Last week, our Fantrax fantasy football contributors absolutely crushed our bold prediction picks with players like Devin Singletary and Jayden Reed. We were nearly dead on with the touches, yards, and yes, we were right about them finding the end zone. Let’s keep the momentum into Week 12! These bold predictions won’t always have a 100% success rate, but should at least help sway decision-making for your dynasty, redraft, or even DFS lineups.
2023 NFL Week 12 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Bold Prediction: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown
17.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
Colin’s Breakdown: One of the biggest questions in Week 12 is whether or not to start Isaiah Likely. My bold prediction should answer that question. In the wake of the Mark Andrews injury, Isaiah Likely is going to see a major boost in snaps as the starting tight end. Last season, in two games without Mark Andrews, Likely put up 9.4 and 18.3 points in Points Per Reception formatting. The 18.3-point performance is a result of catching eight of 13 targets for 103 scoreless yards.
In Week 12, Likely gets a solid matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. They’re allowing the second-most receptions and yards to tight ends while yielding the ninth-most fantasy points to the position.
Mark Andrews leaves behind a 21% target share on the Ravens’ run-heavy offense. Lamar Jackson is averaging just north of 27 pass attempts per game which is why I only project Likely to log about five catches. Given the matchup, however, it could very well be more. Andrews is also one of the highest-targeted players in the red zone this season. If Likely assumes that role and attention from Lamar, he should project as a TE1 for the remainder of the season.
I’m excited to see Likely take advantage of the opportunity in front of him. If he hits on my Week 12 bold prediction, it will be on Sunday Night Football for all to see. Plug him into your lineup and enjoy.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bold Prediction: 17 carries, 70 yards; 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 touchdown
23.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Michael Reedy, @MikeReedyFF
Michael’s Breakdown: Rachaad White is averaging 18 touches per game this season. In Week 12, the Buccaneers play the Indianapolis Colts who give up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing teams running backs. Running backs are averaging 25 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown on the ground and another five receptions for 40 yards through the air. This is a plus match-up for White in a situation where he has already been a volume producer at running back. White is on a five-game streak of scoring 12 or more fantasy points. IF White gets the volume he will hit my bold prediction. Week 12 will be a major BOOM week for him.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 touchdown
19.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Nick Skrip, @P2Wfantasy
Skrip’s Breakdown: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow the fourth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and the second most passing yards per game this season. The easy player to benefit from this in Week 12 is Michael Pittman Jr., but I want to get spicy here with my “bounce-back of the week” and Week 12 bold prediction.
Josh Downs has trended in a poor direction, playing just 20 and 25% of the snaps in his last two games prior to the Bye. He also earned just four targets. The context of that is Downs has been dealing with a knee injury that he has continued to play through.
Downs had a hot stretch from Weeks 3 through Week 8 where he ranked 19th in targets, 13th in receptions, 13th in receiving yards, and tied for 14th in total fantasy points. Gardner Minshew played a majority of all but one of those games. I have a feeling the Week 11 Bye is what Downs’ knee needed. More importantly, in Week 12, he gets back to playing heavy snaps and capitalizes on a plus matchup.
Thanksgiving Day Bold Predictions
One Player From Each Game Who Could Make Your Holiday
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
- Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
- Reed is starting to come alive at the right time for fantasy football. He has 83 or more all-purpose yards and/or a touchdown in four of his last five games. So, it shouldn’t surprise you that he’s averaging 13.8 points per game in that span. He’s averaging 19.3 over his last two. Now, with Aaron Jones out at the running back position, and A.J. Dillon dealing with a groin injury, I think Reed could continue to see an increase in rush attempts out of the Packers backfield. With the expectation of playing from behind against the Lions, Reed should be busy on Thanksgiving Day. I think he racks up 100 all-purpose yards on double-digit touches and finds the end zone again.
- Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
- You shouldn’t need me to tell you Dak Prescott is in for a big Thanksgiving Day. This bold prediction is more for your Daily Fantasy Sports lineups or perhaps some holiday sports bets. Prescott is hosting the Commanders who are allowing the most points in the NFL through the first 11 weeks. They lead the league in passing touchdowns allowed (24) and are second in passing yards allowed (2999) this season. Prescott has 13 passing touchdowns in four games since the bye with over 300 yards in three of them. I think he has another 300-yard game in him to start Week 12 and tosses three more scores, as well.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
- Charbonnet’s 21 touches in Week 11 account for 29% of his touches for his entire rookie season thus far. Once Kenneth Walker left the game with an oblique injury, Charbonnet finally got his chance to be the lead back. He will get another opportunity to do so again in Week 12. The 49ers are a tough matchup, but I’m willing to start Charbonnet as a volume-based RB2 with upside. I predict 100 total yards on 25 touches with a touchdown.
More Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty