passing touchdowns to Marshall. Jeffery, Santonio Holmes and Martellus Bennett are legitimate threats, but Marshall is the go-to-guy for Cutler.
Everyone Else
The Bears’ offensive line wasn’t impressing anyone, and it did not create many opportunities for Matt Forte to find success. Forte is still one of the best dual-threat backs in the league, however, and he will remain a key part of the passing attack.
Bennett recorded seven catches from 10 targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. Bennett, the self described “black unicorn”, had an impressive game, solidifying himself as a reliable target. He has soft hands and is athletic, but I really like the aggression he unleashes on the field. Bennett is not afraid of contact, and he has the size to absorb big hits. This helps to enforce his ability as a major threat in the end zone, and with opportunities like this, I expect Bennett to finish as a top-five tight end this season.
All in all, I expect several players on Chicago to have solid fantasy seasons. From Forte being a PPR monster, to Bennett finishing as a top-five tight end, I am very high on the Bears.
The Bears are on the move, and you heard it from the Draft Day Dame first.
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