RADIO
The Chicago Bears have not been very impressive through two weeks, especially offensively, and yet they are road favorites at Washington in the Monday nighter. So far, the Bears haven’t been able to mount a competent passing attack, which affects the production throughout the lineup and can tilt how you might like to play your props, particularly when they go up against a Washington defense that has some issues of its own.
On the other hand, the Washington offense has some limitations, as you might expect when journeyman starting quarterback Case Keenum is throwing the ball to a collection of mostly unknown receivers. And they get to do it against a Bears Defense that remains formidable.
Maybe this is just the matchup that the Bears need, a chance to play a softer defense and a chance to turn their own defense loose on an offense that is, at best, a work in progress. Here are some angles to consider when playing Monkey Knife Fight props on Monday night.
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CHICAGO-WASHINGTON
OVER/UNDERS
Case Keenum UNDER 238.5 PASSING YARDS – While Keenum has been accurate, completing 69.1% of his passes, and has thrown for 601 yards in two games, it’s still not a lock to hit 15 yards over the 224 passing yards per game that the Bears have allowed this season. With Washington tackle Trent Williams still not playing, there is also the chance that Keenum will spend the night scrambling to avoid pressure that could be brought by Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack.
Mitchell Trubisky OVER 233.5 PASSING YARDS – What do we make of the Bears quarterback who got a win last week but passed for 120 yards in the process? Washington’s pass defense is suspect, allowing 287 yards per game through the first two weeks, so that offers some hope but, given Trubisky’s inconsistency, this can only be viewed as the most half-hearted recommendation.
Allen Robinson UNDER 16.5 FANTASY POINTS – It would make things that much easier for all involved in the Bears passing game if Trubisky could start throwing touchdown passes (he hasn’t in the first two games) and Robinson would figure to be the prime beneficiary since he’s the one consistent downfield target for the Bears quarterback. Robinson has been targeted 20 times, catching 11 for 143 yards but that includes a modest four catches for 41 yards at Denver last week. If he caught six passes for 100 yards that would still leave him on the under (unless he had bigger totals or added a touchdown) and it seems a bit optimistic to count on that production.
Terry McLaurin OVER 11.5 FANTASY POINTS – A third-round pick out of Ohio State, McLaurin is a 23-year-old rookie who has suddenly become Washington’s No. 1 receiver. He’s been targeted 16 times in two games and has put up 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He doesn’t have a track record that compares to the Bears’ Robinson but this number is more easily achievable.
David Montgomery UNDER 64.5 RUSHING YARDS – The Bears barely let the horse out of the barn against Green Bay in Week One, when Montgomery had 18 yards on six carries, and it was better at Denver in Week Two, when he had 62 yards on 18 carries. With 3.3 yards per carry in his first couple of games, it’s asking a lot for Montgomery to produce at least 65 rushing yards.
David Montgomery UNDER 13.5 FANTASY POINTS – The mediocre early production (113 yards from scrimmage, two receptions, one touchdown) means that either Montgomery has a breakout performance in Week Three or he will need a touchdown to make that point total achievable.
RAPID FIRE
Chris Thompson +0.5 receptions vs. Allen Robinson – While Robinson has been targeted a few more times in the first two games, it’s easier to complete passes to the running back, which helps explain Thompson accruing a dozen receptions in the first two games, compared to 11 for Robinson. That’s at least enough to like Thompson as the underdog, even if he faces a stronger Bears defense and Robinson gets a matchup with Washington’s shaky D.
David Montgomery -12.5 rushing yards vs. Adrian Peterson – For all the questions about usage and untapped potential with Montgomery, he does offer more hope than Peterson, who didn’t play in Week One and returned to the lineup with 25 yards on 10 carries in Week Two. It’s entirely possible for Montgomery to have a mediocre running game and have it still be enough to cover in this situation.
