Fantasy Football Picks: Week 13

Mike’s Fantasy Football Forecast is back! For expertly picked quality booms and busts of the week, continue reading below and WIN your fantasy football league!

Previous Weeks:

Week Six, Week Seven, Week Eight, Week Nine, Week Eleven

How I Did Week 11 (Another Tough Week)

Booms

Josh Allen: 16.16 ppr

Najee Harris: 16.9 ppr

Deebo Samuel: 16.4 ppr 

Mike Gesicki: 10 ppr

Busts

Russell Wilson: 8.48 ppr

Austin Ekeler: 41.5 ppr

Justin Jefferson: 37.2 ppr

Kyle Pitts: 5.9 ppr

Booms of the Week 

Quarterback:

Tom Brady: The ageless wonder has continued to strive in his 22nd NFL season. Tom Brady has recorded 3,403 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in 11 games so far, leading the Bucs to first place in the NFC South. On Sunday, he will have a favorable matchup against a weak Falcons defense. The Falcons have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns in the league, in addition to allowing a high completion percentage of 68.5%.

Running Back:  

Joe Mixon: After having a down year last year, Joe Mixon is making up for it through 11 games. Joe Mixon has the third-most rushing yards in the league, 924 yards, and the third-most rushing touchdowns, 11. On Sunday, Mixon faces the Chargers, who have struggled against the run this season. The Chargers have allowed the second-most running back rushing touchdowns, 14 touchdowns. They have also allowed the most running back rushing yards in the league. Mixon will exploit the poor Chargers run defense.

Wide Receiver: 

Brandin Cooks: Brandin Cooks has been one of the few bright spots on the Texans this season. Cooks has 62 catches for 704 yards in eleven games thus far. This week, he is facing a Colts team that has struggled to defend receivers. The Colts have allowed the most wide receiver touchdowns and the sixth most wide receiver catches.

Tight End:  

Pat Friermuth: The rookie tight end from Penn State has been productive for the Steelers thus far. He has recorded 40 receptions and 6 touchdowns. He will have the chance for a big game against the Ravens this week. The Ravens have allowed the second-most receiving yards to tight ends and the fourth-most touchdowns to tight ends. They have allowed the fifth-most receptions to touch ends.

Busts of the Week   

Quarterback:  

Josh Allen: Josh Allen has been good this year for the Bills, but will be no match against the Patriots on Monday Night. After a down year in 2020, the Patriots have rebounded, with an 8-4 record, atop of the AFC East. The Patriots defense has allowed the least points per game this season, 15.8 ppg. They have allowed the 3rd least quarterback passing touchdowns, 14 touchdowns, an average of 1.16 per game. The Patriots have also historically caused Josh Allen trouble. Allen has a 56.38% completion percentage and a touchdown-interception ratio of 7-6 against New England. 

Running Back:

Ezekiel Elliott: Zeke started the season hot, averaging 77.8 yards a game through 8 games. However, the past three games have slowed down for him, now only averaging 32.7 yards per game. In addition, he is suffering from a lingering knee injury. Things will only get tougher for Elliott when he has to face the Saints on Thursday Night. The Saints have allowed the second least rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, 4 touchdowns. They have also allowed the third least rushing yards to running backs this season. 

Wide Receiver:  

Ja’Marr Chase: Jamar Chase has been one of the best wide receivers this year while in his rookie season. However, the Chargers will give Chase troubles on Sunday. The Chargers have allowed the second least wide receiver receiving yards and touchdowns in the league. They have also allowed the least wide receiver catches this season. Watch for the Bengals to have a more run-centric approach as the Chargers lock down Chase and the Bengals receivers. 

Tight End:  

Zach Ertz: Since being traded to the Cardinals, Zach Ertz has put up production he was lacking in Philadelphia the last few years. Ertz has averaged 4.4 catches for 53.8 yards in five games with the Cardinals. He also has three receiving touchdowns in that span. However, he will be facing a Bears defense that has covered tight ends well this season. The Bears have allowed the 3rd least tight end receiving yards and the 6th least tight end catches. 

Sources:

Fantasy Football Scoring Leaders. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://fantasy.espn.com/football/leaders?leagueId=0

Pro Football Statistics and history. Pro. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.pro-football-reference.com/.