Bears expected to have Khalil Herbert and Cole Kmet vs. Packers

As the Bears look to play spoiler to the Packers, they’re expected to have Khalil Herbert and Cole Kmet in the lineup.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their regular season finale against the hated Green Bay Packers, where they’re looking to end the year on a high note.

The Bears are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak against the Packers, while also keeping their arch-rivals out of the postseason. The good news is they’ll have two important offensive players ready to go.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, running back Khalil Herbert and tight end Cole Kmet are expected to play against the Packers. Herbert is nursing a back injury while Kmet has been dealing with a knee injury.

Kmet has had a career year with the Bears, where he has 70 catches for 678 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been one of quarterback Justin Fields’ most dependable weapons, and he’ll be key in this passing game.

Meanwhile, Herbert is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, and he’ll be a big part of their offensive gameplan as Chicago looks to play spoiler to Green Bay.

The Bears and Packers kick things off at 3:25 p.m. on CBS.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver-wire targets for Week 18.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 17 championship

Check out these starts and sits for Week 17.

The fantasy football season comes to a close for the majority of leagues this week, which means managers have just one more weekend of making start/sit decisions in their lineups.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 17:

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 17 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football for Week 17.

The majority of fantasy football leagues come to an end this week. It has been a long and grueling process to the point, and most of us have been left with disappointment with championship week upon us.

However, there are still plenty of vital matchups taking place, and the waiver wire should be a busy marketplace in Week 17 after the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Before we get to it, I’d like to thank you for sticking with us all season. We wouldn’t be here without the readers, and even though the suggestions haven’t always worked out, we’re appreciative of the time you’ve spent with us this season.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

Because it’s Week 17, there is no need for stashing players so we’ll only look at the top streaming options for the upcoming week along with the top waiver adds.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bears RB Khalil Herbert scores his first rushing TD of season vs. Cardinals

Bears running back Khalil Herbert has been on a tear in the first half against the Cardinals.

The Chicago Bears offense has found an early rhythm against the Arizona Cardinals, where they’ve moved the ball with ease, including a healthy dose of the run game.

With running back D’Onta Foreman inactive due to a personal matter, it’s been the Khalil Herbert show (with some Roschon Johnson sprinkled in).

Herbert has been dominant in the first half, including on Chicago’s second scoring drive. Herbert has eight carries for 62 yards, including a 11-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

The score capped an impressive 11-play, 90-yard scoring drive that lasted nearly six minutes.

Herbert started the season as the lead back, but he landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury earlier this season. In his absence, Foreman emerged as the team’s top back, and Herbert has since taken a secondary role.

The Bears offense has found plenty of success on the ground and through the air, and Herbert has been one of the standout performers on offense in the first half.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 14

Check out these starts and sits for Week 14 in fantasy football.

After watching a surprisingly decent Thursday night game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, the focus shifts toward a weekend full of vital decisions for fantasy football lineups.

The majority of bye weeks have passed as only the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders are the only two teams to get the week off. With most leagues finalizing the regular season in Week 14, the start/sit decisions have never been more crucial.

Hopefully, we can help get you into the dance for those trying to make it or help you spoil it for someone else.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 14:

Vikings gameday: Live updates from Vikings vs. Bears

Join us as we provide live updates throughout the game.

Monday night is finally here as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Join us as we discuss the game with live updates throughout each drive.

Tunnel Vision – Injuries, free agents and Sunday stars

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
 Trevor Lawrence  262-17 4
 Brock Purdy 333-14 3
 Justin Herbert 260-73 2
 Josh Allen 275-15 3
 Lamar Jackson 264-54 2
Running Backs Yards TD
Saquon Barkley 14-83
4-57
2
Jaylen Warren 9-129
3-16
1
Jahmyr Gibbs 8-36
6-59
1
Christian McCaffrey 21-78
5-25
1
Gus Edwards 12-62
2-8
2
Wide Receivers Yards TD
Calvin Ridley 7-103 2
Tyreek Hill 10-146 1
Tank Dell 8-149 1
Keenan Allen 10-116 1
Brandon Aiyuk 5-156 1
Tight Ends Yards TD
George Kittle 8-89 1
David Njoku 7-56 0
Stone Smartt 1-51 1
Dalton Schultz 2-32 1
Logan Thomas 5-58 0
Placekickers XP FG
Tyler Bass 2 4
Cairo Santos 2 4
Jason Meyers 1 3
Justin Tucker 4 2
Jason Sanders 2 2
Defense Sack – TO TD
Bills 6-4 0
Giants 4-6 1
Cowboys 6-2 1
Cardinals 4-3 0
Bears – Comm 2-4 0

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

QB Geno Smith – Elbow
RB D’Onta Foreman – Ankle
RB De’Von Achane – Knee
RB Aaron Jones – Knee
RB Kenneth Walker – Oblique
WR Darius Slayton – Arm
WR Cooper Kupp – Ankle
WR Tyreek Hill – Wrist

Chasing Ambulances

QB Geno Smith – Injured his elbow and left the game. Drew Lock played for two series in the fourth quarter, but Smith returned for the final drive and got the Seahawks in position for a 55-yard field goal that was missed and prevented a win. Smith has bruised triceps, and his status for Thursday night isn’t certain. Lock would replace him if needed.

