The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers meet Saturday night in a massive Week 16 matchup. It’s an important game for the NFL playoffs and also for the NFC North.
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But within this matchup, Fantasy coaches have to make some tough decisions. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are out for the Bears, leaving Chicago’s pass catchers a tough group to crack heading into Week 16.
With ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting that D’Andre Swift is playing, the Bears’ running back room is also difficult to figure out. For this Saturday night matchup, fantasy managers should seriously consider starting both.
Which Bears RB will start against the Packers in Week 16 in Fantasy?
Kyle Monangi and Swift are the Bears’ only featured running backs, and heading into this Week 16 matchup against the Packers on Saturday night, it’s an interesting situation for fantasy managers.
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On paper, starting one of these running backs in a split backfield, whether it’s Monangai as RB2 or Swift coming off a week labeled as questionable, comes with some risk. But with the Bears’ injuries on offense, the running backs will be given more work.
Chicago is not the only team suffering from injuries. Although for the Packers, most of their significant absences will be on defense. Micah Parsons and Evan Williams are out of this matchup in Chicago.
For Fantasy managers, those two injuries are something to keep in mind. Williams is a great run defender and Parsons is an all-around disruptor. Without either of them on the field in Week 16, the Packers’ defense will be much worse than usual.
Further: Bears’ Ben Johnson reveals about Rome Odunze upgrade
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The Packers defense is the 10th best in fantasy against running backs in Full PPR leagues this season. But despite that, fantasy managers can start either Swift or Monangai.
Monangai has been getting consistent usage lately and is capable of scoring touchdowns and occasional receptions. Swift is averaging 14.8 points per week and is coming off one of his best games of the year against the Cleveland Browns.
Against a weakened defense, both Swift and Monangai are valuable starts this week for fantasy managers. If fantasy managers need a running back this week or a flex option, Monangai and Swift could be in lineups this week.
But, if you include both, even with the questionable designation all week, Swift is the best play in Week 16 against the Packers. This matchup in Chicago should favor the Bears, giving both running backs interesting starts in Week 16 of the fantasy football playoffs.
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