Bears pass defense isn't that bad
As Lance Moore owners like myself debate whether to start him at Chicago despite his recent downturn, keep this in mind: Chicago's pass defense isn't as bad you think.
Yes, it's "ranked" 28th in pass defense. But that's quite misleading. It's faced the most attempts in the league, and is actually ninth in net yards-per-attempt allowed. It has intercepted 19 passes, which is second in the league. Add it all up, and the Bears are a slightly tougher than average allowing fantasy points.
Throw in Drew Brees' relative struggles on the road (7 TDs, 10 INTs, lots of yards), and a weather forecast that will be below freezing with 10-15 MPH winds, and the Saints passing attack is unlikely to go bonkers.
They are still the Saints. Yards and lots of attempts will happen. The Bears are still easier to throw against than run, and Sean Payton usually doesn't need a big excuse to ditch the run game. My initial rankings have Colston and Moore as cautious WR2 options. There just aren't many better plays out there. In my big league, a non PPR, the debate is between Moore, Vincent Jackson (at Kansas City), and Marvin Harrison (vs. Cincy). Let's go to the polls...
Comments
For what it's worth, footballoutsiders has Chicago #9 against #1 WRs, #24 against #2 WRs, #12 against other WRs, and #3 against TEs.
I'm playing Lance Moore. I dropped Marvin Harrison in the league I have Moore, Andre, and Marshall. 0.5 ppr, too. I also got rid of Shockey.
I'll be playing Wes Welker in another league over Colston as my #3WR behind Dre and Marshall again(0.25 ppr). Although I could see a last minute change benching Dre for Colston...but doubtful.
Posted by: Dennis | December 10, 2008 11:14 AM
Gore got hurt, so I pretty much have to play Bush this week. I am hoping they can get some screens off against The Bears, who usually seem to eat screens alive. Yes, I am nervous. No, Gore's injury could not have come at a worse time...
Posted by: Mike | December 10, 2008 11:26 AM
Marvin Harrison is playing Detroit..
virtually just Cincy in blue and gray but with less run D
Posted by: Obama Mama | December 10, 2008 11:47 AM
It doesn't matter who Marvin Harrison is playing...he's not trustworthy.
Sure, he could do 3 for 78 and a TD like he did against Cincy.
Or he could go 1 for 16 like he did against Minnesota, 4 for 32 like he did against Houston the first time, or 2 for 11 like he did against GB, or 1 for 12 against TEN or 4 for 50 against NE or 3 for 27 like against Cleveland. He's had choice matchups before and sometimes he's done well and sometimes he hasn't.
Lance Moore is the better fantasy player.
Posted by: Dennis | December 10, 2008 12:03 PM
Is Lance Moore even the #2 WR in NO? When the Saints are in 2 receiver sets (I know, rarely), I always see Devery Henderson in there.
Posted by: Jeff | December 10, 2008 12:21 PM
i have the same debate. i got moore in a ppr to go with roddy and brandon marshall, but also have royal, and cutler at qb. every week i debate whether to go totally bronco heavy with cutler marshall and royal, but try to splice in some moore every now and again. it looks like this week is harder to deciede to use moore over royal or not. if it was in NO i would def go moore but with the weather conditions, the matchup, and the fact that hes been dropping off lately (eventho royal hasnt exactly been lighting it up) i think i have to go royal.
I also would consider picking jackson over him here but i think thats a stretch. u know moore is gonna get atlest 6pts and up in ppr, jackson could go for nil any given week. untrustworthy and not worth it. moore.
Posted by: scott | December 10, 2008 12:22 PM
its tough to say with that offense. seems like every other week either lance is blowing up or its colston who has the monster game. the other usually is far hindered in production. very tough to predict who will get the points at receiver each week on that team. they seem to riding the hot hand, so i guess that means colston will blow up again.
Posted by: scott | December 10, 2008 12:27 PM