Chicago Bears: 5 fantasy names you should start

The Chicago Bears haven’t traditionally been the go-to team when it comes to fantasy football leagues over the years. Rebuilds can do that.

However, this season feels different. For the first time in ages, it feels like there is legitimate talent on both sides of the ball. Enough to make them attractive among fantasy owners to help decide their weekly head-to-heads. This particular week on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks may result in a big night for several notables.

Plenty of advantages seem to be going in their favor. The Seahawks are reeling from a tough loss at Denver. They’re badly banged up, missing key players on offense and defense. Also, from a pure matchup perspective the Bears are favored on several fronts. It could be a big night for them. Here are the players that fantasy owners must consider starting the most.

#1: Jordan Howard

The Seahawks defense allowed 146 yards on the ground in Denver last week. That was before they lost their two best linebackers to injury in Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. The middle of their defense is so dangerously exposed that they felt a need to sign Mychal Kendricks, who is facing multiple years in prison for insider trading, just to plug the hole. That must be music to the ears of Jordan Howard who is averaging over five yards per carry so far in Matt Nagy’s new offense.

#2: The Defense

Their 2nd half collapse in Green Bay was indicative less of their talent and more of their conditioning and mental mistakes. Khalil Mack was a terror in his first game as a Bear and now is working his way into football shape. Together with Akiem Hicks and Leonard Floyd, they have a chance to swarm Russell Wilson who is essentially the only offense the Seahawks have what with Doug Baldwin being out with a knee injury. Wilson was sacked six times in Denver last week and turned it over four times.

#3: Trey Burton

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The absence of Wagner won’t just benefit Howard. The weakened Seahawks linebacker position can also be exploited by the Bears tight ends, especially Trey Burton. Chicago expressed frustration at not getting him the ball more in the opener. Given its importance to their offense, expect Nagy to feature Burton more prominently in this game. With the Seahawks so focused on Howard, the odds are the middle of the field should be open a lot.

#4: Allen Robinson

He had 61 yards in his first game as a Bear. Not bad considering he just started practicing a few barely over a month ago after missing all of 2017 with a torn ACL. Allen Robinson figures to kick it up another notch against a Seahawks secondary that is already without their best corner in Richard Sherman and also lost starter Tre Flowers to injury. It’s a young and undermanned unit. Robinson could have a host of big play opportunities.

#5: Anthony Miller

The receiver Seattle had the biggest problem with last week was Emmanuel Sanders. His sharp route running and quickness saw him routinely get open all game long. While Anthony Miller isn’t at his level of experience yet, the rookie Bears receiver exhibits many of the same traits. He’s been steadily gaining confidence with each passing week and this could be the perfect setup for him to have a breakout performance.

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