NEWSLETTER
Now that we’ve got the first-game jitters out of the way, it’s almost time to see what Mitch Trubisky has in store for an encore.
“Never Tell Me The Odds:”
The Chicago Bears (1-4) are 7-point road underdogs (with the over/under set at 39) against the Baltimore (3-2), according to Bovada. Chicago is 3-2 against the spread in 2016 and 10-11 since the start of 2016.
Baltimore is also 3-2 against the spread and 1-1 against the line as a favorite this year.
Series History:
The Chicago Bears haven’t played the Baltimore Ravens since 2013, but have the all-time series edge at 3-2. However, the Bears have been outscored 77-70 in those games.
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Officiating Crew:
Location: M&T Bank Stadium; Baltimore, Md.
Broadcast Info: noon, CBS-TV (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson), WBBM-AM 780, WCFS-FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Zach Zaidman)
Referee: Ed Hochuli
Expected Starters and Lineups:
Bears Offense Expected Starters:
Bears Defense Expected Starters:
Bears Specialists:
Ravens Offense Expected Starters:
Ravens Defense Expected Starters:
Ravens Specialists:
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Chicago Bears – Offense
Kendall Wright turned out to be Mitch Trubisky’s favorite wide receiver target in his debut and figures to be a key cog in an offense that just lost another starting receiver to injury. Wright is the most accomplished receiver on the Bears roster and arguably the most versatile because he can operate in the slot or on the outside. Unfortunately, without much of a vertical threat, finding yards and space in the middle of the field will be hard to come by. If your fantasy team is desperate for a flex play (or you just want to have a Bears player on your team because you’re a glutton for punishment) Wright will probably be your guy. But be warned, the Ravens have allowed the fifth fewest points to quarterbacks and sixth fewest to receivers this season, according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.
Baltimore’s defense has allowed the 13th most fantasy points to running backs this season, but a bulk of that came when Le’Veon Bell ran 35 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, then added four catches and 42 receiving yards. Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are the two most talented offensive playmakers on the team and their levels of success will determine how productive the Bears offense will be on Sunday. The Ravens have allowed three rushing touchdowns in the last two games, but have otherwise been respectable.
Chicago Bears – Defense
Pernell McPhee might be the most motivated player on the Bears sideline because he’ll want to show the Ravens they let a good thing go when they decided not to bring him back when he hit free agency. However, Leonard Floyd is the Bears defensive player worth keeping tabs on during Sunday’s game. Floyd was a difference-maker against the Vikings, coming up with an 81.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for his efforts. After struggling in his first two games, Floyd came up with two sacks, a safety, and came up with three solo stops against the run. He’ll need to be that good again for the Bears to be competitive.
Adrian Amos has been more than an admirable fill-in for Quintin Demps. Since taking over as the team’s starting strong safety, Amos has produced an 82.2 grade from PFF that ranks him 18th at the position. He earned an 83.9 grade against the Packers in his first start and was the team’s highest-graded player in the Bears secondary against the Vikings. He’ll need to continue his strong play against tight end Benjamin Watson and any number of Ravens running backs if the Bears defense is going to play well enough to win.
Baltimore Ravens – Offense
Joe Flacco’s 70.2 grade from PFF ranks him 29th among starting quarterbacks, with only Jay Cutler (69.7), Philip Rivers (66.4), and DeShone Kizer (44.0) owning lower grades. Even Mike Glennon (71.7) has a better grade than Flacco. That’s far from elite company. In Baltimore’s two losses, Flacco completed 58 percent of his passes, threw for 263 yards, and tossed more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (1) while posting a 47.0 rating. If the Bears defense can force Flacco into being that guy, they have a chance at an upset.
The Bears have allowed the 13th most fantasy points to kickers, which makes Justin Tucker – who scored in double figures against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5 – arguably the most important offensive asset on the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens – Defense
The Bears might have missed the boat on Tony Jefferson in free agency, but his 58.8 grade at PFF places him 53rd among the league’s 83 qualifying safeties. Eric Weddle is an 11-year vet with four Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro performances under his belt. If that Ravens secondary can intimidate Trubisky and bait him into some mistakes, it will be a long day on the gridiron for the rookie.
Terrell Suggs is still getting it done at age 35 and already has four sacks in five games. Suggs has an 80.6 grade from PFF, which makes him the site’s 28th best edge defender. Not too far behind him is his old friend and former teammate Pernell McPhee, who has an 80.3 grade. Watching the edge rushers in this game against the Bears’ offensive line will be a high priority.
