Josh Bellamy

Bears start Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani at wide receiver

The Chicago Bears are starting Josh Bellamy and Marc Mariani at wide receiver in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.

What It Means:

With Zach Miller (toe) inactive, they're starting Rob Housler at tight end. The Bears have been decimated at wideout this season, losing Marquess Wilson, Alshon Jeffery, and Kevin White to year-ending injuries, and Eddie Royal to an illness and a knee injury that hampered him throughout the year.

Mariani is likely to be the better option per our algorithms, with a projected 2.37 catches for 33.92 receiving yards and 0.31 touchdowns, to Bellamy's 3.04 catches for 33.39 yards and 0.21 touchdowns. That said, both are outside our top-40 at wide receiver, and the majority of the passing work should go to the Bears' running backs.