Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Bears vs. Packers on Thursday night
Are the Packers really fixed? Can the Bears make a late-season run?
The 2015 NFL Thanksgiving slate winds up Thursday night, with an NFC North matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers took back first place in the division in Week 11, while the Bears need every win possible just to keep faint playoff hopes alive.
The Bears will be without running back Ka'Deem Carey, wide receiver Eddie Royal and tight end Martellus Bennett Thursday. The team is tentatively expected to get running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery back from injury for the game, though fantasy owners should have backup plans in place for both in case they can't make it. The Packers, meanwhile, will once again be without wide receiver Ty Montgomery, but running back Eddie Lacy and wide receiver Davante Adams are both expected to make a go of things.
The two teams play Thursday in Green Bay. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations:
BEARS
Start ‘em: If Matt Forte can make it onto the field Thursday, you're playing him, and Jeremy Langford has done enough that you're using him, Forte or no Forte. If Forte sits, Langford is a No. 1 running back; if Forte plays, Langford is still a flex. ... If Alshon Jeffery plays, he'll see heavy targets and will be a WR1. ... Robbie Gould has been a fantasy monster this year.
Start ‘em?: With so many of his weapons hurt so often, Jay Cutler has been a better real-life quarterback than a fantasy one. Still, he's been really good, and has elite upside. ... Marquess Wilson has only been a fantasy helper when Jeffery has been out, and Jeffery should play Thursday. ... With Martellus Bennett out, Zach Miller should continue his recent hot performances.
Sit ‘em: The Bears’ defense is bad, and the Packers’ offense is really, really good.
PACKERS
Start ‘em: After some struggles, Aaron Rodgers really looks to have gotten things back on track. He's a must-start. ... If you have Randall Cobb, it's been a frustrating season, but you're still running him out there every week.
Start ‘em?: After his best game of the season in Week 11, Eddie Lacy is on the rise. Still, James Starks will have a role. Both are flex plays, with Lacy the preferable of the two. ... Every time it looks like Davante Adams has overtaken James Jones, Jones has a big game. And the same is true the other way. They're both dicey, because who knows which one will produce in a given game. ... Mason Crosby put up 22 in Week 11, but hadn't reached even 10 in a game since Week 2 otherwise. ... The Packers' defense has gotten back on track a bit after an awful stretch, and draws a well-below-full-strength Chicago offense.
Sit ‘em: Either Richard Rodgers scores a touchdown, and he's helpful in fantasy, or he doesn't, and he's not. There's no yardage.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford, Alshon Jeffery, Robbie Gould, Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb
Start if you're desperate: Jay Cutler, Marquess Wilson, Zach Miller, Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Davante Adams, James Jones, Mason Crosby, Green Bay defense
Bench: Chicago defense, Richard Rodgers
