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The Week 7 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers features two struggling division rivals looking to get back on track. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Chicago Bears
After posting back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, Jordan Howard was held in check by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. He finished the afternoon with just 34 yards despite the fact he carried the ball 15 times. That’s an average of just 2.3 yards per carry. Posting that kind of effort against the Green Bay Packers, one of the best run defenses in the NFL, simply won’t cut it. Despite the low yardage total, Howard did save his fantasy day by scoring a touchdown in the game. Teammate Jeremy Langford still isn’t practicing at the moment. Even if he was, Howard has likely done enough to keep the No. 1 job in the backfield. Week 7 represents a tough matchup and it will be difficult for Howard to hit his projected totals. Still, he must be in your lineup, particularly in deeper leagues.
Another must-start player in deep leagues and PPR formats is wide receiver Cameron Meredith. The emphasis here is on PPR formats. After spending the first two weeks of the season on the sidelines and the two weeks after that catching just six total passes, Meredith has arrived on the fantasy football scene with a bang. In just the last two games, he’s been targeted 27 times, catching 20 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown. The production comes thanks to teammate Kevin White being placed on injured reserve with a leg injury. As good as the Packers are against the run, they are equally bad against the pass. Quarterback Brian Hoyer should be peppering Meredith with more looks in Week 7.
Green Bay Packers
Over the last two weeks quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown as many interceptions as he has touchdowns. He himself admits that his play has been a little bit off this season. That’s not something fantasy owners are used to hearing. He’s has been an MVP-caliber player for a long time now. He will have the chance to get his season on the right track in Week 7. The Bears are only slightly better than mediocre at defending opposing fantasy quarterbacks. Heading into the game there will be added incentive for Rodgers to do well. He will be without running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks thanks to injuries. Ty Montgomery and the newly acquired rusher Knile Davis will likely take a backseat to the passing game this time around.
Rodgers’ likely approach against Chicago — pass early and often — should stand to benefit wide receiver Jordy Nelson greatly. Nelson managed to gain just 68 yards on five catches against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. It wasn’t his fault given Rodgers had a tough day. That said, Nelson has just a single 100-yard receiving game this season. Fantasy owners were probably hoping for a little more than that as the halfway point of the season approaches. Week 7 presents an opportunity to make some hay for those patient owners. Look for Nelson to play big on Thursday Night Football.