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Welcome back fellow RotoBallers to the Week 7 finale, and our Monday Night Football matchups analysis article! It's been another wild week of NFL and fantasy football action filled with big performances, new players emerging, and injuries. Hopefully, you're on the verge of winning your matchups (or already have).
Now we get one more game on Monday night to finish it off. Below you will find our matchups analysis for the Monday Night Football game between the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears Hopefully, it will be an exciting game that adds to a week filled with plenty of booms, busts, and injuries.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 7 matchups. Good luck RotoBallers!
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Chicago Bears at New England Patriots - 8:15 pm ET
Spread: Patriots -8.0
Implied Total: Bears (16) vs. Patriots (24)
Pace: Bears (23rd) vs. Patriots (31st)
Bears Off. DVOA: -24.6% Pass (31st), -10.1% Rush (22nd)
Patriots Off. DVOA: 8.8% Pass (18th), 1.3% Rush (14th)
Bears Def. DVOA: 6.1% Pass (14th), 3.0% Rush (27th)
Patriots Def. DVOA: -16.8% Pass (6th), 1.7% Rush (26th)
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Monday Night
Matchups We Love:
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE)
The Patriots pounded the Browns from start to finish, and next up is the lowly Bears. Stevenson accounted for 19 of the 24 (79.1%) running back carries for 76 yards and two scores, adding four catches for 15 yards. Chicago presents another opportunity for him to capitalize against a soft run defense and positive game script. He's a top-15 back.
Damien Harris (RB, NE)
Harris practiced in full this week and has been cleared to play Monday night. As mentioned above, the matchup is great and the Patriots will have the opportunity to establish a lead and run the ball often. Starting Harris comes with inherent risk because this is his first game back from injury, but he's a top-36 back even with a reduced workload.
Matchups We Hate:
Justin Fields (QB, CHI)
The Falcons and Jets are the latest teams to abandon their passing game, but the Bears are the originators of this strategy. They did increase their attempts to 27, which led to 14 completions and even a passing touchdown. Fields demonstrated his athleticism and potential in a plus matchup. That optimism will not travel to New England because the Patriots have an elite secondary that is shutting down opponents. Fields is off the streaming radar this week.
Patriots WRs
Thanks to an increased number of completions and attempts, Darnell Mooney had 12 targets finishing with 7 catches for 68 yards. Although it was Dante Pettis who stole the show on a 40-yard touchdown grab he took the house. Unfortunately, New England presents a much greater challenge, crushing the excitement for any of them this week. Mooney is a desperation flex play with a low floor.
Other Matchups:
David Montgomery (RB, CHI)
Montgomery and Khalil Herbert are becoming one of many timeshares in the NFL. It's clear Montgomery is still the starter, but the coaches keep praising Herbert, stating they want him more involved. The matchup is actually alright for running backs but the game script is likely to force Montgomery off the field, making it difficult to trust the workload for either back. With fewer players available this week, Montgomery is in the top 36 but expectations need to be held in check.
Khalil Herbert (RB, CHI)
Herbert has looked good when he gets the work but he continues to operate behind Montgomery on a low-scoring offense. Herbert would be a desperation flex play in a decent matchup as the backup.
Patriots Wide Receivers
Tyquan Thornton made his mark in his second NFL game, finding the end zone on the ground and through the air. He's rapidly moving up the depth chart, playing the third most snaps, as a starter behind Jakobi Meyers and DeVante Parker. Chicago is easier to run on than pass against, so their volume could be reduced, especially with Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith stealing targets. Meyers remains the preferred option as a top-36 receiver, while Parker and Thornton are flex considerations.
UPDATE: Kendrick Bourne has been ruled out while Nelson Agholor is questionable to play.
Key Injuries:
Mac Jones (ankle)
Ty Montgomery (ankle)
Damien Harris (hamstring)
Nelson Agholor (hamstring)
UPDATE: Mac Jones will get be active and get the start on Monday.
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