Fantasy Matchup: Ravens vs Bears

Against the Lions last week, the Ravens’ offense set records for offensive yards (548) and rushing touchdowns (five) while tying a franchise-record for points scored (48).  While this week’s matchup isn’t as favorable as last week’s from a fantasy perspective, the Bears rank in the top half of the league in most fantasy points allowed to all offensive skill positions.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of projected stats for the offensive players in this game:

QUARTERBACKS

Joe Flacco, Ravens: Last week was all about efficiency for Flacco — 65 percent of his passes completed and a 120.8 passer rating.  From a fantasy standpoint, his 230 yards and one passing touchdown didn’t add up to as much fantasy production as I had expected from the sophomore QB.  It’s more likely than not that the Ravens will look to run the ball effectively, which could limit Flacco’s production once again.  That said, the game should be much closer than last week’s game, which could lead to more than the 20 pass attempts he had against Detroit.

Projected stats: 225 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Jay Cutler, Bears: As he was in Denver, Cutler has been inconsistent with the Bears.  Cutler’s stats at home (11 TDs, 5 INTs) are much better than his stats on the road (8 TDs, 17 INTs).  Fortunately for the Ravens, they get the road version of Cutler.  If you need Cutler to deliver for you in the fantasy playoffs, you may have some time next week to start preparing for your fantasy baseball draft in the spring.

Projected stats: 250 passing yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs

RUNNING BACKS

Ray Rice, Ravens: In my weekly running back rankings, I ranked Rice ahead of all running backs not named Chris Johnson.  Last week, Rice had a career game and he should be in for another big day against a Bears’ defense that allows the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.  Rice has nearly 1700 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns in 13 games.

Projected stats: 90 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, 1 TD

Willis McGahee, Ravens: McGahee started the season on a touchdown-scoring tear (seven touchdowns in his first four games).  He didn’t score from week 5 to week 11.  Now in the past three games, he has four rushing touchdowns including two in last week’s game.

Projected stats: 40 rushing yards, 1 TD

Matt Forte, Bears: Forte has been an enormous disappointment for the Bears and for fantasy owners that drafted him in the (top half of the) first round this year.  He has only scored touchdowns and only rushed for 67+ yards in games against the Lions, Rams and Browns.  The Ravens allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs so it should be another tough week for Forte.  (It won’t get any better for Forte owners as he faces the Vikings next week as well.)

Projected stats: 40 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards

WIDE RECEIVERS

Derrick Mason, Ravens: With the exception of the Packers’ game two weeks ago, Mason has scored 12+ fantasy points in three of his past four games.  He should have another solid week as the Bears have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to wide receivers and it’s possible that Mark Clayton will miss another game.

Projected stats: 6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

(Both Clayton and Kelley Washington did not practice on Thursday.  Neither player or Demetrius Williams is worth playing in fantasy leagues.)

Devin Hester, Bears: He’s doubtful (calf) for Sunday’s game.

Johnny Knox, Bears: With Hester out last week, Knox had a solid game — five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.  Knox is one of the speediest receivers in the NFL, but Cutler’s inconsistency on the road makes Knox (or the other Bears’ receivers) a weak fantasy play.

Projected stats: 4 receptions, 60 yards

Earl Bennett, Bears: Last week, Cutler’s former college teammate only had one reception for six yards after a solid performance against the Rams in which he had 74 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Projected stats: 2 receptions, 30 yards

Devin Aromashodu, Bears: Aromashodu had the biggest game of his career last week when he caught eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.  Aromashodu is a big target (6′2″ and 200 pounds).

Projected stats: 3 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

TIGHT ENDS

Todd Heap, Ravens: Touchdowns are difficult to predict, but Heap still has not scored a touchdown since week 2.  He has 90 receiving yards in past two weeks.  The Bears are middle-of-the-road in stopping tight ends.

Projected stats: 3 receptions, 40 yards

Greg Olsen, Bears: The last four weeks have been frustrating for Olsen owners.  In weeks 9 and 10, he caught 12 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns.  In the past four games, Olsen has 102 receiving yards and no touchdowns.  In other words, 10 fantasy points combined in his past four games.

Projected stats: 4 receptions, 40 yards

Good luck in week 15 and check back this weekend for my prediction on Sunday’s game.

Tags: Demetrius Williams, Derrick Mason, Devin Aromashodu, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Greg Olsen, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco, Johnny Knox, Kelley Washington, Mark Clayton, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Todd Heap, Willis McGahee