The Chicago Bears are back to playing smash-mouth football behind the running tandem of Jordan Howard and their surprise rookie rusher Tarik Cohen. The fourth-round pick shocked the league Week 1 with 113 yards and a touchdown. Since that breakout performance, Cohen has rushed 19 times for 91 yards and caught 12 passes for 79 yards through two weeks.
Fantasy football start/sit Week 4: What to do with Tarik Cohen on ‘Thursday Night Football’
Cohen’s fantasy value stays steady while he shares the backfield duties in Chicago.
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Cohen is not challenging Howard as the premier back in the Bears’ offense. The Bears do rely on their 119th-overall pick to be a pass-catcher out of the backfield a lot, however. Their opponents Thursday night, division rivals Green Bay Packers, have played well against catching rushers. The Packers’ defense has only given up 86 passing yards to opposing running backs, but they have also given up two receiving touchdowns.
Fantasy impact: Cohen’s ceiling is lower now that Howard has reasserted himself as the top dog in the Bears’ backfield, however, not by a lot. The Bears’ rushing attack is a two-headed monster and Cohen is the other half of that beast. He is averaging just under 100 total yards per game and his versatility as a runner and catcher make him a dangerous player every week. This week against the Packers he can easily have another 10 plus touches and close to 100 yards.
