Bears Blitz

Published by Scott Polacek on October 9, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears dropped to 1-4 on Sunday with a 29-23 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but fantasy owners were likely more concerned with the solid offensive production from some of their playmakers.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer thrived against the Indianapolis defense with nearly 400 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jordan Howard was a two-way threat, and wide receiver Cameron Meredith was the only Chicago pass-catcher to surpass the century mark in yardage.

Here is a look at their final numbers and a breakdown for each.

Brian Hoyer

Hoyer’s long-term fantasy viability is directly tied into the availability of Jay Cutler, who is dealing with a thumb injury.

“Anybody’s that performing well, I don’t think we’re going to be likely to change,” head coach John Fox said when discussing the quarterback position Oct. 3, per Chris Emma of 670 The Score in Chicago.

On Sunday, Hoyer performed well for the third straight game. He has tallied more than 300 passing yards and two touchdown throws without an interception in each of Chicago’s last three contests and should keep his job if Fox’s quote proves to be accurate.

The 1-4 Bears will likely find themselves playing from behind often this year, which will force Hoyer to turn to the air. As long as Cutler isn’t given the job when he returns, Hoyer is worth starting after posting consistent numbers in three straight games.

Jordan Howard

Jeremy Langford is out after suffering an ankle injury, and Howard has seized the starting role during his absence.

The rookie topped 100 yards on the ground for the second straight week and proved his worth in the passing attack with a receiving touchdown. It was his third consecutive contest with at least three catches, so his receiving prowess was not an anomaly.

Howard may not be a proven commodity, but his ability to contribute as a rusher and receiver while Langford heals makes Howard a must-start at this point.

Cameron Meredith

Alshon Jeffery drew the attention in fantasy drafts, but Meredith doubled his targets Sunday as Hoyer’s go-to option.

It wasn’t all good news for Meredith, as he lost a disastrous fumble late in the fourth quarter when the Bears were attempting to take the lead in the back-and-forth affair. Still, he made up for the miscue in fantasy circles by finding the end zone.

Meredith came out of nowhere Sunday, considering he had just 120 receiving yards last year and 52 receiving yards entering Week 5 this year. To his credit, he took advantage of the injured Kevin White’s absence.

White, who is on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury, will be out for the foreseeable future, which makes Meredith a high-upside flex play as opposing defenses focus the majority of their attention on stopping Jeffery. Hoyer appears to trust Meredith, which probably won’t change after Sunday’s outing.

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