Week 3 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Why You Must Start Bears RB Matt Forte Against Packers
Published by Zach Kruse on September 23, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Are you thinking about sitting Chicago Bears‘ running back Matt Forte on your fantasy football bench in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers‘ No. 6 rushing defense?
Don’t even ponder that thought. Forte is absolutely a must-start this week.
While the Packers have been good against the run to start the season—allowing 78 yards to running backs against the Saints in Week 1 and just 18 to studs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart last Sunday—the Packers have been horrific in covering running backs out of the backfield.
Take some of these numbers into account.
The Packers have given up 851 yards to quarterbacks in their first two weeks (Drew Brees, 419; Cam Newton, 432) and 235 of those yards have come from running backs who have caught the ball out of the backfield.
Darren Sproles (seven catches, 75 yards) and Pierre Thomas (four for 37) combined for 112 yards, while Stewart (eight for 100) and Williams (four for 23) put together a 123-yard performance.
Do you think the Bears haven’t seen that film?
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz must be salivating as he watches the Packers’ defense try to cover backs in the first two weeks, especially with how effective Forte has been as a receiver to start this season.
Forte is far-and-away the Bears top receiver this season, as he’s caught 15 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown on 20 targets. Chicago’s next top receiver is Johnny Knox, who has five catches for 105 yards. Devin Hester is second in targets with 14.
Against the Falcons in Week 1, Forte took a screen pass for 56 yards and a touchdown. A week later, Forte caught 10 passes for 117 yards in their loss to the Saints. Either way, he’s been effective.
When you consider the Packers problems in covering backs, you can see the potential for Forte to have another big receiving day on Sunday. Even in year’s past, Forte has hurt the Packers as a receiver.
So, while Forte might not crack 100 yards rushing when he faces the Packers, he’s still a guy that needs to be your No. 1 running back come Sunday. Anything he doesn’t get on the ground, he’ll make up through the air.
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