Sadly, last week’s bold predictions weren’t published because I was a dunce and left my submission as a draft. I’m sorry about that. So, my season tally for bold precitions is still at 10-21 (0.323). As unfortunate as going 0-3 in Week 11 was, last week’s blunder was more pitiful. Thankfully, I have an opportunity to bounce back this week with the following three bold predictions.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Week 13 Bold Predictions
Sam Darnold is a Top-10 Quarterback in Week 13
Sam Darnold has had some messy moments after a fast start to the year, and while he takes too many sacks and puts the ball in harm’s way somewhat regularly, the fantasy success has returned. Since Week 9, Darnold has had three efforts of at least 21.0 fantasy points, finishing as the QB9 in Week 9, the QB9 in Week 11 and the QB6 in Week 12.
Darnold is only the QB15 in the expert consensus rankings (ECR) this week. However, I’m more bullish on his outlook. According to RotoViz’s pace app, the Cardinals have faced the fourth-highest situation-neutral pass rate since Week 8. Darnold should be busy airing it out to his talented trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
The Jaguars Have a Top-12 DST This Week
The Jaguars are the DST26 in the ECR this week. Most gamers will have better alternatives. However, Jacksonville’s DST is sneaky appealing this week in deeper leagues or those with people rostering multiple DSTs in anticipation of the fantasy playoffs.
The Jaguars are 4.0-point underdogs, but they’re at home and coming out of their bye. Moreover, C.J. Stroud is a gift for fantasy defenses this year. According to Pro Football Reference, among qualified quarterbacks this year, Stroud has the eighth-highest sack rate (8.97%), taken the second-most sacks (39), tied for the sixth-most interceptions (nine) and lost three fumbles. So, Stroud has averaged 3.25 sacks taken and 1.0 turnover per game this season. As a result, Jacksonville’s defense is an appealing punt in DFS and a viable streamer. In fact, I’d rather use Jacksonville’s defense this week than Pittsburgh’s.
Amari Cooper is a Top-24 Wide Receiver in All Scoring Formats in Week 13
Amari Cooper hasn’t lit up the NFL since joining the Bills via a trade. He’s also nursed a wrist injury. Still, he’s flashed potential in Buffalo’s offense and could benefit from another week of healing and practice reps with Josh Allen.
According to the data suite at Fantasy Points, in three games on the Bills, Cooper has had a 13.9-yard average depth of target, 18.8% air-yard share, 0.18 targets per route run, 14.3% first-read percentage and 2.18 yards per route run.
Cooper has aligned wide at an 84.2% rate with the Bills. His alignment should help him this week. The 49ers have faced the 14th-highest target rate wide (41.4%) and the ninth-lowest to the slot (30.2%).
The Bills have an implied total of 25.75 points against the visiting 49ers, and they’ve cranked up the passing lately. Since Week 8, the Bills are tied for the third-highest situation-neutral pass rate (60%). There is room for more than one of Buffalo’s pass-catching weapons to provide gamers with value this week, and Cooper is a candidate to finish as a top-24 wide receiver this week despite ranking as the WR42 in the ECR standard and half point-per-reception (half PPR) formats and the WR44 in PPR.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
