The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings are completing seasons that are varying degrees of lost. The Bears have completely fallen apart, with losses in four straight and seven of nine. The Vikings are going to finish under .500, but they've made some progress after losing their starting running back early in the season and their second one to injury. Sunday, they face one another.
Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Bears vs. Vikings
Neither team will make the playoffs, though Minnesota at least has some reason for future optimism.
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The Bears will be without kicker Robbie Gould again Sunday. They also are down quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who started Week 16 but suffered a concussion. Wide receiver Marquess Wilson has been limited in practice with a knee issue, but he's expected to be fine for Sunday. The Vikings, meanwhile, might be without tight end Kyle Rudolph Sunday, though they should have running back Matt Asiata, wide receivers Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright and tight end Chase Ford despite all four being on the week's injury report.
The Vikings will host Sunday’s game, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy considerations:
BEARS
Start 'em: Even after being benched for a week, Jay Cutler looks like a top-10 option at quarterback. ... Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett are who they always are -- starters. There isn't much analysis there.
Sit 'em: The Bears are probably happy with what they've seen from Marquess Wilson since Brandon Marshall got hurt, though he's not a strong fantasy option. ... Jay Feely has replaced Robbie Gould without missing much of a beat. Of course, that's because Gould wasn't doing much either. ... The Bears' defense has had five games of zero or fewer fantasy points in its last eight.
VIKINGS
Start ‘em: Despite all odds, Matt Asiata keeps succeeding. At this point, against a poor Chicago defense, he’s a fine RB2.
Start 'em?: The Vikings appear to have something in Teddy Bridgewater, who has performed well in recent weeks. He's still only a QB2, but they should feel good about his future prospects. ... Most analysts rank Charles Johnson as Minnesota's top receiver, though if I'm using one of the group this week, I'd choose Greg Jennings. ... The Vikings' defense has had its moments this year, and if you think Cutler and the Bears have checked out for the season, there could be potential there.
Sit 'em: After Johnson and Jennings, Jarius Wright has performed well, though it's hard to count on him for fantasy. ... Even if Kyle Rudolph plays, he's too unproductive to be a fantasy option, and Chase Ford and/or Rhett Ellison don't offer much either. ... Blair Walsh hasn't had a strong second half to the season.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Matt Asiata
Start if you're desperate: Teddy Bridgewater, Charles Johnson, Greg Jennings, Minnesota defense
Bench: Marquess Wilson, Jay Feely, Chicago defense, Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Chase Ford, Rhett Ellison, Blair Walsh
