The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2015 NFL season looking like a contender for a playoff spot, while the Chicago Bears came in looking like a team that needed huge help to stay competitive. After the Chiefs won in Week 1 and the Bears lost, those views only intensified. Through four weeks, though, the two teams’ fortunes have converged, with both sitting at 1-3. The loser of Sunday’s game between the two is probably done as far as contention is concerned.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Bears vs. Chiefs
Two 1-3 teams face off Sunday, both needing a win to keep their season alive.
Heading into Sunday, the Bears are expecting to be without wide receiver Alshon Jeffery for the fourth straight week. Quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Eddie Royal both appeared on the weekly injury report with old injuries; Cutler should be fine to play Sunday, though Royal missed practice all week and is more of a question mark. The Chiefs are very healthy, with tight end Travis Kelce the only fantasy-relevant player on the injury report, and he’s expected to be fine despite groin and thumb injuries.
The Chiefs will play host to the Bears Sunday, with game time scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BEARS
Start ‘em: Even as the team has looked awful around him, Matt Forte has averaged 13 fantasy points a game. He’s as good as ever. ... Martellus Bennett made the most of his game against the Raiders. Now that Cutler is back, Bennett is still a TE1. ... Through three games, Robbie Gould is sixth in the league in kicker scoring, and that’s even considering that the Bears were shut out in Week 3.
Start ‘em?: In the two games he’s played beginning-to-end this season, Jay Cutler has averaged 15.5 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have allowed more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any team (numbers colored by games against Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton, but still). Cutler looks like a fine QB2 in a week with a few quarterbacks on bye.
Sit ‘em: With Alshon Jeffery likely out again, Eddie Royal would be interesting, if not for his own injury. And then there’s Marquess Wilson, who has been disappointing all year. Just stick with Forte and Bennett. ... The Bears’ defense had its first good game in Week 4, but the Chiefs should offer a tougher opponent than the Raiders.
CHIEFS
Start ‘em: The only running back in the league with double-digit fantasy points four times in four weeks this season is Jamaal Charles, averaging 17 fantasy points a game. ... Even with a slightly disappointing first two weeks, Jeremy Maclin is one of 14 wide receivers with at least five fantasy points every game this season, and he’s only been improving. ... Week 4 was Travis Kelce’s worst game of the season, but overall he’s still a top-flight tight end. ... Cairo Santos won’t kick seven field goals in a game very often, but he’s done well enough to be a starting kicker.
Start ‘em?: Take out Week 2 against the formidable Denver defense, and Alex Smith is averaging 19 fantasy points a game. He’s been strong against not-the-best defenses, and the Bears, well, they don’t have the best defense.
Sit ‘em: The Chiefs’ defense had 20 fantasy points in the first two weeks, and has negative-11 in the two games since. That’s not a great trend.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett, Robbie Gould, Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, Cairo Santos
Start if you’re desperate: Jay Cutler, Alex Smith
Bench: Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Chicago defense, Kansas City defense
