Last week may have been the best week for the Fantrax staff bold predictions. What a time to make it count in the fantasy football semi finals! Myself and Lauren Auerbach made the case to start Los Angeles Chargers running back, Justin Jackson, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow, respectively, and they each finished as the top ranked player at their respective position. In addition to those great takes, Allen Lazard and DK Metcalf, who were Mike Omelan and Ahaan Rungta’s bold prediction picks, may not have filled up the stat sheet, but they each scored a touchdown, which made starting them worthwhile.
As Week 17 looms, we here at Fantrax know what’s at stake. Your league title is on the line. With that, maybe some cash, a trophy, but above all, bragging rights until next season. With that said, the following bold predictions for the fantasy football finals are not to be taken lightly. Each Fantrax staff member knows their pick has potential to help you win your league.
So, set those lineups. Start your studs! But, don’t be afraid to plug in these bold prediction players and earn you that league title you deserve!
Be sure to follow all of these bold predictions and more @Fantrax on Twitter and @fantraxsports on Instagram!
2021 NFL Week 17 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Bold Prediction: 15 rushes, 70 rushing yards, 1 touchdown; 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards
17.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
Colin’s Breakdown: Miles Sanders is out until further notice with a broken hand. Jordan Howard is practicing on a limited basis with a stinger. I don’t expect him to play, but it could be a game-time decision. Even if Howard does, Boston Scott should see the majority of the work out of the backfield in a potential playoff-clinching matchup in Washington this weekend for the Philadelphia Eagles.
In three games this season, where Boston Scott played the majority of the running back snaps, he’s averaged just over 12 carries, for just over 54 rushing yards, and one touchdown. Additionally, with his 73 carries this season, Scott is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. My Week 17 bold prediction of 70 yards on 15 carries lands him at about 4.6 yards per carry.
In Week 17, the Eagles face off against the Washington Football Team, who they beat just two weeks ago. In that contest, Miles Sanders rushed 18 times for 131 yards. Jordan Howard added 15 rushes for 69 yards of his own. The Eagles lead the league in rushing yards (2,448), rushing yards per game (163.2), and rushing touchdowns (22) this season. I fully expect Boston Scott to take it upon himself to continue that trend in a pivotal NFC Wild Card game on Sunday. He’s a confident start for the fantasy finals, and a must-start if Jordan Howard is ruled out.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Bold Prediction: 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 touchdown
19.7 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mike Omelan, @mikeomelan on Twitter
Mike’s Breakdown: In the last three weeks, rookie quarterback, Davis Mills, has the Texans turning some heads. The team ranks seventh in scoring across the league with 28.0 points per game in Mill’s last three starts. In that time, rookie receiver, Nico Collins, leads the team in targets with 18 total. Sure, Brandin Cooks missed Week 16 on the Covid-19/Reserve List, but it’s clear Collins is the second option in the Texans’ passing attack as of late.
In Week 17, the Texans will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. They’ve allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Digging deeper into the numbers, it’s worth noting they’re allowing the ninth-most receiving yards to the position, as well.
Given that San Fran is an approximate 12.5-point favorite in this one, the Texans will likely air it out in an attempt to keep up. Add in the fact that the 49ers defense is a bit tougher against the run, and faces off against an already depleted Texans backfield, I like Nico Collins’ role in this one. My bold prediction is that he not only finds the end zone but sets a career-high in receiving yards on Sunday.
Deonte Harty, WR, New Orleans Saints
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 touchdown
21.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Ahaan Rungta, @AhaanRungta on Twitter
Ahaan’s Breakdown: If I told you there’s a wide receiver this season who leads the NFL in targets and yards per route run and also ranked top 10 in true catch rate (110.7%), target separation (2.02 yards), and fantasy points per route run (0.69), who would your first guess be? Yeah, it is in fact Deonte Harty, who has completed serving a suspension and is likely returning to NFL action in Week 17, barring any COVID-19 setbacks. If he is indeed off the league’s protocol by Sunday, he clearly has the talent to be immediately involved in a Saints offense run by the return of Taysom Hill, who targeted Harty eight times in their only full game together in Week 13.
Gerald Everett, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Bold Prediction: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 1 touchdown
18.2 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Lauren Auerbach, @lkauerbach on Twitter
Lauren’s Breakdown: It’s Week 17, the last week of the fantasy football season. If you made it to the finals, congratulations! For my final bold prediction, I’m going with…drum roll, please…Gerald Everett! Everett has been a consistent pass-catching option for Russell Wilson, averaging just over five targets per game since Week 10. In the past three weeks, Everett has either scored a touchdown or received at least 60 yards, ranking as the TE8 (based on PPR scoring).
This week, Everett should continue to roll in a plus matchup against the Detroit Lions. On the season, the Lions have given up the fourth-most receiving yards to tight ends, and rank tenth-worst against the position. Everett possesses both the volume and touchdown combo you’re ideally looking for at tight end. He’s scored three touchdowns in the past five weeks, and I expect Everett to find the end zone again in Week 17. I’ve got him ranked just inside my top-12 of Week 17 tight end rankings giving you the green light to get him into your starting lineup.
Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 109 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
23.9 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mick Ciallela, @themick23 on Twitter
Mick’s Breakdown: The Los Angeles Rams have worked their way up to the top of the NFC West, though, their passing game has left a lot to be desired in recent weeks. Matthew Stafford’s passing yards, yards per attempt, and touchdowns have all decreased over his last three games. Meanwhile, his interceptions have increased each time out. Sean McVay will need to get the passing game straightened out if this team is going to be considered a Super Bowl threat.
The first step in that process begins this week against the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Burrow’s 525-yard, four-touchdown performance last week punctuated the fact that this Baltimore Ravens defense bears no resemblance to the outfit we have grown accustomed to over the years. Baltimore has allowed the most passing yards in the NFL. Only two teams have allowed more touchdowns through the air, and only one team has intercepted fewer passes. All of this should be good news for Stafford and Cooper Kupp. However, I believe this is also a potential blowup spot for Odell Beckham.
Beckham is the overall WR25 since being acquired by the Rams, but his yardage totals have been a bit underwhelming. Beckham has averaged just 41.3 yards per game as a Ram. He ranks 43rd among receivers in yardage over the past four weeks. I believe this week offers the best chance for Beckham to post his first 100-plus yard game since October of 2019.
The combination of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase destroyed Baltimore for 19 catches, 319 yards, and two touchdowns last week. The week prior, Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling combined for 11 receptions, 142 yards, and two scores. The Ravens are struggling mightily to contain outside receivers so my Week 17 bold prediction suggests a big day from OBJ this week as the Rams look to get their passing attack back on track.
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