The Chicago Bears are making the trip out east to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday for a huge Week 13 matchup. While the Bears are 8-3 and have a chance to win the NFC North, their fantasy football assets are a frustrating one to figure out.
While the wide receiver room is far from settled, the Bears' running back room is the most pressing issue to address for Week 13. Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift are in a split backfield, and heading into the Eagles matchup, there's not a lot of clarity.
For fantasy managers, the decision to start one over the other has never been harder than it is now. There's a case to be made for both to be in lineups, even facing a tough Eagles defense. But there's no safe option, as they both carry huge risks.
Kyle Monangai vs. D'Andre Swift: Which Bears RB should fantasy managers start?
Ben Johnson previously alluded to the Bears riding the hot hand with both Swift and Monangai active. In the games since this decision was made, starting in Week 10, the Bears' backfield has been a strange split.
Monangai has 8.8, 10.7, and 10.8 fantasy points in full PPR leagues since Week 10, while Swift has had 14.8, 9.0, and 1.9 points in the same time period.
Neither has taken full control of this backfield, as they've split their usage the last few weeks. Monangai has been trending up, as Jacob Gibbs of Fantasy Football Today shared, but for now, Swift might still be in line for more work this week.
But, while Swift might still be the lead back at the start of the game, a fumble could easily plant him on the bench as it did in Week 12.
That's not the only reason to be concerned about Swift, as based on the touchdown scores of the last three weeks, Monangai has seemingly earned the goal-line touches.
In an offense like the Bears, the goal line work is a big deal. Monangai has solid fantasy potential thanks to his touchdown odds, but Swift will still likely get his fair share of work against the Eagles.
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Swift is a risky play as well. Coming off a 1.9 point performance, Swift no longer has the safe role that was expected for him this season. In a split backfield and likely without the goal-line work, Swift's upside takes a big hit.
The Eagles are ranked 16th in points allowed to running backs this season, and the Bears' backfield should be able to get some run on the defense. The only issue is that this running back room is far from a clear-cut one.
Swift and Monangai have been splitting the workload lately. With the uncertainty in this backfield, if fantasy managers have better options, both Swift and Monangai can be benched.
However, if needed, both could be in lineups this week. But for fantasy managers with both, for now, Swift is the better play as he's more likely to have a decent day even without a touchdown.
While Monangai is taking on more of the backfield as the season progresses, Swift's involvement in the passing game likely makes him the better start in Week 13 against the Eagles.
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