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Mike Fanelli gives his fantasy football bold predictions for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Should you start or sit Bryce Young, Bucky Irving, Brian Thomas Jr.?
Week 13 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Bryce Young, Bucky Irving, Brian Thomas Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., and Cade Otton.
Every week, I will provide some fun and bold fantasy football predictions. While these bold predictions aren’t the most likely outcomes, they are things I believe could happen this week.
Let’s look at my five bold predictions for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season.
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Bryce Young…
Finishes the week as a QB1
Young is the QB35 for the year, averaging only 8.3 fantasy points per game. The second-year pro was awful before getting benched, completing 55.4% of his pass attempts for 245 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and 11.6 fantasy points over the first two weeks.
While he hasn’t been a fantasy superstar since returning to the starting lineup, Young has had some positive moments. He had a season-high two passing touchdowns in the Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos despite missing his top two wide receivers. Furthermore, it was his first start since getting benched.
Meanwhile, Young is coming off his best fantasy performance this year. Last week, the second-year pro completed 60% of his pass attempts for 263 yards, a touchdown, and 16.5 fantasy points, setting season-highs in yards and fantasy points. Furthermore, he almost pulled off the upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gimme MOORE
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/KaDTuBPqCw
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 24, 2024
More importantly, Young couldn’t ask for a better matchup in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have surrendered 22 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, the Buccaneers have surrendered 3.2 passing touchdowns and 26.4 fantasy points per game over their previous six contests before last week’s matchup against Tommy Devito.
Bucky Irving…
Ends Week 13 as a top-five running back
Let’s keep it in the NFC South with my second bold prediction. Irving has been arguably the clear-cut top rookie running back this season. He is the RB22 for the year, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, Rachaad White is the RB25 this season, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per contest.
Last week, the rookie running back had the best fantasy performance of his career. Irving had 12 rushing attempts for 87 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, he had six receptions for 64 receiving yards, totaling 24.1 fantasy points in the blowout win over the New York Giants.
More importantly, Irving played more snaps than White for the first time this year (34 vs. 32). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might finally be making a change in their backfield, giving the rookie more work. He has had 25 rushing attempts for 160 yards, two touchdowns, and 40.3 fantasy points over his past two contests.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have surrendered 27.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the most in the NFL. They have given up at least one rushing touchdown to running backs in 72.7% of their games. Furthermore, the Panthers have allowed opposing running backs to total two or more rushing touchdowns and over 32 fantasy points in nearly 40% of their matchups.
Brian Thomas Jr.…
Scores over 20 half-point PPR fantasy points for the second time this year
Unfortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars have had a disappointing season. However, the lone bright spot has been their rookie wide receiver. Thomas is the WR12 for the year, averaging 11.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite playing the past two weeks with Mac Jones under center.
Hopefully, Trevor Lawrence can play after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury. He practiced earlier this week, giving fantasy players hope. Thomas has averaged five targets and 6.7 fantasy points per game with Jones under center. By comparison, he has averaged 5.9 targets and 12.5 fantasy points per game with Lawrence.
More importantly, the former LSU star has a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Texans have surrendered 30 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Thomas was outstanding in the Week 4 matchup against Houston.
The rookie wide receiver had six receptions on nine targets for 86 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 18.9 fantasy points against the division rivals. Fantasy players should expect similar production on Sunday. The Texans gave up 11.8 fantasy points to Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine last week.
2nd touchdown of the season for Brian Thomas Jr.
📺: #JAXvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/d7UoVTFKu2— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Marvin Harrison Jr.…
Lights up the Minnesota Vikings secondary
Harrison’s rookie season has been a fantasy football disappointment. The former Ohio State star is the WR26 for the year, averaging 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has a lower fantasy points per game average than Allen Lazard (12.3) and Jordan Addison (11.1).
While fantasy players expected the Arizona Cardinals to feature Harrison, making him the focal point of their offense, the rookie wide receiver has averaged only six targets per game this season. He has had eight or fewer in all but the Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Furthermore, Harrison has averaged only 5.2 targets and 7.7 fantasy points per game over his past six contests, totaling 6.2 or fewer in all but two matchups. However, the star rookie wide receiver is primed for a massive fantasy performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
The Vikings have surrendered 33.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up over 230 receiving yards and at least one touchdown to wide receivers in back-to-back games. More importantly, DJ Moore had seven receptions for 106 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 23.4 fantasy points against Minnesota last week.
Cade Otton…
Bounces back and has a top-three finish in Week 13
Otton is the TE7 for the year, averaging 8.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He was outstanding with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the lineup, averaging 10.3 targets and 18.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game from Week 7 through Week 9. The third-year pro had three receiving touchdowns in those three games.
Baker to Otton for the lead!
📺: #TBvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/XqVi4rlIJm— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
However, Otton has struggled lately. He has six receptions on 11 targets for 65 receiving yards and 9.5 fantasy points over his past two contests. Last week, the third-year tight end had only one reception for 35 receiving yards, totaling 3.5 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 2.
Many have blamed Evans' return for Otton’s poor performance. However, the former Washington star has struggled the past two games because of poor fantasy matchups. Thankfully, he has an excellent matchup on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
The NFC South division rivals have surrendered 15.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the most in the NFL. They have given up 26.1 or more fantasy points in three of their past four games, including last week. Furthermore, the Panthers have allowed 1.4 touchdowns and 21.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends over their past five contests.
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