I cannot stress enough to start your studs in the fantasy football playoffs. However, we now know that certain studs, such as Keenan Allen, Ja’Marr Chase, and others are unavailable in Week 16. So, in the event you do need to swing for the fences a bit, I’m giving you a bold prediction for one player at each position that I think can help get you to your league’s championship.
I feel good about my Matthew Stafford (QB12) and Ty Chandler (RB4) picks last week, but I whiffed on Odell Beckham Jr. (WR92) and Pat Freiermuth (TE33) big time. It’s my mission to go four-for-four with my Week 16 bold predictions.
2023 NFL Week 16 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Nick Mullens, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Bold Prediction: 283 passing yards, 3 touchdowns
23.32 fantasy points
In his first start since 2021, Nick Mullens had a nice day in Week 15 throwing for over 300 yards, two touchdowns, but adding two picks in the overtime loss in Cincinnati. While it’s not the result the Vikings hoped for, our main focus right now is fantasy points. Mullen’s Week 15 start yielded a QB11 performance of 19.1 points. Not bad at all, but maybe not flashy enough to encourage plugging him in for Week 16.
Let my Week 16 bold prediction for Mullens remind you what he’s capable of in the Vikings’ offense. In seven starts in which he finished the game this season, Kirk Cousins averaged 40 pass attempts per game. After losing him to a torn Achilles, Joshua Dobbs started and completed four games in which he threw the ball an average of 32 times. Nick Mullens stepped in last week and immediately tossed 33 pass attempts. As a whole, this team ranks sixth in total pass attempts (519) with an average of 37.07 per game. Mullens, in a competitive NFC North battle hosting the 10-win Detroit Lions, should keep up the volume which we love for fantasy purposes.
The Detroit Lions defense has allowed the ninth-most points per game (23.6) to opponents this season. They’re also allowing the ninth-most points per game on the road (25.4) this season. So, while Detroit looks like they’re playoff-bound for the first time since 2016, it’s not without a fight. However, it’s going to happen through the air. The Lions’ defense has only given up 868 rushing yards to running backs this season, the lowest total in the league.
I don’t think you need reminding, but Nick Mullens’ top three weapons are all studs, too. That’s Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison. I’m confident with the volume, matchup at home, and personnel Mullens is surrounded with that he’s a trustworthy start in Week 16. Plugging him into your lineup won’t kill you, but my Week 16 bold prediction for him may just save you.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
Bold Prediction: 23 carries, 110 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2 receptions, 15 yards
26.5 fantasy points
Plugging in anyone from the Carolina Panthers’ offense is bold. I’m taking it a step further with my Week 16 bold prediction that Chuba Hubbard will finish as a top-10 running back in the semi-final round. This bold prediction is the perfect combination of volume plus matchup equaling success for Hubbard.
The Carolina Panthers will host the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. While Green Bay is one of my favorite streaming defense/special teams units for Week 16, their difficulty stopping the run cannot be ignored. The Packers rank fourth in rushing yards allowed to opposing running backs this season. They’ve also allowed 12 rushing touchdowns to the position, as well, nearly one per game.
Hubbard is the clear-cut lead back in Carolina heading into Week 16. Since the firing of head coach Frank Reich, Hubbard has 22 or more carries in every game since Week 13. He’s averaging nearly 25 touches per game with 74 total in the last three. There’s no reason for the Panthers to dial back on his workload, especially in a smash spot at home against Green Bay.
Speaking of Green Bay, their offense is banged up. Christian Watson is out with a hamstring injury while Jayden Reed (toe/chest) and A.J. Dillon (broken thumb) are both questionable. Aaron Jones is a full-go, but just a few weeks out from a significant knee sprain. That said, if their offense can’t get things moving, the more time of possession for Carolina, the more touches for Hubbard. I think he’s a volume-based RB2 that is likely to score. My Week 16 bold prediction would be his second-ever two-score game in his career.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 75 yards, 1 touchdown
20.5 fantasy points
I’m not picking on the Philadelphia Eagles with this Week 16 bold prediction, but opposing offenses certainly are. This season, teams are targeting wide receivers at the highest rate when playing the Philadelphia Eagles. As a result, the Eagles are allowing the most receptions, touchdowns, and third-most yards to the position.
Week 16 should be the return of the Eagles’ top cornerback, Darius Slay. However, he is likely to spend most of the day covering Darius Slayton on the Giants side. The rest of the secondary is suspect especially considering they gave up a 92-yard game-winning drive to Drew Lock last week. So, while Tommy DeVito isn’t necessarily the most dangerous quarterback to face the Eagles defense, he’s simply the next one up and can have some success.
Let me be clear: I think the Philadelphia Eagles are going to win this game convincingly. After dropping their last three, I cannot imagine them losing to the Giants on Christmas Day in Philly. So, regardless of the Eagles’ secondary woes, I expect DeVito to be busy through the air in a negative game script.
That finally brings me to Wan’Dale Robinson. He has at least four catches in the last three games for New York. He’s averaging just over six targets per game with DeVito under center, as well. My Week 16 bold prediction for him is a season-best performance, but merely a touchdown more than what he did against Green Bay in Week 14, so not completely out of the question.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown
18.0 fantasy points
Listen, I don’t want to be starting any New England Patriots in the semi-finals either. However, it’s tough out here choosing tight ends if you don’t have a stud like Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, or Sam LaPorta. If you’re lucky enough to have made it this far streaming the position, then roll with Hunter Henry as my Week 16 bold prediction for him is solely matchup-based.
The Denver Broncos are the only team to allow nine touchdowns to the tight end position this season. I don’t care if it happens in the first quarter or the last minute of the game, points are points. Hunter Henry is as good of a bet as anyone to find the end zone against the Broncos in Denver on Sunday. If so, it would be his third straight game getting into the end zone. When you’re hot, you’re hot.
In Henry’s case, there are no other legitimate options in the Patriots’ passing game. They’re going to be playing from behind in this one and Henry should see at least five targets, if not more. Let me wrap up this Week 16 bold prediction piece by reminding you that Sam LaPorta scored three touchdowns against this Broncos defense just last week. You never know what can happen in the fantasy football playoffs!
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