Fantasy Player Projections

Matthew Stafford

When Stafford visited Chicago last year he completed just 52.4 percent of his passes, with a touchdown and four interceptions. The Bears are averaging 2.6 interceptions per game this year. This isn't a favorable matchup for Detroit's gunslinger.

Mikel LeShoure

Chicago's outstanding pass defense should encourage more running plays from Detroit. Leshoure is the type of back who performs better the more he touches the ball, as evidenced by his three outings so far. This could be a breakout game for the second-year back.

Joique Bell

The Lions shut Jahvid Best down for the year this week, which is good news for Bell, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry Sunday (better than Mikel Leshoure's 4.6). Bell offers Detroit a good change of pace from Leshoure, and will continue to see a handful of reps each game as the Lions' primary backup.

Calvin Johnson

Johnson was MIA for the first 40 minutes of last week's win over Philadelphia, but he dominated the final quarter and finished with 135 yards. He can go off at any time, and no member of the Bears' defense can prevent that from happening.

Nate Burleson

Burleson's touchdown catch helped save Detroit last week. He has been targeted an average of 10 times over the past three weeks and is worthy of a flex spot in your lineup.

Titus Young

Too many dropped balls. Too many missed opportunities. Too much wasted talent. Young should be a bigger playmaker in Detroit's offense and a viable fantasy player -- he just isn't.

Brandon Pettigrew

Dismiss Tony Scheffler's role in last week's win; Scheffler made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on one scoring drive, but that accounted for the bulk of his yards. Pettigrew is the No. 1 tight end on this team, and his production will not be affected by Scheffler much moving forward.

Jason Hanson

Hanson has made 16 field goals in just five games, a per-game average better than any other NFL kicker boasts. The Lions should operate a more balanced attack this week, which could work in the veteran kicker's favor.

We saw a glimpse last week of the potential Detroit's front four possesses. Those men are needed to hide a secondary that too often gives up the big play.

Jay Cutler

Cutler has looked sharp of late, with big plays galore (he has averaged 9.0 yards per attempt over the past two weeks). The best news for Bears fans: Cutler has not thrown an interception in his last three meetings with Detroit.

Matt Forte

Forte is the great Lion killer. He has gained 100 or more yards from scrimmage in six of eight career meetings with Detroit and scored touchdowns in each of the other two contests. In those eight games he's found the end zone seven times.

Michael Bush

Matt Forte touched the football four times as often as Bush in the Bears' last contest. That's a formula fantasy owners can expect most weeks, as Forte is the better all-around back of the two. Bush is good for cleanup and the occasional goal-line carry, but not consistent touches.

Brandon Marshall

The last two games have made Marshall. It's clear he and Jay Cutler are operating on the same wavelength, and Marshall ranks among the league leaders in targets per game with 11.2. The Lions' defense has allowed an opposing receiver to gain 100 or more yards in two of the past three games (Jeremy Maclin and Nate Washington).

Earl Bennett

Bennett is expected to assume the team's No. 2 role as Alshon Jeffery recovers from a hand injury. Bennett has been bothered by a hand injury of his own but claimed he was ready for Week 7, and should see plenty of action playing opposite Brandon Marshall.

Kellen Davis

Aside from the Dallas game, Davis has been a non-factor for Chicago, notching a couple of catches for minimal yardage in most weeks. The Lions were beaten by Jared Cook and Vernon Davis in games earlier this season, but Davis is not of that caliber.

Robbie Gould

Gould is steady, there's no better way to put it. He has scored 10 or more points in four of five games this year, and he has made all 10 of his field goal opportunities. These two teams combined for 87 points in two games last year; there should be enough points for Gould's fantasy owners to remain happy this week.

Chicago ranks first in points allowed and third in yards allowed. The Bears have collected 17 turnovers in five weeks, and rank among the top 10 in sack production. Fantasy owners can win games with this defense.