The Chicago Bears’ Week 1 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers was really weird from a fantasy perspective. While quarterback Caleb Williams and running back D’Andre Swift had monster fantasy performances, wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III were mediocre while tight end Colston Loveland had nothing.
Meanwhile, receiver Kalif Raymond had a good day in full PPR leagues with eight receptions for 84 yards. Swift and backup running back Kyle Monangai, who also had a touchdown in the opener, are both on the injury report, creating even more fantasy questions this week.
So, here are the Bears players you should start and sit in fantasy this week.
Start: QB Caleb Williams
Last week, I said to bench Caleb Williams. He immediately made me regret that with his four-touchdown
performance. One can look at stats of how well he has done historically against Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. However, the most important thing to look at is how confident he looked against the Panthers in the opener. Williams looked like an unstoppable MVP-caliber quarterback who was going to put up points and get in the end zone no matter what Carolina did. This offense is unlike any other the Bears have had and it leads to a lot of fantasy points for Williams. After Week 1, he is a must start until further notice.
Sit: WR Rome Odunze
I am honestly confused about which Chicago skill players to start and sit after Week 1. However, I lean toward benching Rome Odunze because of the fact that he had only three targets in the season opener. Pretty much all of his production came on one reception and that is concerning as a fantasy owner. If you have a more reliable option at receiver, perhaps keep Odunze on the bench.
Start: RB D’Andre Swift
How can you bench D’Andre Swift after he just scored three touchdowns? Even though he has popped up on the injury report with an ankle and knee, the season opener made clear Chicago is going to rely on their run game and Swift is going to be the top running back. He was also limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, which is more promising than if he did not practice at all. Unless Swift is ruled out, he stays in the lineup.
Sit: WR Kalif Raymond
Given what he did last week with eight receptions for 84 yards on nine targets, it is understandable why you would think about starting Kalif Raymond. If you are in a really deep league, this may turn out to be a decent move. However, with all of the other talent Chicago has on the roster, it is hard to believe that Raymond will put up 80 or more yards every game. This probably was a fluke and he should stay on the bench.
Start: TE Colston Loveland
If you are a Colston Loveland fantasy owner like myself, you are probably pretty frustrated he did not have a single reception despite the Bears putting up 59 points. However, Week 1 games are weird. This is no indicator of how the rest of the fantasy season is going to go for Loveland. Besides, Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft had a decent day against the Vikings in their opener, so Loveland should be able to find some success and be more involved with the offense this week.
Sit: RB Kyle Monangai
Kyle Monangai is not going to break out a 61-yard rushing touchdown every game. Without that touchdown, his fantasy production against the Panthers is actually pretty low with only 39 rushing yards and two receptions for 24 yards. Swift is the top running back on this team and that is always going to hurt Monangai’s fantasy production. Assuming Monangai plays since he is also on the injury report, keep him on the bench.
Note: If Swift is ruled out and Monangai is going to play, Monangai becomes a start because he would become Chicago’s starting running back and has a proven ability to lead the backfield when necessary.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Fantasy football starts and sits for Chicago Bears players in Week 2
