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The Chicago Bears have lost six straight games since kicking off the year 5-1 and will host the Houston Texans in Week 14 at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers are running away with the AFC North but could still get a wild card spot by catching up to the Minnesota Vikings. Can the Bears pull it together down the stretch?
Nick Foles has been out of commission with a knee injury but could return to action this weekend to Mitchell Trubisky, who’s lost two straight games to divisional rivals. Foles hasn’t been very impressive throwing the football but the Texans’ porous run defense could fork up tons of yardage to David Montgomery and Cordarelle Patterson. Houston was also torched by T.Y. Hilton for 110 receiving yards on eight catches in Week 12 so Allen Robinson could be primed for a strong performance as well. He hasn’t caught less than six passes in five weeks.
The Texans’ passing attack took a hit when Will Fuller was suspended for the year after violating the NFL’s PED policy but Keke Coutee and Chad Hansen were ready to answer the call on Sunday. Both wideouts eclipsed 100 receiving yard against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. Indianapolis has been consistently good against the run and pass all year so Coutee and Hansen could still be factors against the Bears alongside Brandin Cooks.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Texans: #20 Overall — #9 offense, #27 defense, #21 special teams
Bears: #19 Overall — #27 offense, #8 defense, #10 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Texans: -1, -114
Bears: +1, +100
Total: 45
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Texans
Deshaun Watson, QB, $7,600
Watson threw for 348 yards and ran for a score without his WR1 against one of the best secondaries in the NFL. He’s thrown for more than 300 yards in three straight games while throwing six touchdowns with one interception. Watson’s ability to extend plays and break contain helps him throw receivers open and keep defenses guessing. This isn’t the best matchup for him but his recent success makes him hard to pass on.
Keke Coutee, WR, $5,000
I’m all in on Coutee after seeing him in Week 13. He’s the clear WR2 with Fuller out. Hansen played more snaps than any other Texans wideout on Sunday but has only appeared in one regular season game in almost three years. Coutee is the safer bet and has a higher ceiling because of his elusiveness in the open field.
Bears
David Montgomery, Running Back, $6,500
Montgomery is up against a Texans defense that ranks 31st agains running backs on DraftKings and has eclipsed 27 DKFP in two straight weeks. Houston has given up more rushing yards than any team in the NFL so Montgomery should have a field day.
Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver, $6,800
Robinson ranks fourth in targets and fifth in receptions but is significantly cheaper than the players ahead of him in both categories. He hasn’t dipped below 10 DKFP in 10 games. It’s hard to bank on him with the Bears’ inconsistency at quarterback but the return of Foles could help Robinson bounce back.