BALLER MOVE: Add in 12- and 14-Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 34% Fleaflicker
ANALYSIS: Over the past three weeks, Matt Barkley hasn’t looked out of place as the Bears' starting QB. The team is 1-2 over those games with 21 PPG, up from the 16 they had averaged all season to that point. Barkley’s competence helps the receivers stay relevant. Cameron Meredith has seen his receptions and yardage grow each week with the new QB. Last week's game against the Lions was his best since Week 6— he caught six of his team-leading eight targets for 72 yards, inducing a 31-yard TD reception in the third quarter. In Barkley’s three starts, only Josh Bellamy has more targets than Meredith (22 to 21).
Alshon Jeffery returns from his suspension this week, pushing Meredith down to the team's No. 2 WR. However, with Green Bay coming to town next week it may not matter. Barkley will need to pass early and often to keep up with his division rivals, and if Jeffery isn’t ready to go 100% right off the bat, opportunities will still be there for Meredith to produce. Green Bay has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, and the second-most touchdowns, behind only San Francisco. Available in 75 percent of leagues right now, Meredith can be had for little and makes for a decent flex play in Week 15.
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