Bears vs. Jets: Stat Predictions for Top Fantasy Stars

A fun week in fantasy football is finally giving way to Monday Night Football to decide several matchups across the country. Will it be a dream scenario for owners or a Monday nightmare that ends in a painful loss?

There are myriad fantasy stars featured in the matchup between the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, but health might become an issue. Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Eric Decker are all listed as questionable for the prime-time game, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

Owners concerned about the Bears receiving duo should still start both players, as Dan Wiederer of The Chicago Tribune notes both should play:

Expect to see huge numbers from both, along with Jay Cutler, against the Jets. Unfortunately, the running game might be a different story for the Bears against a stout rush defense.

In anticipation of the showdown, here's a look at fantasy projections and a breakdown of some of the biggest fantasy stars on Monday Night Football.

Player	Team	Fantasy Projections
Jay Cutler	Bears	See Below
Matt Forte	Bears	60 rush yards; 3 receptions, 30 rec. yards (9 points)
Brandon Marshall	Bears	See Below
Alshon Jeffery	Bears	8 receptions, 70 yards, rec. TD (13 points)
Martellus Bennett	Bears	4 receptions, 50 yards, rec. TD (11 points)
Geno Smith	Jets	225 pass yards, two pass TDs, one INT, 40 rush yards (19 points)
Chris Ivory	Jets	See Below
Chris Johnson	Jets	40 rushing yards; 2 receptions, 20 rec. yards (6 points)
Eric Decker	Jets	5 receptions, 60 yards, rec. TD (12 points)
Jeremy Kerley	Jets	3 receptions, 40 yards (4 points)

Jay Cutler

One week after a massive performance for fantasy owners against the San Francisco 49ers, expect another one from Cutler against the Jets.

Cutler has carried some fantasy teams thus far, slowly earning the trust of owners, with six passing touchdowns through just two games. One believer is Michael Fabiano of NFL.com, who listed the Bears quarterback under the "Start 'Em" category this week:

"

I had the Cutler call wrong last week, so let's hope for a little retribution! This week he faces the Jets, who have given up an average of over 21 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2014. Here's another reason to like Cutler ... he has thrown for at least two touchdown passes (nine total) in three of his last four road contests against AFC competition.

"

In terms of actual statistics, the Jets passing defense has been porous thus far. Rex Ryan's team gives up just 221.5 yards per game but has allowed five touchdowns and has yet to come away with an interception.

Equipped with a tremendous tandem of Marshall and Jeffery, along with tight end Martellus Bennett, Cutler will pick apart New York's defense. Look for him to move the ball down the field and make a difference in the red zone for owners who started him.

Cutler prediction: 325 passing yards, three passing touchdowns (25 points)

Chris Ivory

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Through two weeks in the 2014 season, Chris Ivory has been a surprisingly consistent option for owners. He's still fighting for touches with Chris Johnson, but he has put up good point totals on the young season.

Johnson registered one receiving touchdown in Week 1, but Ivory has been a staple in the end zone. He has outrushed Johnson in both games, running for a total of 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Chicago has given up two rushing touchdowns this season and allowed a total of 25.80 fantasy points to the Buffalo Bills running backs in Week 1. Needless to say, the opportunity is great for Ivory to shine on the Monday Night Football stage.

Ivory still isn't a reliable RB2 option, but he will make owners happy in a flex position. He's still not going to carry any teams to glory, but Ivory will produce Monday and put a few owners over the top.

Ivory prediction: 55 rushing yards, one touchdown (11.5 points)

Brandon Marshall

It goes without saying, but Marshall might just catch a few footballs Monday night.

The ninth-year receiver didn't come away with a huge quantity of receptions in Week 2 but made them count for his owners. Marshall registered five catches for 48 yards and a staggering three touchdowns against the 49ers.

Since his arrival in Chicago, he's been a touchdown machine, as the Bears' official Twitter account notes:

His early production should serve as a forecast of what's to come Monday night as well. New York has allowed a league-high 35.90 fantasy points to wide receivers, over five points more than the second-place Niners defense.

Dee Milliner will not dress for the game, per the Jets' Twitter account, so the task looks even more daunting for New York. Going against an offense full of weapons, Milliner's absence will be a crucial one.

Jeffery will certainly post good numbers as well, but Marshall is the most reliable target for Cutler. Marshall gets into the end zone again, helping fantasy owners and the Bears pull out a victory.

Marshall prediction: Eight receptions for 115 yards, one touchdown (17.5 points)

*Fantasy statistics courtesy of NFL.com.

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