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 12. Their answers and justifications are below.

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Fantasy Football Week 12 Bold Predictions

What is one bold fantasy prediction (player related) for the upcoming week and why could it happen?

“Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt are top-20 running backs in Week 12. The Cleveland Browns have a limited passing attack with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, which will force the team to lean on their running game. Thankfully, the Denver Broncos have the worst run defense in the NFL. They have the highest yards per rushing attempt allowed (5.48), explosive run rate surrendered (8.2%), missed forced tackle allowed per attempt (33%), and yards after contact per rushing attempt (3.31) this season (per Fantasy Points Data). After giving up 73 or more rushing yards each to Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler last week, expect Ford and Hunt to have their way with Denver’s defense.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

“Coming out of a bye, Bijan Robinson gets 25 carries and runs for 150+ yards and a touchdown against the Saints. Is projecting that sort of workload for Bijan far-fetched? Well, sure. Arthur Smith is still the Falcons’ head coach. But let’s imagine that Smith had an epiphany during Atlanta’s bye week and realized that with his team having lost three straight games and four of its last five (with three of those losses coming against teams with losing records), it’s time to change the offensive approach and fully unleash the mega-talented running back on whom the Falcons spent the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft. In the Falcons’ last game before their bye, Bijan had a season-high 22 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown, so there’s reason to hope that Smith has recognized the error of his ways. (OK, probably not, but we can dream, can’t we?)”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“The Steelers FINALLY fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada. 45 games, and the offense posted one game with 300 passing yards. Zero games with 400 yards of offense. The streak ends in Week 12 against the Bengals, who rank dead last in the NFL in explosive plays allowed per game this season. Start your Steelers in a statement game from this offense after the firing of their OC.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“David Njoku will finish as a Top 3 tight end in Week 12. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has clearly honed in on his lead tight end, peppering him with 15 targets. This week, the Browns face a Broncos team that has allowed the most points to opposing tight ends by a sizeable margin. It’s a recipe for success for Njoku, who is yet to finish in the Top 3 all season.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)

“QB Will Grier takes over as New England’s starting QB and breathes life into the Patriots’ offense. For whatever reason, Mac Jones is not working out for New England. It’s not all his fault; they need more explosive playmakers around him, but Mac’s confidence is shaken. Up there (at Top Gun), we have to push it-that’s our job. Since Bailey Zappe has also struggled this year, maybe Will Grier can solve the riddle on Bill Belichick’s offensive blackboard against a N.Y. Giants defense that has struggled this year? Good Will Grier Hunting.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

“Cooper Kupp misses this game in week 12, giving Tutu Atwell a chance to shine again. Atwell was impressive last time Kupp was off the field, with four games over ten fantasy points. The Cardinals have been a terrible secondary this season. Atwell could have a big game with Puka Nacua and finish as a top-20 receiver in week 12. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

“Kyren Williams is back for the Los Angeles Rams and boy, do they need him. What is his reward for returning? A great matchup versus the Cardinals. Williams’ last game before going on IR saw him rack up 20 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown against, checks notes, the same Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has given up the 3rd most points this season to the position, and has allowed at least one RB touchdown in their last 4 games. Kyren scores in his return, and has a chance for more. Fire him up in Week 12.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“The 49ers recently lost starting safety Talanoa Hufanga to a noncontact season-ending knee injury. San Francisco used a third-round draft selection in this past draft on safety Ji’Ayir Brown out of Penn State. Brown could hold his own in coverage at the collegiate level, but his best game is reading the field and making plays downhill on the ball carrier. I expect Brown to be a focus point of the Seattle offense, thus giving Ji’Ayir Brown many opportunities for fantasy points this week. I genuinely believe that Brown has the potential to finish as a top-12 defensive back in week 12. ”
– Mason “Mase” Riney (Fantasy Six Pack)

“Tony Pollard will finish as a top-3 running back this week after demolishing the Commanders on Thanksgiving Day. Pollard will find himself truly thankful for such a generous run defense and should top 100 yards rushing while adding in two or more touchdowns. If he is able to find his way into a receiving role, he could even record a Thanksgiving TD hat-trick.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)

“This is the Jameson Williams breakout week. Williams has seen his snap share increase in each of his last three games, with a career-high 65% mark last week. Green Bay has allowed the eighth-highest passer rating and the fourth-highest depth-adjusted completion rate on deep balls this season (per Fantasy Points Data). Since Week 7, Williams has led the team with five deep targets, which account for 62.5% of the team’s deep shots. Williams takes two deep shots to the house this week to finish with 100 receiving yards and two scores.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

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