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The Chicago Bears will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Mitchell Trubisky is still trying to prove he can be a franchise quarterback, and the Jags are already looking forward to drafting one.
The Bears (7-7) triumphed over Minnesota in Week 15 for one reason: David Montgomery. The second-year back was Plan A, B and C for this offense as he handled 32 carries, 33 touches overall. He racked up 162 total yards and two touchdowns. With Montgomery mauling the Vikings, Trubisky threw just 21 passes. He put up 202 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. His TD went to Darnell Mooney, who tied Allen Robinson with a team-high five targets. Both men caught four passes. Robinson ended with 83 yards. He has exceeded 70 yards in four consecutive weeks.
The Jaguars (1-13) were generally pathetic against the Ravens, but at least their 40-14 loss helped put them in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Gardner Minshew was efficient, completing 22 of 29 passes for 226 yards and two TDs, but he also took five sacks and lost a fumble. Minshew spread the ball around, sending at least three targets to five different pass-catchers. DJ Chark led the corps with 53 receiving yards. Rookie Lavishka Shenault Jr. recorded a team-high five catches. James Robinson couldn’t get much done on the ground (16 carries, 35 yards), but saved his fantasy day with a highlight touchdown grab in the third quarter. However, he injured his left ankle late in the game, which means the Jags’ offense could be even worse in Week 16.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Dec. 27
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Bears: #15 Overall — #26 offense, #7 defense, #10 special teams
Jaguars: #31 Overall — #31 offense, #18 defense, #29 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Bears: -7.5, -335
Jaguars: +7.5, +285
Total: 47
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Bears
David Montgomery, RB, $7,700
Besides the Bears, Montgomery is also putting so many fantasy teams on his back right now. Maybe he won’t get 32 carries against the Jags ... but why not? Jacksonville probably won’t challenge Chicago’s defense, especially if James Robinson is out, so the Bears could just let Monty roll. The Jaguars have allowed the third-most DraftKings points to RBs this season and have given up huge stat lines to the likes of Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook and Derrick Henry in recent weeks. Even at this season-high price, Montgomery is an easy cash-game start.
Allen Robinson, WR, $7,700
Again, the Bears probably won’t have to pass often in this one, but the Jaguars have allowed at least one wideout to top 100 yards in nine of their last 10 games. Marquise Brown came two yards shy of keeping that streak going in Week 15. The Jags have also permitted 11 touchdowns to WRs in their last seven games, so 100 yards and a TD feels like Robinson’s floor in Week 16. Just make sure he’s active on Sunday. He didn’t practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury and was then listed as limited on Friday. The Bears are in a must-win situation, so as long as Robinson suits up and all reports are that he will play his normal role, ride with him.
Jaguars
Dare Ogunbowale, RB, $4,000
James Robinson is questionable to play because of his ankle injury. If he’s inactive, there just isn’t anyone else to care about in this offense. Ogunbowale got some run late in Week 15, picking up 25 yards on three touches. He could be Jacksonville’s No. 1 back this week, but he should also lose snaps and opportunities to Devine Ozigbo. This is a situation to avoid in all formats.
DJ Chark, WR, $4,800
Chark is Jacksonville’s best big-play threat, so he could pay off this price with just a couple of long receptions. But with Minshew’s below-average arm strength and against a Bears defense that ranks seventh versus wideouts, Chark is a prayer fantasy play.