 RB D’Onta Foreman – He injured his ankle early in the game but returned. He later reaggravated the same ankle and was held out for the rest of the contest. He’ll be examined on Monday to determine the severity. Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson take up the slack if Foreman misses any time.

RB De’Von Achane – The rookie hurt his knee when he was tackled, and HC Mike McDaniel said that Achane wanted back into the game, but was held out because “I was a little worried with the rust.” Which sounds more proactive and preventative than reactive to a serious injury. Practice reports will indicate how much of a setback Achane has (or doesn’t have). Raheem Mostert just handles all the touches if Achane isn’t back this week at the Jets.

RB Aaron Jones – He was no longer on the injury report from his season-long hamstring issue but then injured his knee in the win over the Chargers. He was carted to the locker room, though HC Matt LaFleur said he didn’t believe the issue was severe. AJ Dillon takes over in any absence of Jones, though earlier this year, it happened, and Dillon wasn’t much of a factor. Jones himself said he feared it was an ACL at first but that he didn’t think it would be anything serious. He’ll have an MRI on Monday to determine the prognosis.

RB Kenneth Walker – Injured his oblique and was in a lot of pain. HC Pete Carroll said that Walker’s injury was significant and that he may miss games. Zach Charbonnet will replace him for any missed time, and the Seahawks did not bump up any other backs’ workload. Charbonnet will see a workhorse role if Walker is out.

WR Cooper Kupp – He only caught one pass before the injury when he was blocking for Royce Freeman. HC Sean McVay said after the game that Kupp wanted to return but that he wasn’t 100% healthy, and they held him out. McVay said he did not know how severe the ankle injury might be. We should know more on Monday. Austin Trammel replaced him for the rest of the game. Puka Nacua caught his first touchdown in five games.

WR Tyreek Hill – Left the game in the second quarter with a wrist injury that sent him to the locker room, presumably for X-rays. He returned in the third quarter but then had no catches in the fourth quarter when the Dolphins went to a run-heavy script to finish the game. Apparently, there were no fractures, but it is unknown what soft-tissue injury may still exist.

 Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

QB  Trevor Lawrence – He was the top fantasy quarterback for the week despite having been given up on by fantasy owners tired of single-touchdown efforts with 200 yards or so. He threw for 262 yards and two scores to Calvin Ridley and ran in two scores – his first rushing touchdowns of the year. That did reflect a down game for Travis Etienne.

QB Tommy DeVito – Another player that entered Sunday with no expectations and yet left after passing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Commanders. The game was still almost entirely about Saquon Barkley as a rusher and a receiver, but DeVito was not a liability like he had been the previous week when he had totaled just 86 passing yards.

RB Devin Singletary – Dameon Pierce disappointed this year and is currently out on injury. But Singletary took the primary role in Week 10 and ran for 150 yards and a touchdown. Yesterday, he gained 112 yards on 22 rushes and another score. His only two starts resulted in the only 100-yard games by a Houston rusher this year. The Texans’ next games are at home versus the Jaguars and Broncos.

RB Ty Chandler – He is still the No. 2 guy in Minnesota, but he just rushed for 73 yards on ten carries at the Broncos and caught a season-high four passes for 37 yards. He had 14 touches to only 15 for Alexander Mattison.

Bears backfield – Khalil Herbert returned from injured reserve and ran 16 times for 35 yards in the loss to the Lions. Roschon Johnson gained 30 yards on six runs, while D’Onta Foreman only ran for 14 yards on six carries but bulled in the score. Foreman injured his ankle, and his status for the matchup with the Vikings this week won’t be known until later, but Foreman is the best back for inside and goal-line work as the most physical rusher. And the Bears are willing to use all three backs, and they still combine for less than what Justin Fields (18-104) turned in as the leading rusher.

QB Jordan Love – Granted, it came at home against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL, but Jordan Love turned in a season-best 322 passing yards and two touchdowns for his best performance of the year. It was his first 300-yard game and primarily relied on the wide receivers who caught both touchdowns.

WR Tank Dell – The Texan’s rookie now owns three 100-yard games and he just turned in a season-best eight catches for 149 yards and a touchdown – his third straight game with a score.

