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I love Zac Stacy and I don’t care who knows it.
My call of the year, my Twitter avatar, and whether he knows it or not, my best friend, Stacy has been a fantasy darling since taking over the starting job. Seeing all the work, Stacy figured to be a terrific play in Week 12 against a Bears defense that is allowing more rushing yards than anyone in football not named Jacksonville.
Would Stacy continue to dominate?
St. Louis Rams, 27 vs Chicago Bears, 21
Rams
Did I mention I love Zac Stacy? A dream matchup against the Bears had me giddy, and Stacy didn’t disappoint. His first carry of the game went for 11 yards, and the rookie out of Vanderbilt finished with 12 carries for 87 yards and a score. His inevitable monster game was short lived, as Stacy left the game early with a head injury and did not return. I’m very, very sad while writing this, but he’s tough. It was Stacy’s sixth-straight game with double-digit fantasy points, and as long as he is okay, he’s a weekly top-15 fantasy option. In his absence, it was Benny Cunningham that saw the work, and he ran pretty well, carrying the ball 13 times for 109 yards and a score. Sophomore Isaiah Pead hardly saw any action, while Daryl Richardson was a healthy scratch. This backfield is Stacy’s, however, as long as he’s out there.
Oh, Tavon Austin rushed for a 65-yard score as well. Again, it was a game where Austin touched the ball just three times, but made the most of his opportunity. Boom or bust doesn’t describe someone more than Austin. Tight end Jared Cook also hauled in a touchdown, which means he won’t score again until Week 1… of next season.
Bears
In place of Jay Cutler, backup Josh McCown continues to be a serviceable fantasy option for those who need him. McCown had to pass a lot in this one, but managed to throw for 352 yards and two touchdowns. McCown was making plays to keep his team in it, but the Bears defense continues to be absolutely atrocious. If Cutler can’t go the rest of the season, McCown will be a streaming masterpiece, as he gets Vikings, Cowboys, Eagles and Packers secondaries. He certainly has the weapons to succeed for fantasy owners. His touchdown passes went to Brandon Marshall (duh) who eclipsed 100 yards for the third time in his last four games. Martellus Bennett also scored, despite the difficult matchup.
At running back, Matt Forte owners were probably furious. Not that he was bad, because he wasn’t. Forte averaged almost five yards a carry, but he fumbled once, was hurt for a spell, and then when he came back, had a receiving score called back. Then, Michael Bush ineffectively vultured a rushing touchdown. As long as his injury doesn’t suffer a setback, he’s a top-five back the rest of the way.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
