On paper, this isn’t exactly the most exciting Thursday Night Football game with neither the Commanders nor the Bears likely to be hoisting a trophy at the end of the year, but it’s still football, and there’s enough talent on both sides to call this a game worth watching. They’re all worth watching.
Game
Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
Betting odds (DraftKings)
- Line: Commanders -6
- Moneyline:Commanders -265, Bears +215
- Over/Under: 44.5
Team ranks
Commanders
- Points per game: 22.3 (17th)
- Points allowed per game: 30 (29th)
Bears
- Points per game: 18.8 (22nd)
- Points allowed per game: 34.3 (31st)
Key Fantasy Injuries
Bears
WR Chase Claypool (Other): OUT
Claypool will not be on the field again, as the Bears have effectively ended their partnership with the talented -- but extremely volatile – wideout (Note: Chicago gave up a high second-round pick to procure Claypool’s services last year for reasons that made little sense at the time and even less now). Outside of that, the Chicago offense is healthy.
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The defense can’t say the same. Defensive backs Eddie Jackson (foot) and Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) have been ruled out, and DB Jaquan Brisker (hamstring) is questionable. This is not a very good defense even with those names.
Commanders
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Illness): QUESTIONABLE
Rodriguez missed Sunday’s overtime loss to the Eagles because of illness, but he was able to get practices in and has a good chance to play.. He won’t carry much fantasy relevance, however, playing behind both Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson.
Jahan Dotson was limited by an ankle injury during Monday and Tuesday’s practices, but he carries no injury designation coming into Thursday and should be a full-go against the beat up -- and not very good, anyway -- Chicago secondary.
Big Names/Big Prices (DraftKings)
- Justin Fields, QB: $16,500
- Terry McLaurin, WR: $15,300
- DJ Moore, WR: $15,000
- Sam Howell, QB: $14,100
- Brian Robinson Jr, RB: $13,800
- Kahlil Herbert, RB: $12,900
- Jahan Dotson, WR: $9,600
- Cole Kmet, TE: $9,600
Fields struggled as a passer in the first three games of the season but did have a strong day against the Broncos in a losing cause Sunday, completing 28 of 35 passes (80 percent) with four touchdowns and 335 yards.
More on the NFL:
- Cody's Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE-K-DEF.
- Couple of Zachs and You're Good to Go (sportstopia.io)
- A Frugal Play, Brian Robinson (sportstopia.io)
- The Pats are Bad -- That's Good for Us (sportstopia.io)
- The Bears Will Win ... Just Not Tonight (sportstopia.io)
- Studs & Duds: Not Quitting on Burrow ... Yet (sportstopia.io)
The Washington secondary has given up 920 passing yards and six touchdowns, which ranks 20th and 21st, respectively. The biggest concern is the Commanders can get to the quarterback and the Bears haven’t been able to protect Fields. But that could lead to scrambling opportunities and a decent rushing day.
Howell has been sacked 24 times -- 14 in the last two weeks. He did bounce back from his four-pick game against the Bills with a solid effort against the undefeated Eagles (29-for-41, 290 yds, 1/0 TD/INT).
Again, the Bears aren’t exactly the Legion of Boom secondary, but with these injuries to the secondary and talented options like McLaurin and Dotson to throw the ball to, this could be a strong game for Howell -- assuming the offensive line can keep him upright.
Kmet hauled in two receiving scores while picking up 85 yards on seven catches against the Broncos, but he’s a risky play Thursday. The Commanders rank third in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, and Kmet only had 11 catches for 104 yards with no scores prior to the Denver game. He’s the best of the options at the position Thursday, but those who don’t need to play a tight end might want to look elsewhere to fill out their rosters.
Sneaky options
Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI: $7,200
Johnson disappointed against the Broncos, with only 13 yards on five carries and only one target as a receiver. This is a bet on him being more involved in the passing game Thursday, as he’s a better option in that regard than Hebert, and he’ll likely be a safety valve for Fields against a strong Commanders pass rush.
We saw evidence of what Johnson can do with six catches in the opener against the Packers. It shouldn’t shock anyone if he received a similar level of opportunity in this one.
Dyami Brown, WR, WSH: $4,200
This is a dart throw, but it’s an intriguing one because of the cheaper price point. Brown hauled in two of his three targets for 51 yards against the Eagles, and the Bears’ secondary should allow opportunities.
The issue is McLaurin, Dotson and Curtis Samuel are likely to soak up most of that playing time, but I could see a similar yardage total for Brown as that fourth option. It’s worth a shot if you need to spread out the cash in DFS.
Cairo Santos, K, CHI: $6,900
Yep, a kicker. No team has given up more points to kickers this season than the Commanders. They’ve allowed 12 field goals and 10 extra points over the first four games. Chicago should be able to move the ball between the 20s, but it’s very easy to picture drives stalling out thanks in large part to sacks, and that could lead to some longer field-goal chances for Santos.
If you can use Santos as a flex play, it does make some sense. We promise we’ll do our best to not say nice things about kickers through the rest of the year.
Prediction
At some point, the Bears will win. It should have been Sunday against Denver except for late gaffes from Fields, the defense and the offensive line. Chicago could beat a mediocre Washington team that has just as many questions as it does answers, if not more. I’m just not willing to bet on it. Not yet anyway.
Commanders 34, Bears 24
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