“Often, in the real world, it’s not the smart that get ahead but the bold.”
-Robert Kiyosaki
It’s time for weekly bold predictions.
The point here is that if you follow the consensus, you’re probably going to have a good team. But in order to go from good to great, you have to take some chances. You have to do your homework and figure out where you can zig when the rest of your league (or at least your opponent this week) zags. In short, you need to know how and when to be bold.
We asked our analysts to provide a bold prediction for Week 13. Their answers and justifications are below.
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Week 13 Bold Predictions
George Pickens goes over 100 yards and 1 TD
George Pickens (21% target share) had more yardage on just 3 catches (57 yards) than Diontae Johnson in Week 12. Pickens leads the Steelers in receiving yards since Kenny Pickett became the starting QB and since the team traded away Chase Claypool.
Atlanta gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to the WR position and the league’s second-most air yards. The Dirty Birds also rank dead last in pressure rate allowing ample opportunities for Pickett to deliver splash plays to Pickens downfield.
Let’s Go.
– Andrew Erickson
Christian Kirk will finish as a top 5 WR in Week 13
When last we saw our hero El Jeffe, he was the clear number one back in the Miami offense. Coming off a bye, with more time to absorb the playbook and a juicy matchup against Houston, Wilson is poised for a big day. Oh, did I mention his last performance was RB 6 in half PPR?? Well, I just did!
– Joe Pisapia
Kyren Williams will be a low-end RB1 this week
Cam Akers could miss this week’s game, but Williams is the lead back here, even if he is active. Last week he played 70% of the snaps with 14 touches and 60 total yards. He only saw three targets but logged a 70% route run rate which is elite. Williams’ 2.84 yards after contact per attempt and 54.7 PFF elusive rating are solid but not spectacular. Seattle can be run on. Since Week 7, they are third in rushing success rate but 22nd in rushing yards per game and 20th in explosive run rate. They remain dreadful against receiving backs ranking 32nd in DVOA with the sixth-most receptions and second-highest yards per reception allowed. If Bryce Perkins feeds Williams check-downs and he gets in the end zone once the path is set for a blow-up game.
– Derek Brown
Mike Evans will finish out of the top 40 in WR fantasy scoring
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore is Mike Evans’ kryptonite. Lattimore is returning from a lacerated kidney just in time to face Evans, who was suspended for a game after decking Lattimore in a Week 2 dust-up. Evans has caught two or fewer passes in 6-of-11 career games against Lattimore, averaging 2.6 receptions, 44.8 yards and 0.4 touchdowns in those head-to-head matchups. Evans has been on a downward trajectory of late. He’s gone seven straight games without a touchdown and has been under 55 yards in each of his last three contests. With the Buccaneers’ best offensive lineman, Tristan Wirfs, out with a high-ankle sprain, Bucs QB Tom Brady might not get the time he needs to find Evans downfield. (Evans’ average depth of target this season is 12.8 yards.) All signs point to a down week for Evans.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
Amari Cooper has 150 yards and two touchdowns
With 792 yards and seven touchdowns receiving on 93 targets, Cooper’s on pace for a career-best campaign, but, yeah, the Cowboys were definitely right to get rid of him, not that I’m bitter or anything. With the Week 13 return of QB Deshaun Watson, Cooper will now have the best quarterback of his career – who just happens to be in a massive #RevengeGame – so Cooper could be the beneficiary of piling-it-on production, especially if he sees extra targets in the absence of No. 1 TE David Njoku (knee, out). Playing at NRG Stadium, Cooper is on the beneficial side of his notable indoor/outdoor career splits (10.2 yards per target indoors, 7.8 outdoors). And the Texans are No. 31 in defensive pass DVOA against No. 1 wide receivers (25.8%) and could be without No. 1 CB Derek Stingley (hamstring), who has missed the past two weeks. This is an eruption spot.
– Matthew Freedman
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