Bears

Def/Spec Team

The Bears will try to dial up pressure against Luck with an injury-riddled defense that will be without several key pieces on Sunday. Rookie first-round pick LB Leonard Floyd (calf) is the latest Chicago defender to get dinged up, leaving DC Vic Fangio with few options at linebacker. Despite the thin defensive depth chart, the Bears D/ST is worth a look as a streaming target against Andrew Luck and the Colts.

Trevathan and Goldman are looking at multiple week absences while Houston is out for the season. The losses for the Chicago front seven will severely weaken a group that already allowed 100 or more rushing yards in both games this season. The Bears D/ST will be far from the fantasy radar in Week 3 at Dallas.

Chicago rolls into a Week 9 bye with an improving defense that has racked up 14 sacks in the last four weeks. Not only has the Chicago defensive front increased pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but it has held opposing rushing attacks to just 78 yards per outing over that same four-game span. The Bears D/ST will be a mid-range fantasy option in Week 10 on the road at Tampa Bay.

Fuller was placed on injured reserve after undergoing a knee scope in August, but has practiced all week as his potential return date nears. “Now we’re just working through him medically, durability-wise, and how much he can play,” said coach John Fox. While Fuller’s Week 13 status is still in question, he should have a good shot to see playing time in Week 14 and help the Chicago defense that has recorded just two interceptions since Week 4. The Bears D/ST is a risky streaming option this week at home against San Francisco.

Freeman has not played since Week 11 after being hit with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Despite the absence, Freeman still leads the Chicago defense in tackles by a healthy margin and his return will be a boost to DC Vic Fangio’s group. The Bears D/ST has forced just three turnovers since Week 7 and won’t be a recommended fantasy option in Week 16 against Washington.

Since getting torched by Ezekiel Elliott for 140 yards in Week 3, the Bears’ run defense has yet to allow a running back to top 75 yards in a single game and will face the 31st-ranked rushing offense of the New York Giants in Week 11. The Bears D/ST is a mid-range fantasy option on the road this week but will enter the streaming conversation in Weeks 12 and 13 with home games against Tennessee and San Francisco.

Facing the Packers and Cardinals to begin the season isn’t a cushy start by any means, but the Chicago defense has been awful through two games. In Week 3, things won’t get any easier for Chicago as they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks in their home opener. The Bears D/ST won’t be anywhere near the fantasy radar this week, but do have a home date with the Raiders in Week 4.

ESPN Chicago believes that Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young will all see an increase in snaps this week when Chicago hosts the Oakland Raiders."Well, we’ll roll those guys in there,” Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “I think Sam will play a good bit of the base stuff, and then Lamarr and Willie and Pernell McPhee and then Sam in the mix to play the sub stuff.” Allen did not have a sack through three weeks in Chicago, so the Bears will be looking for more pass rush contributions from their new committee. The Bears D/ST is far from a viable Week 4 fantasy option, facing a surprisingly successful Oakland offense.

New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will attempt to revive the Chicago secondary that finished 2014 30th in the NFL against the pass after coughing up 264.4 passing yards per contest. The Chicago D/ST can safely be left off of fantasy cheat sheets this draft season and certainly won’t be an option in Week 1 as they host the Green Bay Packers.

The Bears D/ST group recorded seven sacks and registered three turnovers against Thaddeus Lewis and the Cleveland backups. While the preseason effort should be taken with a grain of salt, the Bears defense needs all the momentum it can get prior to a Week 1 battle with Green Bay. Fantasy owners will be avoiding the Chicago D/ST unit this season.