The San Diego Chargers are 2-6. The Chicago Bears are 2-5. Both teams lost crucial players to injury last week, and both teams have miserable defenses. They face off Monday night, in a game everyone will be watching. Sorry, America.
Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Bears vs. Chargers on Monday night
These two high-profile teams have had some really awful seasons.
The Bears will be without running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Eddie Royal for this game after both were injured. As for San Diego, running back Branden Oliver and wide receiver Keenan Allen both hit injured reserve after Week 8. Tight end Ladarius Green will likely miss Monday’s game as well, though starting tight end Antonio Gates is probable.
The Chargers host the Bears Monday, with game time scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BEARS
Start ‘em: You love quarterbacks against San Diego, and considering the injuries to Chicago, Jay Cutler is probably going to have to pass a lot. Start him everywhere. ... Alshon Jeffery has been a monster when healthy, and he appears to be healthy now. ... It’s not been a great stretch for Martellus Bennett, but he’s always a tight end with upside. ... Robbie Gould has been a fantasy monster almost all year.
Start ‘em?: Filling in for Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford will get the lion’s share of touches and has a favorable opponent, but I want to see what he can do before I buy all in.
Sit ‘em: Even with Forte and Eddie Royal out, Marquess Wilson is too far down the list of targets to be anything more than a true desperation play. ... The Bears’ defense is terrible, and the San Diego offense is good.
CHARGERS
Start ‘em: Only Tom Brady has been a better fantasy quarterback of late than Philip Rivers. ... Danny Woodhead has been good far more often than he’s been bad. ... Stevie Johnson stands to be the biggest beneficiary of Keenan Allen’s injury. ... You’re using Antonio Gates everywhere. ... Josh Lambo continues to be underrated in fantasy.
Start ‘em?: There will be more targets for Malcom Floyd without Allen, though he’s more of a flex option.
Sit ‘em: With Branden Oliver done for the year, Melvin Gordon will get another shot, but I want to see it before I put him in lineups again. ... Dontrelle Inman is lurking on the fantasy periphery, but that’s all for now. ... The Chargers’ defense hasn’t put up more than five fantasy points in a game all season, and has totaled negative-2 in its last three weeks.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, Robbie Gould, Philip Rivers, Danny Woodhead, Stevie Johnson, Antonio Gates, Josh Lambo
Start if you’re desperate: Jeremy Langford, Malcom Floyd
Bench: Marquess Wilson, Chicago defense, Melvin Gordon, Dontrelle Inman, San Diego defense
