In a battle of 3-1 teams, the Chicago Bears will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.
It’s also a battle between the two quarterbacks from Super Bowl LII—Nick Foles and Tom Brady, both of whom are still getting situated with their new teams. After struggling in Week 1, Brady has caught fire over the last three weeks, throwing for nine touchdown passes, including five in Sunday’s 38-35 comeback win over the Chargers.
Foles led the Bears to a comeback victory in Week 3, earning him the start in Week 4, which didn’t go that well. Foles completed 26 of 42 passes for 249 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 19-11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
We’ll see if he can get the best of Brady again on Thursday. Here’s how to watch the game, odds for the matchup, key injuries, and notable fantasy football start/sit considerations.
TV Info
Date: Thursday, Oct. 8
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX/NFL Network
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Bucs: #1 overall - #7 offense, #2 defense, #25 special teams
Bears: #22 overall - #27 offense, #7 defense, #30 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Bucs: -5.5, -245
Bears: +5.5, +210
Total: 44
Injury report
Bucs
OUT: WR Chris Godwin (hamstring), RB LeSean McCoy (ankle), WR Justin Watson (chest)
DOUBTFUL: RB Leonard Fournette (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Mike Evans (ankle), WR Scott Miller (hip, groin)
Bears
OUT: S Deon Bush (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: S Sherrick McManis (hamstring)
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Bucs
Rob Gronkowski, TE, $4,500
Gronkowski has gotten off to a slow start with his new team, with just nine catches in four games, seven of which came in Week 3. But with O.J. Howard expected to be out a while with an Achilles injury, Gronk becomes TE1 for Tampa, which ranks top 10 in the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
The Bears are also a pretty good matchup, having surrendered a touchdown to a tight end in three of four games this season.
Ronald Jones II, RB, $5,800
If Leonard Fournette is out again, Jones is one of the best plays in the league. He had 26 touches—20 carries, six catches—for 128 yards against the Chargers. All three totals were season highs.
Bears
David Montgomery, RB, $5,400
There aren’t many Bears that are worth starting, but at least with Montgomery you know he is going to get touches. His 53 carries are tied for 15th in the league. And with Tarik Cohen out for the season, there is no reason to think Montgomery’s workload will change. The problem is Montgomery has yet to find the end zone, hampering his value significantly.
Nick Foles struggled in his first start with the Bears, but seems to have nice rapport with Robinson, who caught seven of his 10 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. That’s nearly half of Foles’ passing total. Robinson also caught a TD from Foles the week before and should have a productive day against a Buccaneers secondary that ranks 19th in the league in passing yards allowed.