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Mike Fanelli gives his fantasy football bold predictions for Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season. Should you start or sit Cooper Rush, Bucky Irving, Jakobi Meyers?
Week 16 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Cooper Rush, Bucky Irving, Jakobi Meyers, Jalen McMillan, and Pat Freiermuth.
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 16 of the 2024 NFL season.
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Cooper Rush…
Is a top-eight quarterback for the second consecutive week
Surprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys have gone on a bit of a winning streak lately. They’ve won three of their past four games, including a high-scoring victory over a likely playoff Washington Commanders team. While losing Dak Prescott for the season is disappointing, Rush has stepped up as the team’s starting quarterback.
More importantly, he has been a solid streaming option for fantasy players in deeper leagues. Rush struggled in his first start this year, totaling 45 passing yards and zero touchdowns. However, he has averaged two passing touchdowns and 15.8 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling 16.4 or more in 60% of the contests.
Last week, Rush had his best fantasy performance this season in the win over the Carolina Panthers. The veteran had 214 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 19.1 fantasy points. More importantly, he has an excellent matchup in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WOW!!! 🤩
What a throw by Cooper Rush and catch by Jalen Brooks for the TD!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/z6j6eFReQn
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2024
The Buccaneers have surrendered 20.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up 23.6 or more fantasy points to quarterbacks in five of their past eight games, including half of their matchups this year. Don’t be surprised if Rush has another three-passing touchdown outing, with the Cowboys likely chasing points in the second half.
Bucky Irving…
Ends Week 16 as a top-five running back
Unfortunately, Irving only played 16% of the snaps in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders because of a back injury. However, he has been on fire before the injury, averaging 16.7 rushing attempts for 104.3 yards, a touchdown, four receptions for 37 receiving yards, and 22.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his previous three contests.
The rookie running back had at least 16.2 or more fantasy points in every contest. More importantly, he had a bounce-back performance against the Los Angeles Chargers last week despite Rachaad White playing well. Irving had 15 rushing attempts for 117 yards and 12.3 fantasy points, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt.
Furthermore, he had two rushing attempts totaling 15 or more yards in the win. Meanwhile, the rookie running back has an appealing matchup on Sunday night against a struggling Dallas Cowboys run defense. While they have played better lately, the Cowboys are still one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
Dallas has surrendered 22.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the sixth-most in the league. They have given up 14 rushing touchdowns to running backs this year, the third-most in the NFL. Opposing running backs have had two or more rushing touchdowns against the Cowboys in 28.6% of their matchups.
Jakobi Meyers…
Finishes the week as a WR1
Meyers has missed some time this season because of injury. However, the veteran wide receiver has been a solid flex option or WR3 for fantasy players. He is the WR29 for the year, averaging 11 half-point PPR fantasy per game.
Furthermore, Meyers has been a borderline must-start WR2 since the Las Vegas Raiders traded away Davante Adams. He is the WR22 since Week 8, averaging 9.9 targets and 12 fantasy points per game despite having only one receiving touchdown. The veteran scored double-digit fantasy points in all but two of those contests.
Jakobi Meyers comes down with the TD!
📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/MjQhOBMC6M— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Last week, Meyers struggled with Desmond Ridder under center, catching five of his nine targets for 59 receiving yards and 8.4 fantasy points. His three-game streak of double-digit targets and fantasy points got snapped against the Atlanta Falcons. Thankfully, Aidan O'Connell will return this week, boosting Meyers’ fantasy value.
More importantly, the veteran faces the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. They have surrendered 32 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the third-most in the NFL. The Jaguars have given up 50 or more fantasy points to wide receivers in two of their past four matchups, including last week.
Jalen McMillan…
Will score over 15 fantasy points for the third consecutive game
While many had high hopes for McMillan earlier this season, the rookie has been a fantasy bust. He is the WR81 for the year, averaging 6.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, missing four contests because of injuries.
McMillan had one receiving touchdown and 9.7 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately, he had zero receiving touchdowns while averaging 2.9 fantasy points per game over the next 12 weeks, totaling 4.1 or fewer in all but one contest. However, the rookie has been on fire lately.
The former Washington star is the WR10 over the past two weeks, averaging 18 fantasy points per game, totaling 16 or more in both contests. McMillan has had nine receptions on 13 targets for 134 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns over the past two weeks. Thankfully, he should keep his recent hot playing rolling against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas has surrendered 28.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the 10th-most in the NFL. Furthermore, their pass defense has struggled lately, giving up 32.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past month, allowing 31.4 or more in all but one contest.
Pat Freiermuth…
Has his fourth consecutive top-eight finish in Week 16
Freiermuth has been a solid streaming option for most of the season. He is the TE11 for the year, averaging 7.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former Penn State star scored 7.9 or fewer fantasy points in every game but two over the first 12 weeks.
Furthermore, Freiermuth scored only three receiving touchdowns over the first 12 weeks, failing to find the end zone in 75% of the games before the team’s Week 9 bye. However, the veteran tight end has been a scoring machine lately. He has a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games.
Pat Freiermuth scores on 3rd and Goal!
📺: #PITvsPHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/3CYpNUMtqw— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
More importantly, Freiermuth is the TE3 over the past three weeks, averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game. The former Penn State star has three consecutive top-eight finishes, including a pair of top-five performances. Meanwhile, he has an appealing fantasy matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
The Ravens have surrendered 10.2 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the 11th-most in the NFL. They have given up double-digit fantasy points to tight ends in half of their games this season, including four of the past eight contests. Expect Freiermuth to have another solid performance with George Pickens missing his third consecutive game (hamstring).
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