WR Odell Beckham – He played back on Thursday, but he’s one to remember for free-agent pickups. He was just another over-the-hill player latching on to what he described as potentially his final year, and for the first half of the season, that looked like a reality. But he scored in Weeks 9 and 10 with around 50 yards in each. And against the Bengals, he caught four passes for 116 yards. He injured his shoulder, but it’s been described as not an issue. The loss of Mark Andrews means other receivers have to step up. Beckham looks like the most likely of the bunch.

WR Jayden Reed – The Packers’ wideout turned in marginal stats this year but then posted 80+ yards in three of the last four games and scored in both Weeks 10 and 11. Romeo Doubs has been the primary target in the red zone, but now Reed is scoring weekly and gains more yards than the other Green Bay receivers.

 Huddle player of the week

Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Ridley  –  He was much-maligned after six sub-40-yard performances that left him unreliable for a fantasy start. Facing the Titans seemed like just another chance to be disappointed but Ridley led all NFL receivers with seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns, plus an 18-yard run. That happened on many, many fantasy benches this week, but there had to be a few fantasy owners that started him from a lack of other options and discovered that they had “the guy” for the week.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Tommy DeVito 246-7 2 QB Joe Burrow 101-7 1
RB Jaylen Warren 9-129
3-16
1 RB De’Von Achane 1-1
1-4
0
RB Devin Singletary 22-112
2-6
1 RB Kenneth Walker 4-18
1-(-2)
0
WR Calvin Ridley 7-103
1-18
2 WR Cooper Kupp 1-11 0
WR Khalil Shakir 3-115 1 WR Garrett Wilson 2-9 0
WR Darius Slayton 4-82 1 WR Stefon Diggs 4-27 0
TE Stone Smartt 1-51 1 TE Mark Andrews 2-23 0
PK Cairo Santos  2  XP  4 FG PK Greg Zuerlein   nope
Huddle Fantasy Points = 157 Huddle Fantasy Points = 28

Now get back to work…

Six points with David Dorey

Friday’s quick look at six fantasy items to know

The season is just about two-thirds done on the fantasy calendar, and playoffs are starting to come into view in the distance. Some large contests start in Week 14, and most leagues happen in Weeks 16 and 17, so there is still time to move up the standings. But the waiver in your league is likely bare outside of some bonehead dropping a fantasy starter.

Defenses and kickers still offer worthwhile finds, but only injury will uncover a new starter. The rest of the way is more about making optimal starting decisions and starting to look toward matchups your players will have in your playoffs.

Injuries continue to degrade all positions, and quarterbacks seem to have an unusual number of injuries. Ten have missed at least one game, and that is eleven if Joe Burrow misses time with the wrist injury he suffered last night. That’s one in three quarterbacks that have been injured, and there are eight more games in the season.

The topic for this week is NFL backfields and how they continue to change. After ten games, some teams have soured on their Week 1 starter and others just see more from the No. 2 guy. Here are my Top-6 backfields that are – or may be – in transition for the next few weeks and could heighten the fantasy prospects for one back while decreasing the other.

  1.  Tony Pollard / Rico Dowdle (DAL) – The Cowboys rushing offense apparently left with Ezekiel Elliott. What was once a strength is now a weakness. Tony Pollard turned in 1,007 yards on 193 carries (5.2 YPC) last year under a different coach and as the No. 2 back. He’s gaining 3.9 yards per carry, looking like a No. 2 miscast as a No. 1 back. Last week, the Cowboys clobbered the Giants 49-17, and Pollard only had 15 runs for 55 yards. Rico Dowdle had a career-best 79 yards and a score on 12 rushes. Chances are high that neither back is going to shine, but at least Dowdle looks likely to get more work at the expense of Pollard. It was very telling when Pollard couldn’t score from the 1-yard line on a fourth down. Dowdle later scored from the 1-yard line on a first down.
  2. D’Onta Foreman / Khalil Herbert (CHI) – Herbert has been on injured reserve since Oct. 13 with an ankle injury, but he’s entered the 21-day window to be activated and just had a full practice last week. Herbert averaged 5.7 YPC last year and 5.3 YPC through Week 5. But D’Onta Foreman has been very effective and handled 20 carries the last two weeks. At this point, it is most likely to see Foreman remain the primary but cede touches to Herbert and Roschon Johnson. The backfield cannot be truly evaluated until Herbert proves 100% healthy and is no longer being eased back in. The next two weeks should set the stage for expectations for after the Week 13 bye.
  3. De’Von Achane / Raheem Mostert (MIA) – All eyes are on the Miami backfield. Achane is expected to return and add to his ridiculous 12.1 YPC. But Raheem Mostert is there and still healthy, amazingly enough. After his breakout in Week 3, Achane and Mostert split carries 11:10 and 8:7. They faced the visiting Broncos and Giants and did much less at the Bills. More soft matchups await for the next month and we’ll see how long Achane needs to be active and at full strength endurance. Miami will split their workload and doesn’t like a workhorse. Facing the Raiders this week is another soft matchup, so it should be productive. But the key will be the total amount of carries in this pass-first offense.
  4. Dameon Pierce / Devin Singletary (HOU) – It appears that Pierce is no lock to return this week from his ankle injury. And in his absence, Singletary ran for 150 yards and a score on 30 rushes (5.0 YPC). The Texans host the Cardinals and their No. 32 defense versus running backs, so Singletary should really shine again. But the Houston O-line is one of the worst, and Singletary only totaled 62 runs for 209 yards through Week 9 (3.4 YPC). In Week 9, he was alone versus the Bucs and only gained 26 yards on 13 rushes. The passing game is improved in Houston as well. The most that will happen is that these backs start to split 50:50 and negate what minimal fantasy value there was.
  5. Kyren Williams / Darrell Henderson (LAR) – Williams is expected to return in Week 12 when he is eligible to come off injured reserve where he landed with a high-ankle sprain. Henderson and Royce Freeman have filled in, and Henderson logged 18 rushes for 61 yards and a score versus the Steelers, while Freeman totaled 66 yards on 12 runs. Freeman scored in Dallas but that game went sideways early. Williams should return to his same role, and both Henderson and Freeman should take a step back to just relief work. HC Sean McVay is already talking about his excitement in getting Williams back. The backfield should look good this week versus the visiting Seahawks, who are weak versus the run, but whatever happens won’t dampen the switch back to Williams when he is active again.
  6. Jaylen Warren / Najee Harris (PIT) – Last year, the Steelers’ run game took off in the second half of the season, and it appears that it may be repeating. The offensive line is playing better and Jaylen Warren is tearing off as many longer runs as anyone lately. The duo started the year with Harris as the 3:1 lead, but they have morphed into a true committee now with their best game of the year in Week 10 when they split 31 carries for 183 yards and two touchdowns versus the Packers. The last few games were at home and the next two are at the Browns and Bengals. The remaining schedule is better than most, though, and for now, these two swap out regularly. That helps Warren and dings Harris.

