Week 11 was a solid week for two of our Fantrax bold predictions. Both Ahaan Rungta and Lauren Auerbach nailed their calls that Saints tight end, Adam Trautman, and Carolina Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton, would have big days. Both enter Week 12 coming off of top-five performances at their respective positions. The crew keeps things rolling over Thanksgiving weekend and is thankful for the opportunity to talk football!
Each week, our Fantrax staff writers make their fantasy football bold predictions for you to get excited about, help sway those lineup decisions, and take your team to the moon!
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More fantasy football fun for Week 12: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers
2021 NFL Week 12 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
18.9 PPR fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
Colin’s Breakdown: I’m piggybacking off of Fantrax’s own, Ahaan Rungta, for this one. Last week, Ahaan absolutely nailed his bold prediction. He made the claim that New Orleans Saints tight end, Adam Trautman, would post a 6/69/1 stat line against the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Trautman had five receptions for 58 yards and a score. Next up against the Philly defense: Evan Engram.
The Eagles defense continues to allow the most receptions, yards, and touchdowns to opposing tight ends. While they’ve played better as of late, tight ends continue to stand out week after week. Evan Engram is averaging just over three receptions per game this season with a season-high six back in Week 7. He has yet to top 55 receiving yards and has only found the end zone twice. Given the matchup this week, my bold prediction supports Engram having his best game of the season.
Earlier this week, the Giants fired offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett. Freddie Kitchens is now set to take over as the play-caller for the Giants. His last stint as offensive coordinator, for the Cleveland Browns in 2018, produced career highs for David Njoku in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. It’s a good bet Engram follows suit in Kitchens’ first game calling the shots this Sunday, especially with the Giants underwhelming and banged-up group of receivers. Don’t hesitate to plug Engram in your lineup this weekend, especially since the tight end position is so inconsistent, yet again, in fantasy football.
Laviska Shenault, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 101 yards, 1 touchdown
23.1 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mike Omelan, @mikeomelan on Twitter
Mike’s Breakdown: Laviska Shenault is one of the more disappointing fantasy football players this season. He still has a chance to turn things around. That starts this week. My bold prediction is ‘Viska explodes back onto the scene as one of this week’s best receivers.
Jamal Agnew, whose been a standout player in Jacksonville this season, is done for the year after the Jags placed him on Injured Reserve this week with a hip injury. Agnew, a former defensive back turned wide receiver, has cut into Shenault’s production this season.
Since Jacksonville’s Week 7 bye, Agnew has more targets (25) than Shenault (21) and Marvin Jones Jr. (24). In his absence, both Jones Jr. and Shenault should go back to dominating the team target share. In Week 12, they face off against an Atlanta Falcons defense allowing 28.8 points per game and 33 in their last three games. This game has shootout potential and Laviska Shenault should play a big role in it.
Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 300 total yards, 3 touchdowns
24.0+ fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Ahaan Rungta, @AhaanRungta on Twitter
Ahaan’s Breakdown: The 15th-overall pick, Mac Jones, has firmly entered the race for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He is now the fourth-best quarterback in the NFL this season by PFF grade, is among the bottom 10 quarterbacks in turnover-worthy play rate, and among the top 10 quarterbacks in adjusted completion rate (minimum 5 games played).
In what should be a closely-contested game, we could get a rare pass-heavy game plan from the Patriots offense against the Titans, who rank middle-of-the-pack in pass DVOA as a defense. The key will simply be how Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will use his talent in the red zone.
The Titans have given up 22 total touchdowns to quarterbacks this season but only seven rushing touchdowns to running backs. In fact, this season, Tennessee has given up the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and the second-most yards on explosive pass plays in the NFL this season.
I’m making the call—in Week 12, my bold prediction is that Jones will throw three touchdowns for the second time in his career completing 21 of 30 passing attempts.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 93 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
22.3 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Lauren Auerbach, @lkauerbach on Twitter
Lauren’s Breakdown: Last week, I called that Cam Newton was back. My Week 11 bold prediction had Newton recording 173 total yards and three touchdowns. He logged 235 total yards, threw for two scores, and rushed for one. In Week 12, my bold prediction centers around another player who is definitely back, as well: Brandon Aiyuk.
In the last three weeks, Aiyuk has scored 40.2 of his 82.0 PPR points this season. His team target share continues to increase logging no less 20.1% in the last three weeks and a whopping 36.8% last week.
Both the 49ers and their Week 12 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, are in the NFC playoff hunt. With that said, my bold prediction is Aiyuk posts his best stat line of the season as San Fran tries to lock up a crucial win. It should help that Week 9-11’s 7th-best fantasy quarterback, Jimmy Garopollo, is playing some of his best football in a while. His recent connection with Aiyuk will be on full display in Week 12.
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Bold Prediction: 9 rushes, 44 yards; 5 receptions, 41 yards; 1 touchdown
19.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mick Ciallela, @themick23 on Twitter
Mick’s Breakdown: Even though CeeDee Lamb is looking like he will play on Thursday, the Cowboys’ skill positions are not quite at full strength. Amari Cooper is out and Ezekiel Elliott is dealing with a knee injury. I think that Tony Pollard could be in for a bit more work than usual considering the circumstances.
Pollard currently averages nine rushes and 2.5 receptions per game. If he receives closer to 15 touches on Thursday, he could be in for a big Thanksgiving Day. Dallas did receive some positive news on the injury front concerning left tackle Tyron Smith. Smith should be back in the fold for the Cowboys after missing the last three games. That should only benefit Pollard, who averages 5.76 yards per carry in Smith’s starts this season.
The Las Vegas Raiders allow a healthy 4.47 yards per carry to opposing running backs. They have also given up a dozen touchdowns to the position this season. Only four teams have surrendered more touchdowns to running backs on the year. If Pollard finds his way to the end zone, he will go from borderline Flex play to top-15 fantasy running back. My bold prediction is he finishes close to the latter.
Week 12 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex
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