Packers fantasy football outlook: Scoop up Green Bay’s D/ST on waiver wire

This game looked like it could have been so fun back when the Chicago Bears were 5-1.

Well, things have changed. The Bears could only ride the Nick Foles magic so far and have plummeted to a 5-5 record.

Their defense has remained solid, holding a talented Minnesota Vikings offense to 19 points at last check, but the offense is an absolute train wreck. As a result, Chicago’s offensive skill players are extremely limited in fantasy football.

With all that in mind, who should you start? Who should you avoid? We are here to help.

Players are graded on a 1-5 scale of football emojis, from “don’t even think about starting him” (?) to “you’re a fool if you bench this guy”(?????).

Here’s how Week 12 shakes out:

GREEN BAY PACKERS

QB Aaron Rodgers: ?????

Rodgers is playing at an MVP level and threw for three touchdowns and over 300 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears defense is fourth-best against fantasy quarterbacks, but the Colts’ is third-best in that category and Rodgers was productive against them. Keep Rodgers in your lineup.

RB Aaron Jones: ????

Jones has been serviceable in the three games he has played after missing two weeks with a calf injury, accounting for 145 rushing yards and 14 catches for 100 yards in that span. He is still the Packers’ top running back and while the production has not been fantastic, he is due for a multi-touchdown game and is certainly worth a start, especially in PPR leagues.

RB Jamaal Williams: ?

Williams has only recorded 71 total yards and one touchdown in Green Bay’s last two games. He filled in well when Jones was out but his production has fallen off. There are other running backs out there who will get more action in Week 12.

WR Davante Adams: ?????

It does not matter what defense Adams is up against, start him. He is the ultimate red zone threat, gobbles up receptions and is clearly Rodgers’ favorite target.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling/Allen Lazard: ??

Now that Lazard is back for his second game after his injury, expect him to get more involved in the offense and take away some of Valdes-Scantling’s targets. Rodgers will want to get both of these guys involved and that probably means neither of them will go off for a great performance. They combined for five catches for 73 yards against Indianapolis, which would be a fine outing for one player but not for both.

TE Robert Tonyan: ????

After putting up four catches for 38 yards against the 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tonyan bounced back against the Colts. He reeled in five receptions for 44 yards and a score on Sunday and could have more opportunities against Chicago’s defense that is 11^th-worst against tight ends.

Packers D/ST: ?????

If there is any week to start the Packers D/ST, this is the week. The Bears offense is absolutely putrid, averaging just 300.9 yards per game, which is only ahead of… the New York Jets. The JETS! Chicago has scored 19.1 points per game, also only ahead of the Jets. The Packers defense certainly has its flaws but the Bears can’t take advantage of any of them.

CHICAGO BEARS

QB Nick Foles/Mitch Trubisky: ?

Are you tanking in your fantasy league? Do you enjoy losing? If either of those are true, then start Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky against the Packers. It will be so much fun! In a current NFL that has so many good quarterbacks, or at least QBs who can put up good stats, there are better options than these two. If you read this far down the article, then I’d hope you know that by now.

RB David Montgomery: ?

Montgomery is a profoundly unspectacular running back. He averages 3.6 yards per carry and has only scored two touchdowns this whole season. Yeah, the Packers rush defense gives up the third-most points to running backs, but in all likelihood Chicago will be trailing late and he will get less action. He should really only be an option if your team has injuries or byes in the RB spot.

WR Allen Robinson: ???

Robinson is the lone bright spot on the Bears’ offense, and if you have injuries or byes ravaging your WR group, Robinson can step in and get points. He’s averaged about 6.3 catches and 75.5 yards per game this season, making him more valuable in PPR leagues.

Bears D/ST: ????

If there is one reason why the Bears are 5-5, it’s their defense. Chicago has forced 11 turnovers and has given up an average of 340.1 yards per game, which is ninth in the NFL. Plus Cordarrelle Patterson gives it the threat of a kickoff return. Green Bay’s offense will most likely fare better than the average offense it plays, but the Bears D/ST should still be able to score some fantasy points on Sunday.