Monday December 15, 2014
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears

This week we will answer the question on everybody’s mind. Who is worse, the Bears or the Saints on the road? Right now with a disgruntled QB, injured WR and sobbing offensive coordinator, the Bears don’t look all that much better than anybody. Brandon Marshall’s season is over, and it looks like the Bears’ season is as well. It is unlikely any of the coaches will be back, and they’re limping to the finish line. If anybody can find a way to lose a winnable game on the road it’s the Saints. Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense is visibly declining. Unfortunately somebody from the horrific NFC South has to make the playoffs and it may be New Orleans. Regardless of how disappointing these two teams are, there may still be a ton of fantasy points scored against these horrendous defenses. Should be a climactic end to many playoff matchups.

New Orleans Saints: Key Players
QB Drew Brees
Brees has still been a great QB this season relative to the rest of the league but not compared to his own lofty standards. He has been up and down and really struggled at times, more than we’ve seen in the past. Nonetheless, the matchup is too great this week to worry about all that. He is a no doubt top five play this week, even after that flop at home against the Panthers last week.
Verdict: Start Brees. He is still a must start almost every week unless you have a great second option.

RB Mark Ingram
The Bears defense has been awful against pretty much everybody so Ingram should be no exception. The only thing that could slow him down is the crowded Saints’ backfield. Khiry Robinson, Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet are all attempting to find their role. Ingram is still the lead back but could see his touches reduced as all their backs continue to get healthy.
Verdict: Start Ingram. He’s been great this season, and if he’s taken you this far, it’s hard to bench him against the Bears.

WR Kenny Stills
Since the loss of Brandin Cooks, Stills predictably has been the Saints’ best option at WR. The Bears are a great matchup allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs. While Saints’ WRs are often hard to trust, Stills is the man to roll with.
Verdict: Start Stills. He is the best option against a great matchup.

WR Marques Colston
Colston is not what he used to be, but he still has his moments. With that being said he is just too big of a risk to plug in during a playoff game. He’s been getting harder to trust by the year and he certainly should not be relied on to advance you to your championship.
Verdict: Sit Colston. He’s not so awful but way too risky for this time of year. He should only be used in desperation.

TE Jimmy Graham
Fantasy world wide panic has ensued. After two terrible weeks every Graham owner and their cousin is in an uproar. It’s time to calm down. Graham will be fine and is in store for a big bounce back game on Monday night. He is still an elite TE.
Verdict: Start Graham. However, this is a rare occasion that he is not the best TE play in the game.

Chicago Bears: Key Players
QB Jay Cutler
Cutler is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a nightmare. For everyone that was all about Cutler being your QB1 all season, how did you not see this coming? This is what he does and has been doing for a decade. He certainly has his moments but many of them are dreadful.
Verdict: Start Cutler. He’s a very risky play and he doesn’t have Marshall, but that matchup is pretty great. Look what Cam Newton did to the Saints last week in the Super Dome. This of course does not assure that Cutler won’t throw four INTs.

RB Matt Forte
Forte is an elite RB1 and should dominate the Saints defense. He’s been the only consistently good player in Chicago this season. With the Saints allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, Forte should have a monster game.
Verdict: Start Forte. If you need to be told to start him, maybe fantasy football isn’t for you.

WR Alshon Jeffery
With Marshall gone Jeffery is the undisputed top WR in Chicago. He should see a ton of targets and has the talent to do plenty with them. The Saints are allowing the tenth-most fantasy points to WRs. Look for Jeffery to have a monster game.
Verdict: Start Jeffery. You have to love him without Marshall taking targets away.

WR Marquess Wilson
Wilson has been thrust in to the starting lineup with Marshall on IR. He is, of course, very risky to just plug in to your lineup during the playoffs. However, he has big time sleeper upside. Especially with his deep threat ability.
Verdict: Sit Wilson. Unless of course you’re a gambling man.

TE Martellus Bennett
Bennett may benefit from Marshall’s absence more than any other player. He has played great the past two weeks, particularly after Marshall went down last week. He is now their best red zone and third down option. He is expected to see a boatload of targets. If the past two weeks are any indication, he may be the top TE this week.
Verdict: Start Bennett. I would start him over Jimmy Graham right now. He should be ranked No. 2 after Gronk.

Predictions

Final Score
New Orleans: 38
Chicago: 28

Best Play
Saints: Drew Brees
Bears: Martellus Bennett

Sleeper
Marquess Wilson