Fantasy Football: Potential bargains, must-plays from Giants-Bears game
The New York Giants (2-1) play host to the Chicago Bears (2-1) at MetLife Stadium this Sunday afternoon. It’s matchup between two struggling offenses that promises to be a real slog-fest as the weather is expected to be wet and windy.
Still, fantasy players will have an interest in the game, albeit on a lesser scale.
Here is a quick rundown of the fantasy options this Sunday.
Giants offense
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Daniel Jones has 44.8 fantasy points so far this season, good enough for 19th among quarterbacks, wedged in-between Jacoby Brissett and Geno Smith. He is a punt play at best in both season-long and DFS as the Bears are allowing just 12 FPPG to QBs this season.
Running back Saquon Barkley is a better bet as the Bears have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to RBs this season. Barkley is not any ordinary back, however. His 54.8 fantasy points ranks second among running backs so far this season behind only Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (60.9). He is always a must-play.
The Giants’ receiving options aren’t very attractive, especially now with their leading receiver, Sterling Shepard, is out for the year with a torn ACL. If you have to play one of these guys, it speaks volumes about you as a fantasy owner.
Bears offense
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Fields is perhaps the worst quarterback in the league at the moment. His 297 passing yards are the lowest in the NFL for a starting QB after three games since Atlanta’s Steve Bartkowski tossed for 304 yards in 1975. Fields has rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown but that doesn’t warrant playing him in any format. The Giants have been solid against QBs this season (15.0 FFPG).
The Bears’ running game is where the rubber hits the road on offense. They have a very productive tandem in David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.
The Bears are second in the NFL in rushing with a 186.7 yards per game. The Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this year, so this is a solid play. Montgomery left last week’s game with knee and ankle issues, so he may be held out this week. That means Herbert is a must-play.
The Bears star receiver coming into this season was supposed to be Darnell Mooney but he’s only been targeted 11 times this season with four receptions for 27 yards. Equanimeous St. Brown has 77 yards on four grabs and a touchdown. Tight end Cole Kmet has been targeted just five times in the first three games. Stay away.
Giants defense/special teams
AP Photo/John Munson
The Giants are 16th in the NFL in total defense: 25th against the rush and 10th against the pass. They are allowing 19.7 points per game. They are the 26th-ranked fantasy defense with just three sacks and no interceptions.
The Giants have not scored a touchdown or safety on defense and have not scored on special teams this season.
Kicker Graham Gano is second in the NFL with 33 points.
Bears defense/special teams
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears are 20th in total defense: 30th against the rush and ninth against the pass. They are allowing 19.0 points per game. They are the 18th-ranked defense with six sacks and three interceptions.
They also have scored no defensive points nor have any on special teams.
Kicker Cairo Santos is 18th in the NFL with 20th points scored.
[pickup_prop id=”28145″>
