Thursday December 4, 2014
Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears

This one may get interesting. These two QBs will likely battle and find new creative ways to lose games. The Cowboys look like they may be on an epic quest for an 8-and-8 season and as we know December is upon us. The Bears would love to be on a quest for 8-and-8 at this point. Jay Cutler has been extremely disappointing this season and he has run out of excuses at this point. In fairness to Dallas, their defense has overachieved and been bit by the injury bug in a major way. Hopefully for the Cowboys’ sake they can get past their late season short-comings and at least compete for a playoff spot. Only time will tell, but Thursday night will be a very good indicator of things to come.

Dallas Cowboys: Key Players
QB Tony Romo
As great as the matchup is against the team giving up more fantasy points to QBs than any team in the league, starting Romo in December has been a bad idea for a long time. Still, it seems illogical to make decisions based on things that lack logical reasoning. Nonetheless, even if it’s a mental block, there is something to it.
Verdict: Start Romo. The matchup is just too good to pass up. It still has to make you nervous though. Mostly because the matchup he had last week was too good to pass up as well. And that was on Thanksgiving, a day he’s historically great.

RB DeMarco Murray
Murray has been nothing short of tremendous this season. Through 12 games he already has 1.427 rushing yards and 343 receiving yards (44 receptions). He has also scored eight TDs. His only downfall is his five lost fumbles. While crucial in real life, they are a small price to pay in fantasy when compared to his production.
Verdict: Start Murray. He is an obvious must start every week no matter who he’s facing.

WR Dez Bryant
Bryant is right up there among the elite WR1s. The only knock on him is he tends to disappear for long stretches at a time. A long time in the matter of a game, not season. With that being said, there are very few WRs in the league that you’d rather have on your fantasy team regardless of the matchup. So you are certainly looking forward to him going up against the Bears’ woeful pass defense.
Verdict: Start Bryant. Great player. Great matchup. Great start.

WR Terrance Williams
Williams started off the season red-hot scoring six TDs in his first seven games. The problem was he didn’t have much value outside of the TDs, he only had 19 receptions during that span. He hasn’t caught a TD since and has been pretty much useless.
Verdict: Sit Williams. He is a boom-or-bust guy that hasn’t boomed in a long time.

TE Jason Witten
Witten, after a very slow start to the season, had actually been playing very well, then Thanksgiving happened and he caught one pass for 8 yards. Witten isn’t a terrible option but far from what he once was.
Verdict: Sit Witten. This one can really go either way. He’s not an awful start but not that great either.

Chicago Bears: Key Players
QB Jay Cutler
The Cowboys’ defense has been progressively declining. They have allowed the seventh most fantasy points-per-game to opposing QBs since they began to slide in Week 7. The matchup is looking very good. Still, Cutler cannot be trusted. He is an interception prone underachiever. While he has a high ceiling, he has an even lower floor.
Verdict: Sit Cutler. I’m done with this guy. He has no more excuses left, he has everything he needs to succeed. I understand some people cannot sit him, but seriously explore other options moving forward.

RB Matt Forte
Forte has been the one consistent guy on this team with the exception of the consistently bad defense. He’s an elite RB1 and should always be in your lineup. The Cowboys’ run defense took a major hit when they lost Justin Durant. Look for Forte to dominate on the ground and in the passing game.
Verdict: Start Forte. If you need to be told that odds are you didn’t make your playoffs.

WR Alshon Jeffery
Jeffery is the Bears most versatile pass-catcher. He is beginning to surpass Marshall as the WR1. However, on any given week either guy can be the top performer. Nonetheless, if you have Jeffery you have to start him and you should do so with confidence. He’s a low-end WR1.
Verdict: Start Jeffery. The matchup is decent but he is your best option.

WR Brandon Marshall
Marshall is one of the most frustrating players this fantasy season. He has the big name and big talent. He has the occasional monster game and complete no shows. He has also struggled with injury that has unpredictable results. Three TDs or less than three fantasy points. It’s really hard to tell if he’s declining or his QB and coach are failing him. He is so hard to bench but so hard to trust as well.
Verdict: Start Marshall. Plug him in and cross your fingers. He’s too talented to bench in the playoffs unless you have a really strong WR corps.

TE Martellus Bennett
Bennett had his first big game in since Week 8 on Thanksgiving. He still hasn’t found the end zone since that Week 8 game against the Patriots. He has way too much upside to bench at this point. A TD would be a very welcomed site though. The matchup is great as well. The Cowboys have allowed the more fantasy points to opposing TEs than any team in the league.
Verdict: Start Bennett. He’s up and down but there aren’t too many better options. Especially with this matchup.

Predictions

Final Score
Dallas: 27
Chicago: 28

Best Play
Cowboys: Dez Bryant
Bears: Matt Forte

Sleeper
Marquess Wilson