Chicago Bears Fantasy Outlook: Week 2

The Bears’ loss to the Packers is in the past. It’s behind us. We can now look ahead to Week 2 when Chicago returns home to Soldier Field for a favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Matt Nagy and the offensive unit have some growing up to do, and now it’s time to settle in and make the right adjustments.
Seattle comes to Chicago with a depleted roster. They are remnants of their former team after trading Michael Bennett, losing Richard Sherman to free agency and watching Kam Chancellor retire. Earl Thomas is the last remaining member of the Legion of Boom, and it shows.
Last week against the Denver Broncos the Seahawks allowed 470 total yards in a 27-24 loss. The once daunting defense let two rookie running backs rush for 71 yards each and Case Keenum threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensively, it doesn’t get much better.
The Seahawks will most likely be without their top wide receiver, Doug Baldwin, leaving the primary target responsibilities to Tyler Lockett and Brandon Marshall. To put it bluntly, the offensive line is bad. Russell Wilson scrambled for his life while the Broncos racked up six sacks, including three from Von Miller. Next up for Wilson: Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears.
There is plenty of upside for the Bears this week in fantasy, but just like our dreams of a blowout victory at Lambeau Field, expectations should be tempered.

Jordan Howard

Howard was a steady contributor to the Bears’ offense against the Packers. He earned 20 touches for a total of 107 total yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Howard was also targeted five times and recorded five receptions, catching more passes than Tarik Cohen without dropping a ball. As long as Howard remains a three-down back in Chicago, Cohen will be nearly irrelevant in the fantasy conversation.
If Nagy learned anything from last week, he’ll start to lean on Howard while Trubisky develops a rhythm in the offense. Howard is a lock for over 100 all-purpose yards and at least one touchdown.
Fantasy Prediction:

• 102 rushing yards, one touchdown
• Four receptions, 24 yards

Allen Robinson

Robinson was the focal point of a poor passing offense a week ago against the Packers, snagging four receptions for 61 yards. Last week, Emmanuel Sanders torched the Seahawks for 10 catches, 135 yards and a touchdown. Now that the Legion of Boom is no more, there’s no better week for Trubisky to click with his receivers.
Robinson has a chance to be a big part of the offense this week. The Seahawks’ defense only sacked Keenum one time, meaning Trubisky will have more time in the pocket. The passing game should improve this week, but until we see that chemistry develop, Robinson should be treated as a low-end WR2.
Fantasy Prediction:

• Six catches, 82 yards

Trey Burton

Burton had a quiet night against the Packers catching only one pass for 15 yards. He was blanketed by the Packers’ defenders from the slot for the majority of the game. In a perfect world, Nagy utilizes a simpler passing attack for Trubisky, allowing for intermediate throws to players like Burton instead of throwing play action passes to Dion Sims.
Burton still has a high ceiling as Trubisky’s security blanket, making him a solid TE1 in PPR leagues. His success will be relatively proportional to the offense’s success as a whole. His production will most likely mirror Demaryius Thomas’ from Week 1 in which Thomas caught six passes for 63 yards and one touchdown.
Nagy should scrap the game plan of throwing screens every drive and look to the strengths of his offense. Run the ball and throw to Burton, and the Bears are bound to succeed.
Fantasy Prediction:

• Five catches, 65 yards, one touchdown

Chicago’s Defense

The Bears defense gave up 410 total yards in a devastating loss to the packers. We saw the good, the bad and the ugly in this defense throughout the game. The first half was phenomenal as they allowed zero points, forced two turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown. In the second half, the team was clearly out of gas and allowed Aaron Rodgers to throw three touchdowns to win the game.
Chicago should wreak havoc on the Seahawks’ offensive line. Their downfall last week was fatigue at the end of the game. Another week of practice gets Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith more conditioned for gameday.
The Bears’ defense will be a solid streaming option this week, but still face the threat of Wilson making something out of nothing. He threw for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns but was also picked two times.
Fantasy Prediction:

• 289 total yards allowed, 17 points allowed and two takeaways