The Rundown: Week 15

Dec 13, 2019

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Anyone who is still going in the playoffs, congratulations. Even if it is just a consolation game, there is still something to play for. This week's slate gives some good options including the Texans and Titans game as well as nice matchups for the Saints and 49ers that should help fantasy teams looking for that elusive championship game. Given the importance of this week, make sure to check your lineups right before kickoff.

As always, the Thursday preview along with stats to know is already available and this will focus on the rest of the slate including start/sit recommendations.

Fantasy Rating Key

(5) - Elite option. Must start.
(4) - Strong option. Likely start.
(3) - Good option. Low-end starter to high-end backup.
(2) - Weak option. Possible flex or desperation play.
(1) - Bad option. Bench in nearly all cases.
(0) - Not an option. Injured, bench, or waivers.

Bears @ Packers

Spread: Packers -4 | Total: 41

Hopefully, there isn’t a repeat of Week 1, which featured just one touchdown and a lot of battling for field position. The Bears have looked better recently with four wins in their last five games with some offensive consistency playing a big role. They need a lot of luck for a playoff spot but have to win to maintain any chance of that happening. The Packers are fighting for the division, but have sputtered offensively for over a month with the passing game not resembling one led by Aaron Rodgers. This will be a hard matchup for him to get back on track.

Chicago Bears

The Bears need their running game to get going here for their offense to work. That’s the Packers vulnerability and some designed runs for Trubisky could help too. The passing game will funnel through Allen Robinson with Anthony Miller the only other real option outside of the running back position right now.

Team Trends That Matter

Rank eighth in offensive pace (24.06 seconds) when trailing by seven or more points.
The Bears punt on 49.7% of their offensive possessions, the highest rate in the NFL.
Dak Prescott in Week 14 became just the second quarterback to throw over 300 yards against the Bears this year.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Mitch Trubisky (2) - The QB4 since Week 10
RB David Montgomery (3) - Seven straight games with 15-plus total touches
RB Tarik Cohen (2) - Five straight games with four or more receptions
WR Allen Robinson (4) - The WR11 since the Bears Week 6 bye
WR Anthony Miller (3) - Four straight games with 11 or more PPR points

Green Bay Packers

The Packers have always been a turnover conscious team, but it seems to hamper their offense with fewer playmakers than usual. Davante Adams and Aaron Jones will get their work here, but everyone else remains a fringe to non-starter, including Rodgers.

Team Trends That Matter

The second slowest offensive pace (29.68 seconds) in the NFL this season.
Only one quarterback has rushed for over 20 yards against the Packers in 2019.
Have turned the ball over on just 6.2% of their offensive possessions, the second-best rate in the league.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Aaron Rodgers (3) - Has not thrown for over 250 passing yards since Week 8
RB Aaron Jones (4) - Has played over 60% of the offensive snaps just three times this year
RB Jamaal Williams (2) - Only one game over 50 rushing yards in his last seven contests
WR Davante Adams (5) - Has scored 19 or more PPR points in three of his last four games against the Bears
TE Jimmy Graham (1) - Failed to reach eight PPR points in every game since Week 7