4 Fantasy Football Bold Predictions: Week 17 (2022)

“The bold adventurer succeeds the best.”
-Ovid

It’s time for weekly bold predictions.

The point here is that if you follow the consensus, you’re probably going to have a good team. But in order to go from good to great, you have to take some chances. You have to do your homework and figure out where you can zig when the rest of your league (or at least your opponent this week) zags. In short, you need to know how and when to be bold.

We asked our analysts to provide a bold prediction for Week 17. Their answers and justifications are below.

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Week 17 Bold Predictions

D’Andre Swift BLOWS UP as a top-10 fantasy RB
Swift started for the Lions and played a team-high 56% snap share among Detroit running backs in Week 16. He rushed just 4 times for 12 yards and caught one of his 5 targets (2 RZ targets, 45% opportunity share). The snap increase also coincided with Jamaal Williams exiting in the 3rd quarter with a leg injury. Should Williams be limited in any fashion, Swift would reap the rewards versus the Bears defense that ranks 6th in fantasy points allowed to RBs since Week 6 — allowing a league-worst 5.3 yards per carry.
– Andrew Erickson

Jahan Dotson Outscores Mike Evans
Yes, I’m back at it again, taking shots at Mike Evans. Despite “good” matchups, the Bucs offense is completely inept. Jahan Dotson has been on a nice roll, and you know, regardless of which QB plays for the Commanders, Dotson will get looks and has TD equity.
– Joe Pisapia

Richie James posts a WR1 week
Since Week 13, James has led the team with a 21.8% target share. He’s also managed a 74.1% route run rate and 1.73 yards per route run. James has seen a red zone target in five of his last six games. He’s been balling out with WR2 weeks in four of his last six games (WR19, WR24, WR14, WR16). James will run about 86% of his routes against Julian Blackmon (81% catch rate, 138.5 passer rating, per PFF). He faces a secondary that, since Week 11, has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing slot receivers.
– Derek Brown

Dalvin Cook runs for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers
Dalvin Cook’s mouth starts watering when he sees green and gold. In eight career games against the Packers, Cook has nine touchdowns and has averaged 108.4 yards from scrimmage. Green Bay’s run defense ranks dead last in DVOA and is giving up 5.0 yards per carry to running backs. Expect Cook to trample the Green Bay defense this Sunday in Lambeau Field.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

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