How to Cash in On Bears and Cardinals

Justin Fields' star seems to be fading in Chicago at the same time his fantasy football followers are vaulting him to very top.

In an interview he did with WGN's Kaitlin Sharkey, Fields sounded almost resigned to the fact he might be done in Chicago.

"Wherever I end up, you know, whether it's here or somebody else next year, just know that I've given it my all," were Fields' words to his fans in Chicago.

When Fields is such a highly ranked fantasy asset for owners, it sometimes confuses people why the Bears would give up on him.

Really appreciated a thoughtful, reflective, & candid conversation today with #Bears QB Justin Fields as he enters, what could be, his final three games in a Bears uniform.

Our entire conversation airs tonight at 10:30 on @GNSportsTV @WGNNews @WGNTV pic.twitter.com/IODLbLyBfA
— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) December 21, 2023

There is no sign from the Bears they actually have decided to move on, and if they had then they might start Tyson Bagent in one of the last few games in order to preserve Fields' health for trade purposes.

Either way, the fantasy owners have no problem with him because of his run/pass ability.

In fact, Michael Fabiano of SI.com fantasy has moved Fields all the way up the charts this week to No. 3 overall fantasy QB.

The opponent is the reason. Arizona just gave up 45 points to the San Francisco 49ers and the Bears will be trying to get their running attack going this week, which should include Fields on planned runs or scrambles against a team giving up almost 150 yards a game on the ground in the last eight.

The schedule makers seem to have gifted fantasy owners this for Christmas. If Fields fails this week the way he did last week (19 of 40, 166 yards, one TD, two INT, 30 rushing yards, two fumbles) then even the fantasy crowd might start giving up on him as the Cardinals defense leaves much to be desired.

Here are the BearDigest fantasy plays from and top NFL bets for this holiday weekend.

Start 'Em

1. Bears QB Justin Fields

There is every reason to expect Fields to have a good game, especially with the opponent. The home field on a holiday is always very valuable, particularly when one of the teams is having a tough year like the Cardinals are. The Bears are too, but not to that extent. Don't expect numbers out of this world, howwever. The Cardinals held Lamar Jackson to 157 yards passing and 17 yards rushing when they lost in Week 8 31-24, limited Desmond Ridder/Taylor Heinicke to 94 yards passing and 45 rushing in a 25-23 win and Mitchell Trubisky and held Mitchell Trubisky/Kenny Pickett to 187 yards passing and 8 rushing in a 23-10 win. Still, they've been awful on defense by and large and Fields should be able to make a mark here. The Cardinals have given up 29 TD passes, which ranks 29th in the league and affords Fields a chance at some big plays.

2. Bears WR DJ Moore

Moore is a week removed from the ankle injury and practiced all this week. The Bears were quick to point out how they saw a lot of the same disguised coverages from the Cardinals on film that they saw from their recent division opponents. That was Detroit and Minnesota. Moore just got done catching 11 for 114 against Minnesota and in two games 13 for 164 against Detroit. He should be able to inflct damage. Moore needs one TD catch for a personal high of eight in a season and considering how the Cardinals have given up more TD passes than all but three other teams (26).

3. Bears WR Darnell Mooney

Believe it or not, after dropping the Hail Mary pass last week Mooney becomes a player who could make big yards in this one. The Cardinals defense has shown an ability to limit main receivers but they are always burned then by some other receiver. An example: Rookie Tank Dell caught eight passes for 149 yards against the Cardinals for Houston. Look for Moore to have a pretty good game but Mooney to break out with some big plays in this one and he could benefit the fantasy owner willing to take a risk and play him.

4. Cardinals TE Trey McBride

After what David Njoku did to the Bears secondary (10 catches, 104 yards, TD), McBride could be someone who lights it up. They have to throw it to someone and Marquise Brown, the leading Cardinals wide receiver, has been ruled out with a heel injury. McBride has 66 catches and went over 100 yards last week against the 49ers. Of their pass attempts, 34% go to tight ends so McBride will have a chance to

5. Cardinals RB James Conner

Conner is having an outstanding season even with the Cardinals struggling, as he's averaging 5.0 yards a carry. They are not quick to give up on the run, the way many of the teams the Bears have faced recently have. Cleveland, Detroit and Minnesota all gave up on it to some extent, although the Lions used it well when they were home in November against the Bears' top-ranked run defense. A surprising stat on Conner is he has averaged only 2.3 yards on pass catches and has 17 of them. He has always been a multipurpose back and averaged as much as 10.1 yards per catch in 2021, which is high for a running back. Considering the way the Bears lean on zone coverage, the Cardinals could be throwing it quite often to him underneath or on screens, hoping to gain on yards after the catch.

6. Bears RB Khalil Herbert

It's been since Oct. 5 that Herbert gained more than 35 yards rushing in a game and he's overdue and should be well over the ankle injury at this point. The Bears could use him as a receiver as well as a runner. He showed last week again that he has some weaknesses to improve as a blocker in the backfield. Facing a team so weak off the edges and against the run affords him opportunities to generate fantasy points again.

Sit 'Em

1. Bears RB D'Onta Foreman

Foreman has had only one strong game since Nov. 9 and is overdue but seems past the point where a knee injury was bothering him. However, he had absences at practice for personal reasons this week and the effect of this is uncertain.

2. Bears TE Cole Kmet

Whenver the Bears go heavy with running game, they alter Kmet's role to be more blocking-oriented. It would seem his duty will be more along the lines of an extra tackle if they lean heavily on the running game.

3. Cardinals WR Michael Wilson

He returned to the active roster last week and didn't have a catch on three targets. They should get him more involved this week due to Marquise Brown's absence, but he hasn't had more than four receptions in a game since Oct. 1 and that was the only game he did it.

4. Cardinals WR Rondale Moore

The small, quick slot receiver could be a problem with end-arounds or the receiver screen game, but he's only been targeted more than three times once in his last seven games.

Defense

The Bears defense has allowed 13, 13, 12 and 12 points in their last four games at Soldier Field since they blew a big lead against Denver. Considering the Cardinals' struggles in the passing game and at staying ahead of the sticks, Chicago would be a good choice for a team defense this week. One of those four efforts was a 19-13 loss but the defense gave up only 12 points in the game with the other touchdown coming against Minnesota on a Vikings return.

In IDP leagues there are not many hotter players on defense in the league than Montez Sweat, who still has a good shot at a Pro Bowl berth and was fourth in fan balloting at last count at his position. It's also hard to go against Jaylon Johnson and Tremaine Edmunds with both so hot now with interceptions. But Murray is an accurate thrower who doesn't give defenses as many opportunities with deflected throws for INTs.

The Betting Window

It had to happen sooner or later, and for that I'm blaming Tommy DeVito's concussion. The Giants QB went out and their chances of beating the Saints vanished in a blowout loss. As a result, and also because Jordan Love is fading rapidly along with the Packers defense, as well as the miraculous effort of Seattle backup Drew Locke, the top plays suffered their first losing record after six straight weeks without going sub-.500. The record over the last seven weeks in best bets is now 23-11-1 after a 2-3 week.

The Line: Bears by 4 (Over/under 43)

BearDigest Pick: Bears 33, Cardinals 23

BearDigest Record: 8-6 overall, 5-8-1 ATS, 7-7 over/under)

NFL Best Bets

2023 Record: 35-23-2

Week 15 Record: 2-3

Week 16 Top Plays

Ravens at 49ers under 47

Jaguars +2 1/2 at Buccaneers

Jets -3 vs. Commanders

Falcons -2 1/2 vs. Colts

Broncos -7 vs. Patriots

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven