New York Jets @ Chicago Bears: Fantasy Analysis and Weather Update
Published by Jeremy Alpert on December 26, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Temperature: 32°F
Feels Like: 24°F
Wind: Light, North at 10.0 mph
Chance of Snow: 15 to 20 percent
Week 16 Matchup: New York Jets (10-4) at Chicago Bears (10-4)
Rankings based on top 25 QBs, 40 RBs, 60 WRs and 25 TEs
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Opponent Defensive Ranks
Chicago Pass Defense 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 14th; TDs Allowed T-2nd
Chicago Rush Defense 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 3rd; TDs Allowed T-18th
New York Jets Offensive Cast
Mark Sanchez (QB Week 16 Ranking: No. 23)
2010 Season: 254/470 for 3,022 yards and 16 TDs.
Not only does Sanchez not play well in the cold (as evidenced by his 1-5 TD-to-INT ratio over the last four games), but he’s facing a tough Bears secondary that doesn’t allow much in the passing game, anyway. Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery always give him a shot to do well, but don’t count on it.
LaDainian Tomlinson (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 34)
2010 Season: 206 carries for 886 yards and five TDs; 50 receptions for 354 yards and 0 TDs.
Just stay away from the Jets backfield for the rest of the season. Neither LT21 nor Shonn Greene can get on a roll with the carries being split, and the trend is not likely to change against the third-ranked rush D in the league.
Shonn Greene (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 38)
2010 Season: 173 carries for 696 yards and one TD; 14 receptions for 106 yards and 0 TDs.
The Jets backfield hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 6 this season. Just stay away unless one of them gets hurt.
Santonio Holmes (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 22)
2010 Season: 47 receptions for 660 yards and four TDs.
Holmes has a bit of a turf toe problem going on, but he’ll still be suiting up this Sunday. He’s a far better option in the short passing game than Butterfingers Braylon, so if anyone is going to put up some yardage against the Bears secondary, it’ll be Holmes.
Braylon Edwards (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 46)
2010 Season: 46 receptions for 774 yards and six TDs.
Mark Sanchez’s arm is too weak to heave it downfield to Braylon in this weather, so unless a lucky pass falls into his lap, don’t expect a whole hell of a lot in Chicago on Sunday.
Jerricho Cotchery (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)
2010 Season: 36 receptions for 393 yards and two TDs.
He gets his targets by being the most dependable WR on the team, but he won’t do your fantasy team any favors.
Dustin Keller (TE Week 16 Ranking: No. 22)
2010 Season: 48 receptions for 608 yards and five TDs.
Keller hasn’t caught a touchdown pass or had a single game with more than four catches since Week 4. With the Bears holding opposing tight ends to the fewest TD catches in the league this year, you might want to look elsewhere.
Chicago Bears
Opponent Defensive Ranks
New York Jets Pass Defense 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 9th; TDs Allowed T-16th
New York Jets Rush Defense 2010: Yards Allowed/Game 4th; TDs Allowed T-11th
Chicago Offensive Cast
Jay Cutler (QB Week 16 Ranking: No. 20)
2010 Season: 227/368 for 2,891 yards and 20 TDs.
This game may come down to which field goal kicker performs better in harsh conditions, which doesn’t bode well for fantasy production. Rex Ryan knows how Cutler freaks out when pressured, so I expect a ton of various blitz packages being thrown at him all game long. The Jets cover-corners are good enough to keep a short passing game in check, so temper your expectations of Jay this weekend.
Matt Forte (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 25)
2010 Season: 203 carries for 865 yards and five TDs; 39 receptions for 431 yards and three TDs.
Forte looks as good as he has in his entire career right now, and he’ll be counted on to produce some tough yards this Sunday. He’s had a lot of trouble in the past against crushing rush defenses like the Jets have, but with enough touches, he could put up low-end RB2 fantasy numbers by the end of the game.
Chester Taylor (RB Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)
2010 Season: 105 carries for 252 yards and three TDs; 20 receptions for 139 yards and 0 TDs.
Taylor isn’t worth much in the fantasy world, but he’ll be used for about 10 to 15 touches in this one to give Forte a breather from the Jets D.
Johnny Knox (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 57)
2010 Season: 47 receptions for 868 yards and three TDs.
Knox is still the biggest threat in the Bears offense, even if Bennett is now a bit of a safer play. Is it possible he gets behind Darrelle Revis and company for a long one? Yeah, it’s possible, but hardly worth risking your fantasy Super Bowl on it.
Earl Bennett (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 60)
2010 Season: 45 receptions for 547 yards and three TDs.
Bennett is becoming a nice possession receiver for the Bears, but I don’t expect him to flourish against a defense like the Jets. Sit him in all formats besides possibly as a flex in PPR leagues.
Devin Hester (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)
2010 Season: 36 receptions for 411 yards and three TDs.
He’s still one of the most electric players in the league, as he showed against the Vikings last Monday night. However, Hester will be purely a wide receiver in this one as the Jets have already stated that they won’t kick to him. Can’t say he’s worth much because of it.
Greg Olsen (TE Week 16 Ranking: No. 11)
2010 Season: 35 receptions for 370 yards and five TDs.
The Jets have a soft spot for allowing tight ends to sneak into the end zone, so don’t be surprised if you see the one touchdown in this game end up in his hands.
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