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Mike Fanelli gives his fantasy football bold predictions for Wild Card Weekend of the 2024 NFL season. Should you start or sit Justin Herbert, James Cook, A.J. Brown?
Wild Card Weekend is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Justin Herbert, James Cook, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, and T.J. Hockenson.
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 the first round of the NFL playoffs.
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Justin Herbert…
Has at least two touchdowns and 20 fantasy points
While many were afraid to pick Herbert in redraft leagues this year, the superstar had a solid season. The former Oregon star finished the year as the QB11, averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game despite the slow start. He averaged only one passing touchdown and 11.2 fantasy points per game over the first six weeks.
However, Herbert was outstanding to end the season. The superstar was the QB8 over the final 11 weeks, averaging 1.6 passing touchdowns and 19.4 fantasy points per game. He had at least two passing touchdowns in 63.6% of the contests. Furthermore, Herbert finished with at least 19.5 fantasy points in seven of the 11 outings.
what a throw
📺 | @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Rco1a1D1Di
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 20, 2024
The former Oregon star ended the regular season on fire. Herbert was the QB4 over the final three weeks, averaging 2.3 passing touchdowns and 25.2 fantasy points per game, totaling at least two and 23.2 in every contest. He had a season-high 28 fantasy points in Week 18.
More importantly, Herbert faces the Houston Texans on Saturday. They gave up 19.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks during the regular season, the 12th-most in the NFL. The Texans also surrendered 31 passing touchdowns, the third-most in the league. Expect Herbert to have his way with Houston’s defense.
James Cook…
Struggles against an elite Denver Broncos run defense
Cook had a career year in 2024. The former Georgia star finished the season as the RB8, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He finished first in the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. Furthermore, the third-year pro ended the year second in offensive scores with 18, only behind Jahmyr Gibbs (20).
Yet, Cook didn’t finish anywhere near the league lead in rushing yards. He had 1,009 rushing yards this season, down from 1,122 in 2023. More importantly, the third-year pro ranked 16th in the NFL in rushing yards, totaling 34 fewer than Najee Harris and seven less than Joe Mixon, despite playing in two more contests.
The former Georgia star had three games this season with 100 or more rushing yards. By comparison, Cook had 44 or fewer rushing yards in 43.8% of the games, failing to total 45 or more in seven contests, including four at home. Unfortunately, he faces the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Denver held running backs to 19.8 fantasy points per game during the regular season, the 11th-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, the Broncos surrendered 1,329 rushing yards, the fifth-fewest in the league, giving up 78.2 per game. If the Buffalo Bills win this game, it will be because of Josh Allen and not their star running back.
A.J. Brown…
Totals over 100 receiving yards, a touchdown, and the victory
Unfortunately, the 2024 season had its ups and downs for Brown. He finished the year as the WR18, averaging 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar missed three games with a hamstring injury earlier this season and the meaningless Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants.
However, Brown was productive regardless of who played quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a receiving touchdown or at least 80 receiving yards in nearly 70% of the games, including three consecutive contests to end the year. Furthermore, the star wide receiver played well in Week 17 despite the Eagles being down to their third-string quarterback.
Brown had three receptions on five targets for 36 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 11.1 fantasy points in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. The superstar caught a touchdown pass from Tanner McKee. After a brief lapse of judgment, Brown got back the quarterback’s first NFL touchdown pass.
GO BACK TO AJ BROWN.
Great throw by Tanner McKee.
📺: #DALvsPHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ZeW6Syi6nF— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Meanwhile, the superstar faces the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Green Bay held wide receivers to 26.3 fantasy points per game this year, the third-fewest in the NFL during the regular season. However, they have struggled to stop No. 1 wide receivers lately, giving up 178 receiving yards and a touchdown to DJ Moore and Justin Jefferson over the past two weeks.
Terry McLaurin…
Rips apart the Tamp Bay Buccaneers secondary
The Washington Commanders made the playoffs this year after missing the past three seasons because of Jayden Daniels. While the rookie quarterback played a massive role, McLaurin helped the former LSU star make the Pro Bowl this year. The former Ohio State star had a career season in 2024.
McLaurin ended the year as the WR6, averaging 13.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He finished with more fantasy points than several big-name wide receivers, including CeeDee Lamb and Davante Adams. More importantly, the star wide receiver had a massive season despite a few awful performances.
Unfortunately, McLaurin struggled in the fantasy championship in Week 17, totaling one reception on seven targets for five receiving yards and one fantasy point. The former Ohio State star scored 5.2 or fewer fantasy points in four games this season, including the Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers.
However, McLaurin should have success against Tampa Bay in the rematch. The Buccaneers surrendered 31.1 fantasy points per game to wide receivers during the regular season, the ninth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, bettors should take the over on McLaurin’s 58.5 receiving yards prop bet. Tampa Bay has surrendered 76.6 receiving yards per game to opposing No. 1 wide receivers since their Week 11 bye.
T.J. Hockenson…
Is the highest-scoring tight end this weekend
Hockenson started the year on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a massive knee injury to end the 2023 season. The veteran tight end didn’t have a receiving touchdown this year despite playing in 10 regular season contests.
However, he made several impressive plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn into significant fantasy production. Hockenson was the TE33 during the regular season, averaging 6.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Smooth contested grab by T.J. Hockenson pic.twitter.com/Kpij27orvv
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 24, 2024
The veteran scored more than 9.3 fantasy points only twice, totaling 11.2 in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and 14.9 in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. While he has gone six consecutive games scoring single-digit fantasy points, that will change Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles gave up 13.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the second-most in the NFL. They have allowed at least seven receptions on 10 targets for 71 receiving yards to tight ends in three consecutive games. Furthermore, the Rams have given up 24 receptions on 30 targets for 243 receiving yards and three touchdowns to tight ends over the past two weeks.
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