Regardless of what your record might be, every fantasy manager deserves praise for making it through the most turbulent and uncertain NFL season in recent memory (perhaps ever). The testament to pushing through like this is an indication of how much fantasy football means to so many people. It’s easy to take this game for granted when there are no hiccups or delayed games. However, this year was not normal by any stretch, which includes the NFL season.
With that said, the final fight for fantasy glory is here with fantasy playoffs starting next week. As always, understanding potential breakout candidates is crucial more so now than ever.
Diving head-first, we will examine my Week 13 Bold Predictions.
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Week 13 Bold Predictions
Bryan Edwards (WR – LV) scores his first career touchdown.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Edwards this offseason. Many speculated that he would step into the alpha WR role from day one and produce at a seemingly high-level as a rookie. However, many were left disappointed so far as Edwards has failed to live up to expectations. He missed a large chunk of the season due to injury and has not found his groove in the offense since returning. However, this all changes in Week 13 when Edwards capitalizes on his limited workload and comes away with a touchdown. Edwards should not be started in fantasy lineups this week, but those who have been waiting for something from Edwards, especially in dynasty leagues, could find themselves celebrating after an Edwards breakout performance.
Chris Carson (RB – SEA) rushes for 100 yards for the first time all season.
Carson’s season has been injured plagued, but the tough-nosed RB has bounced back and proven that he is among the hardest working running backs in the league. When healthy, Carson has produced at a high-level, with the ability to put up RB1 numbers in any given matchup due to his dynamic style of play and the Seahawks offensive scheme. However, Carson has yet to top the century mark this season, in part due to missing time with an injury. Carson will handle the bulk of the snaps in the backfield once again, rushing for over 100 yards and finishing as an RB1 this week. Carson is a locked-in starter with upside against a struggling New York Giants defense.
Raheem Mostert (RB – SF) rushed for 100 yards for the first time all season.
Mostert was in line for a monster season as the featured running back in the Niners run-happy offense. However, two separate long-term injuries forced Mostert to miss the majority of the season. When Mostert is healthy, however, he is among the league’s most electric and efficient ball carrier. The 49ers like to sprinkle a variety of backs into the mix, but make no mistake, Mostert is San Francisco’s lead back. Despite several double-digit fantasy performances this season, Mostert has yet to go over 100 yards on the ground, despite coming less than 10 yards to that mark twice this season. Mostert is a must-start RB2 in Week 13 with tremendous upside against a Buffalo Bills defense that has been hammered by the run all season.
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA) brings in five or more receptions for over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.
After exploding for over 50 fantasy points and 200 yards off 15 receptions and three touchdowns, Lockett has been somewhat quiet as of late. He has not reached 100 yards receiving one time since his massive Week 7 performance. He has reached 20+ fantasy points only one time. However, will get back to his WR1 ways this week when he tops the century mark off five-plus targets in a favorable Week 13 matchup.
Damien Harris (RB – NE) tops 17+ fantasy points.
Damien Harris has shown his ability to serve as the workhorse running back for the New England Patriots. Three times this season Harris has gone over 100 yards on the ground, displaying his hard running yet shifty ability as a rusher. After a 121-yard outing against Baltimore in Week 10, Harris had back-to-back games of under 50 yards on the ground. This changes in Week 13 for Harris when Harris goes over 17 fantasy points for the first time all season. Although the Patriots’ backfield can be a headache at times, Harris has showcased that he is the most skilled ball carrier in the backfield and show be featured at a higher rate if New England wants to come away with a victory.
Brandin Cooks (WR – HOU) goes over 20 fantasy points.
Following the suspension to WR1 Will Fuller, Cooks is poised to take on a large chunk of the target share left behind by Fuller. Although the matchup is not the easiest, Cooks should be featured early and often for the Deshaun Watson-led passing attack. Trust Cooks this week and starts him with confidence as a low-end WR2 with WR1 upside this week and the rest of the season. Cooks has proven capable of being peppered with targets, a trend that must continue if the Texans want to remain competitive. Despite a solid season from Cooks, he has not topped 20 fantasy points since Week 6 and has not gone over 100-yards receiving since Week 5. Both of these facts will change in Week 13 when Cooks finishes with both 100 or more yards and 20+ fantasy points.
Mike Williams (WR – LAC) goes over 100 receiving yards.
The big-body, big-play receiver Mike Williams is the epitome of a boom or bust option in fantasy. It’s hard to predict when he will go off for 20+ fantasy points or leave managers with a dud in their lineup. However, with Keenan Allen presumably getting the majority of the defensive attention, Williams could be a sneaky flex option in Week 13. Understanding the polarity of Williams’ fantasy performances throughout his career must be accounted for before placing him into your lineup. If you need the home run option, Williams could fill that gap.
Noah Fant (TE – DEN) is a top-five tight end in Week 13.
Noah Fant had a ridiculous start to his sophomore season, but was quickly derailed by injuries and has been unable to get back to the level he was playing at to begin the season. Fant has failed to reach 10 or more fantasy points in every game except one since Week 3. Much of the blame for Fant’s downswing cannot be placed on him. Aside from the nagging injuries, the quarterback situation in Denver has not been ideal all season, including inconsistence quarterback play and injuries to Drew Lock, capped off with every member of the QB room missing Week 12 due to COVID-19 protocol, which resulted in practice squad wide-receiver-turner-quarter-back Kendall Hinton helming the offense. Despite these hurdles, Fant remains one of the most talented TEs in the league and should be trusted once again in Week 13. Look for Fant to have a bounce-back performance and finish as a top-five fantasy tight end this week.
Conclusion
You play to win the game. A simple phrase that is often overlooked. Do not sell yourself and your team short because you don’t think you have what it takes to make a push.
If you are out of playoff contention, finishing out the season strong is satisfying.
Pushing towards your goal of that fantasy championship glory is in your reach, finish strong.
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Joshua Lefkowitz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joshua, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JLefkoNFL.