The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football at 8:30 p.m. ET. Fantasy lineups have to be set before the 1 p.m. ET games taking place today, so it’s time to discuss which Eagles players you shoul consider starting.
Ryan Mathews
Mathews performance against the Browns defense wasn’t too inspiring. The running back carried the ball 22 times for 77 yards, but he did score late in the game. He received 13.70 points in standard scoring leagues and that should be a good amount of points to help your team from the running back position.
The Bears were 23rd in 2015 versus the run and have already struggled containing it this season. The Bears played the Houston Texans last Sunday and the team’s running back, Lamar Miller, rushed for over 100 yards on 26 carries. That was Miller’s debut with the Texans. Mathews definitely deserves starting consideration either as your No. 2 running back or your flex.
Nelson Agholor
This is a surprise start and not one I expect many to take seriously. Agholor did match his last season touchdown reception number of one this past Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns, and that was while being covered by pro-bowl cornerback, Joe Haden, in press coverage. Agholor scored 11.70 points in standard leagues.
Carson Wentz showed confidence in the 2015 first-round pick, which is exactly what Agholor needed in order to restore his own. The Eagles have Agholor listed as the No. 1 wide receiver on the depth chart, which shouldn’t mean that much since the team rotates the receivers around now, but his matchup could prove to be favorable. Bears No. 1 cornerback, Kyle Fuller, has been limited in practice throughout the week and is questionable to play on Monday. Even if he does play, Fuller won’t be 100% healthy and Agholor can take advantage of that.
Deiondre’ Hall, the Bears fourth-round pick in 2016, will replace Fuller in the starting lineup if the cornerback can’t play. Hall played his college ball at Northern Iowa, where he played Wentz the past two seasons, so there’s a familiarity there with Hall’s tendencies for the rookie quarterback. Agholor looks to build off of his momentum from last week and don’t be surprised if Wentz looks his way on the long ball again.
Jordan Matthews
Matthews is usually a regular fantasy start in most leagues, but he’s a must start for Monday night’s matchup. The chemistry Matthews and Wentz showed last Sunday was undeniable, the two looked like they were playing together for years.
Matthews caught seven passes for 114 yards and a score Sunday, which led to 17.40 points in standard scoring leagues. This week he faces off primarily versus Bryce Callahan in the slot. The height advantage Matthews (6’3) over Callahan (5’9) cannot be ignored.
The Eagles did rotate Matthews on the outside occasionally, which was where he caught his touchdown reception on Sunday versus Browns No. 2 cornerback, Tramon Williams, and it should be expected for him to do the same again. Tracy Porter (5’11), who is the Bears No. 2 cornerback, was completely abused this past Sunday by Texans rookie wide receiver, Will Fuller, and has been suffering from bad play the last two seasons. Matthews is a must start in any league.
Wildcard start: Carson Wentz
The Eagles rookie quarterback is making his first career road start and playing his first NFL prime-time game as well. Making your first road start at Soldier Field versus a defensive coordinator like Vic Fangio won’t be an easy task. Wentz has proven his confidence level is off the charts for how well he handled playing the Cleveland Browns six days before being named the Eagles starting quarterback. Wentz scored 19.22 points in standard scoring leagues. He shouldn’t be doubted heading into this matchup, especially versus a team that gave up the 25th most touchdowns in 2015.
Texans quarterback, Brock Osweiler, made his first career start (8th start overall) for the Texans this past Sunday. He threw two touchdown passes on 22 completions scoring 16.64 in standard scoring leagues. Look for Wentz to continue his solid play versus the weaker secondary of the Bears on Monday and perform well in fantasy scoring.
