Both of the wins this season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have come on the road, while the Chicago Bears just won at home for the first time in 2014. So while the Bears look like a clearly better team than the Buccaneers at a glance, the game's location might mean things aren't quite so clear for Sunday's game.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 12: Buccaneers vs. Bears
Can the Bears win a second game in a row and stay out of last in the NFC North? Can the Bucs win a second game in a row and get more toward respectability?
The Buccaneers are expected to get running back Doug Martin back from injury Sunday. Rookie running back Charles Sims is also on the week's injury report with an ankle injury. He ought to play Sunday, but won't be at full strength. For the Bears, wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall are both on the week's injury report, but both should be fine for Sunday's game.
The Bears play host Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the fantasy names to consider:
BUCCANEERS
Start 'em: His ridiculously hot stretch of production has Mike Evans as a definite fantasy starter. He's on the border of WR1 status.
Start 'em?: With two straight good games since getting the starting role back, and against a generous Chicago pass defense, Josh McCown makes for a very strong QB2, and he could be a starter if things are stressful. ... Evans' rise has limited the looks for Vincent Jackson, making the veteran a low-end flex play.
Sit 'em: Between injury and ineffectiveness, the running-back trio of Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey and Doug Martin is a definite stay-away. ... Austin Seferian-Jenkins just hasn't shown nearly enough to be on the fantasy radar. ... Patrick Murray has had a host of uninspiring fantasy performances. ... Even after a huge game in Week 11, the Buccaneers' defense isn't a fantasy starter; the units' 21 points last week nearly doubled the season total.
BEARS
Start 'em: The Buccaneers don't do much to stop offensive players, which means the top Chicago weapons -- Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall -- should all be in your lineup.
Start 'em?: After a hot start to the season, Martellus Bennett has tailed off in a big way. Considering the roughness of the position, you still might be stuck starting him, but he's not exciting.
Sit 'em: With only 4.8 fantasy points per game, Robbie Gould has just plummeted down the kicker rankings; he hasn't had more than two points in any of his last four games. ... The Bears' defense is not good; even against a dodgy Tampa Bay offense, find someone else.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Mike Evans, Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall
Bench: Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey, Doug Martin, Austin Seferian-Jenkings, Patrick Murray, Tampa Bay defense, Robbie Gould, Chicago defense
