Monday Night Football for week 9 has a classic rivalry touch to it with the Chicago Bears coming to Lambeau to face the Green Bay Packers.  The Bears on the road without their starting quarterback puts this one solidly in favor of the Packers.  Both teams have disappointing defenses, so this will be decided by offense, and I’m sorry but Josh McCown is not out-dueling Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.  The Packers are taking this one, although it might be a better game than we think.  Here are your fantasy football players by position for Monday Night’s game!

QUARTERBACK: Aaron Rodgers requires no explanation.  He is an elite quarterback who is playing at home against a defense that is 27^th in the NFL in yards allowed.  The Bears give up a staggering 391 offensive yards per game, which leads to an average of over 29 points allowed per game.  All the stars are aligned for Rodgers to have a huge night on Monday.

Josh McCown, in for the injured Jay Cutler, has already proven he can make the Bears offense still work.  However, there is no way the 34 year old veteran back up should be considered as a fantasy option for your team.

RUNNING BACK: Matt Forte is a top running back overall, but based on recent history against Green Bay, and the overview of this game, I don’t think he will have a big night.  In 2 games last year against the Packers Forte didn’t achieve much running the ball, averaging 50 yards per game with zero touchdowns.  I anticipate the Packers exposing a flawed Bears defense and controlling possession which handcuffs Chicago from establishing a strong running attack.  You still have to start him because he is Matt Forte, but I don’t expect much this week.

If Green Bay takes a solid lead early, you can expect Eddie Lacy to get a lot of kill the clock carries in the second half of this one.  The Bears defensive line isn’t what it was, and they are giving up 117 rushing yards per game (25^th in the NFL).  Put Lacy in your RB spot with confidence this week.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END: Jay Cutler or not, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery should be in your lineup this week.  They are both legit receivers and even though it’s Josh McCown under center, they should at least hit their projections for the week. Martellus Bennett, although he has quieted down the last few weeks and is a little banged up is still a top 10 tight end, and if he’s on your roster, he’s more than likely your starter.

Jordy Nelson is one of the best in the game so no explanation needed here.  Second wide-out James Jones returned to practice Thursday and will be a game time decision.  I always bank on guys playing on Monday nights if they are already practicing during the week leading up to it.  They usually play on Sundays in those instances, let alone Monday.  Jarrett Boykin was a waiver favorite in recent weeks and it’s justified.  Even with Jones back I like Boykin in a flex spot.  He shouldn’t have much trouble with the Chicago secondary.  As far as tight end goes, with Finley out, there is no viable option from Green Bay here.

DEFENSE: Neither defense should be started in fantasy lineups this week.  Green Bay only has 3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, and are in the middle of the pack in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game and points allowed per game (22+).  The Bears defense is shockingly bad this year.  A team that as a generational reputation of a brutally tough defense is anything but that.  As mentioned earlier they are 27^th in the NFL in yards allowed per game, and 4^th worst in points allowed per game, just under 30.  There’s nothing to see here gang.

BOTTOM LINE: The stand out formula to pick a winner is to go with the better quarterback and the home team.  The Packers obviously take both of these with Aaron Rodgers playing at Lambeau.  You have to start Forte because of his value, but I don’t think he’ll perform well.  On the opposite end I do believe Eddie Lacy will haul in the points for you.  Rodgers will play very well, but don’t underestimate McCown from putting up a fight.  Recent history shows these two teams don’t break scoring records against each other, so don’t expect a 5 touchdown performance by Rodgers, but in the end it’s Green Bay taking the win thanks to the Bears’ defense which is more of the Teddy variety than Grizzly this season.