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Mike Fanelli gives his fantasy football bold predictions for Week 12 of the NFL season, giving fantasy players something to think about when setting their lineups.
Week 12 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Lamar Jackson, Jerome Ford, Kyren Williams, Stefon Diggs, and David Njoku.
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 12 of the 2023 NFL season.
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Lamar Jackson…
Is the QB1 despite missing Mark Andrews
Unfortunately, Jackson lost his superstar tight end in the Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. While Andrews could return if the Baltimore Ravens make a deep playoff run, his regular season is over. However, the superstar quarterback still has several talented weapons, including Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. Furthermore, Jackson had passing touchdowns last week despite losing his go-to tight end early in the game.
More importantly, the superstar quarterback has been outstanding in 2023. Despite having a down three-game stretch from Week 8 through Week 10, Jackson is still the QB4 for the year, averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game. He has been productive with his arm. Furthermore, the veteran has been using his legs to rack up fantasy points.
The superstar has averaged 48.6 rushing yards per game this season, totaling 40 or more yards in over 63% of the games. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers have surrendered 20.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They have given up over 320 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 20.9 fantasy points to quarterbacks in back-to-back games. Expect Jackson to keep that streak alive.
Jerome Ford…
And Kareem Hunt are top-20 running backs in Week 12
After losing Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder injury, the Cleveland Browns handed the starting job to rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Last week, the rookie had 43 pass attempts against a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers pass defense. More importantly, the Steelers did an excellent job limiting the Browns’ rushing attack. However, fantasy players shouldn’t expect the same game plan this week.
Cleveland wants to run the ball; it’s been their identity for the past several years. Despite losing Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury earlier this season, the Browns have leaned on Ford and Hunt to carry the offense. While both running backs combined for 24 rushing attempts for only 67 yards and 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points against Pittsburgh, they should be significantly more productive on Sunday.
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.
Kyren Williams…
Is the overall RB1 in his return from injured reserve
No one had high expectations for Williams entering the season. The second-year player had a limited role as a rookie. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Rams backfield belonged to Cam Akers. However, the former Notre Dame running back has been the team’s best option in the backfield. He is the RB25 for the year but has averaged 17.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, making him the RB3 on a points-per-game basis.
Unfortunately, Williams suffered an ankle injury in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He had arguably the best performance of his career in that contest, totaling 20 rushing attempts for 158 yards, a touchdown, and 21.8 fantasy points despite getting hurt. Thankfully, the second-year player returned to practice on Wednesday and should play Sunday against the NFC West division rivals.
Not only did Williams destroy Arizona’s defense in Week 6, but he gets to do it again this week. The Cardinals have struggled to slow down opposing rushing attacks. They have given up 24.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the third-most in the NFL. Over the past four weeks, Arizona has surrendered 109.3 rushing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 25.2 fantasy points per game to running backs.
Stefon Diggs…
Drops a season-high in fantasy points
Many criticized the Buffalo Bills for firing offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey a few weeks ago. However, the team’s offense looked dangerous in their first game with Joe Brady calling the plays. Last week, the Bills scored 32 points, including three passing touchdowns from Josh Allen. Yet, Diggs had only four receptions on eight targets for 27 receiving yards and 4.7 half-point PPR fantasy points in the victory.
Last week was the second consecutive game the superstar wide receiver had fewer than 35 receiving yards and five fantasy points. However, he faced two elite young cornerbacks in those games -- Patrick Surtain II and Sauce Gardner. Before the two-week cold spell, Diggs was the WR3, averaging 17.8 fantasy points per game and totaling double-digits in every contest.
Thankfully, the Week 12 matchup couldn’t be better for the former Maryland star wide receiver. He faces a Philadelphia Eagles secondary that has given up 37.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have surrendered at least one receiving touchdown to wide receivers in all but one game this year. After struggling the past few weeks, fantasy players should expect the Bills to feature Diggs often in this matchup.
David Njoku…
Has double-digit targets and is the TE1
When the Cleveland Browns lost Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder injury, many gave up on the team’s passing attack. However, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson had some bright moments against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Furthermore, the Browns allowed him to throw 43 times despite leading most of the game.
More importantly, Thompson-Robinson has made Njoku his go-to guy. Last week, the star tight end had 15 targets. By comparison, Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore had a combined 15 targets against the Steelers. Njoku had seven receptions for 56 receiving yards and 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points. Furthermore, the rookie quarterback has targeted the veteran tight end on over 20% of his throws this season.
Meanwhile, Njoku faces a Denver Broncos defense that has struggled to slow down opposing tight ends. They have given up 13.4 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the most in the NFL. Furthermore, the Broncos have surrendered 13 receptions for 153 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 33.8 fantasy points over the past two weeks. Don’t be surprised if Njoku has a season-high in fantasy points against Denver.
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