About last night…

Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals 20, Ravens 34

There were more points than most Thursday games, but it is the aftermath of that game that will be more important. Joe Burrow injured his throwing wrist and he’ll be examined on Friday. The outward signs suggested it was a serious enough injury that he could miss a game or more. Mark Andrews had his ankle rolled up on a tackle and left the game after two catches. He’s expected to be out for the rest of the season with a high-ankle sprain “plus more.” Losing Anderson puts a ding in the Ravens’ offense, but one that the rest of the receivers can try to compensate for. Losing Burrow for any time sinks the fantasy value of the entire Bengals’ offense and signals that the 5-5 Bengals likely face the reality that the postseason is out of reach.

The Bengals had enough trouble moving the ball with Burrow, and after he left, Jake Browning took over with minimal success. Tight end Tanner Hudson led the Bengals’ receivers with four catches for 49 yards – the second-best performance of his four-year career. But Tyler Boyd (3-22) and Ja’Marr Chase (2-12, TD) were little used, and Chase’s score was with one minute left in the already-decided game. Joe Mixon was the only Bengal that met expectations when he ran for 69 yards on 16 rushes and caught a team-high five passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. The 5-5 Bengals host the Steelers in Week 12.

Lamar Jackson turned in a standard performance. He ran for 54 yards and threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson Agholor (1-37, TD) and Rashod Bateman (1-10, TD) caught those, while Odell Beckham (4-116) led all receivers before leaving with a shoulder injury. Zay Flowers (3-43) was quieter than expected. The win boost the Ravens to 8-3 still atop the AFC North and they head to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.

Bears run game has been dominant in past 4 games

Even down two of their top running backs, the Bears run game has thrived in the last month.

The Chicago Bears were the NFL’s top ranked rushing offense last season. And while they got off to a bit of a slow start this year, they’re once again a top five unit in the league.

The Bears are averaging 141.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks fifth in the NFL. But they’ve really hit their stride over the past four games, averaging  171 rushing yards per game. They’ve rushed for 171 yards (Broncos), 178 yards (Commanders), 162 yards (Vikings) and 173 yards (Raiders).

It’s made all the more impressive considering Chicago has been without its top two running backs in the past two games. Khalil Herbert landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury while rookie Roschon Johnson has been dealing with a concussion.

But veteran D’Onta Foreman has more than stepped up in their absence. After being inactive for four straight games, Foreman has been a reliable force on the ground with 31 rushes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaged 5.0 yards per carry.

Foreman’s best game came in Week 7, where the team leaned on him and Darrynton Evans with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent making his first NFL start. Foreman accounted for 120 total yards (89 rushing, 31 receiving) and three total touchdowns, while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

With Johnson slated to return this week against the Raiders — and Herbert expected to return in a few weeks — things could get interesting in the running back room. There are plenty of capable backs — now it’s about spreading the wealth.