By Alan Squatrito
The Miami Dolphins host the Chicago Bears on Thursday for what will be the second Thursday night game of the NFL season. The Dolphins will be looking to get their second home win of the season but without Chad Henne or Chad Pennington. Chad Pennington was seen in pregame warm-ups bobbing and weaving to Eminem’s Lose Yourself, getting pumped for his first start since 2009. His opportunity to start and take over for the Dolphins Qb position didn’t last too long as he lost himself to i.r. early in the first quarter of the game vs. the Titans on Sunday. Chad Henne came in and filled and played fairly well but then was also knocked out of the game with a serious knee injury. Former Kansas City Chief Tyler Thigpen came in and finished out the game throwing for a touchdown on six passing attempts in the fourth quarter. While he is still young and inexperienced at 26 years old, he has some ability and can make plays. He was scrambling around and played fairly well against the Titans. Chad Henne has been listed as doubtful after missing practice on Wednesday so Thigpen will get the start.
Jay Cutler has been playing better of late and his quarterback rating has been on the rise as he has been moving around the pocket a lot better and even scrambling for first down runs in the Mike Martz offense. The Bears defense is starting to gel as they are only giving up 16.2 points per game and are tied for second place with 14 interceptions on the year. They are also ranked fourth in the league for most forced fumbles with 14 and I don’t think this stat is going to change for the worse comes Thursday against the Dolphins. With Dolphins Tackle Jake Long also suffering from a shoulder injury, I can’t picture Tyler Thigpen doing enough in all four quarters to pull out a win. Devin Hester is questionable with an ankle injury but Is still expected to play. I think Greg Olsen is going to have a big fantasy day Cutler has started to look his way especially around the endzone. I also think Earl Bennett should be a solid flex start, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Devin Aromashodu was taken out of the doghouse for a few key plays. Start Matt Forte with confidence, I like him as a number two running back this week. Anthony Fasano is Tyler Thigpen’s favorite target this week as most quarterbacks coming back into playing form seem to target their tight ends a lot more. I am not sold on Davone Bess this weekend but I do think Brandon Marshall will have a good fantasy day after struggling of late. He is frustrated and he is also very due to produce. I see the Bears winning this one 27-17.
Editors Note: Steve D likes Miami 23-20
Sit Jay Cutler (230 1 TD 2 Int’s)
Sit Matt Forte (decent flex in ppr)
Start Johnny Knox
Start Greg Olsen
Sit Hester
Start Ronnie Brown (Flex)
Start Bess and Brandon Marshall
Start Fasano
Sit Ricky Williams
Tune into Blogtalkradio.com/FantasySavvy after the game at 12:00 am (listen anytime on demand or D/L to Itunes)
Fantasy Savvy 