After making bold predictions all season long, our Fantrax writers know what’s at stake as you read what we have in store we Week 17. If you have tough lineup decisions, hopefully, one or more of our bold predictions help push you in the right direction. Our track record is pretty good and hopefully these are our best bold predictions of the season that help you win your league’s title.
2022 NFL Week 17 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders
Bold Prediction: 23 rushes, 120 yards, 1 touchdown
18.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
Colin’s Breakdown: With Antonio Gibson on the wrong side of questionable, it looks like Brian Robinson is in line for a massive workload in Week 17. In fact, I may be too modest in my bold prediction numbers as he could very well have 27 or more carries, which would be a career-high. If not, I still love Robinson and his chances to have a career-high in rushing yards against a porous Cleveland Browns run defense.
The Commanders will host the Browns this Sunday and try to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Browns defense allows the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. They’re allowing an average of one rushing touchdown per game to the position which is tied for the third-highest average in the league. Additionally, Cleveland allows the sixth-most rushing yards to running backs, as well.
Carson Wentz will be back under center for Washington in his first start since early October. Given the matchup, and Wentz’s lackluster play, I think he will hand the ball off a ton this weekend. My bold prediction covers what I think Robinson is capable of on the ground, but think he will add a few points to his fantasy championship score as a receiver, too.
D.J. Chark, WR, Detroit Lions
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 100 yards, 1 touchdown
22.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Lauren Auerbach, @lkauerbach on Twitter
Lauren’s Breakdown: D.J. Chark has over 90 receiving yards in three of the last four games, and is the Lions’ second-most targeted wideout over that span. He’s benefitted from a high-powered offense that has been on fire of late. Over the past four games, the Lions have racked up the second-most passing yards, and Chark’s 318 receiving yards over that stretch rank as 13th-most among the position. He should keep rolling this week in a favorable home matchup against Chicago.
The Lions are likely reeling from their Week 16 loss to the Panthers – a loss that knocked them out of command for a wildcard spot. They now need to win out (and rely on help from other teams) in order to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The motivation is there for Jared Goff and company to rise to the challenge this week. The Bears allow the 12th-most fantasy points to the position, with five wideouts scoring at least 14 PPR points in their past four games. This game has the highest expected point total on the Week 17 slate, and I love Chark as a big-play threat in this one. For my bold prediction, I like Chark to hit the century mark in receiving yards and find the end zone.
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bold Prediction: 10 receptions, 125 yards, 1 touchdown
28.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Bradlee Kilgore, @SirBradleeK on Twitter
Bradlee’s Breakdown: Relying on Zay Jones in your league’s championship game is a risk. After scoring just 2.1 points in the semi-finals, after 34.9 the week before, you’re lucky to even be in your league’s championship game. My bold prediction claims Jones will have one of his more explosive weeks with a bounce-back performance.
The Houston Texans are giving up the seventh-most points per game this season and the third-most at home. Jacksonville will head there with a good chance to put up points. If you can believe it, the Jaguars have lost nine straight against the Texans, as well, so a revenge narrative is in play.
Specifically with Jones, though, he is leading the Jaguars in targets (45) since their Week 11 bye with an average of nine per game. And though the Texans are horrible against the run, Jacksonville ranks inside the top 10 in pass attempts over the last three weeks, as well as 2022 as a whole. I think, as their top target, Jones is worth trusting in the fantasy finals as a top receiver for Week 17.
Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Bold Prediction: 20 rushes, 99 yards, 2 touchdowns
21.9 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Michael Quintero, @WeekendMike on Twitter
Michael’s Breakdown: The Los Angeles Rams have scored eight offensive touchdowns in their last three games with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Cam Akers accounts for four of those eight touchdowns. He is coming off of a career-best 118-yard and three-touchdown effort in Week 16. My bold prediction is he adds two more touchdowns and solidifies himself as a league winner.
In the battle of Los Angeles, the Rams will technically be the away team, but playing in their shared home stadium against the Chargers. Teams are rushing against the Chargers at the ninth-highest rate per game and they’ve allowed the second-most rushing yards to opposing running backs. They are tied as the sixth-best matchup for running backs in fantasy football.
After requesting a trade and sitting out earlier this season, Akers is fresh with just 148 rushing attempts this season. He has 47 total attempts since Mayfield took over, which is nearly one-third of his attempts on the season. Ride the hot hand and make sure Akers is in your lineup. He got you to the fantasy finals, now let him win it for you.
Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 16 rushes, 88 yards, 1 touchdown
14.8 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Reese Jones, @PotPharma on Twitter
Reese’s Breakdown: If Damien Harris is active this week, I think you can trust him. He’s been nothing but trustworthy when healthy this season. Unlike his counterpart, Rhamondre Stevenson (questionable), who I’m sure is in Bill Belichick’s doghouse following an untimely fumble last week. Stevenson actually coughed the ball twice, but the Pats were able to recover one.
Although things are seemingly falling apart for the Patriots, their playoff hopes aren’t completely dead yet. In fact, they’re in the same boat as their Week 17 opponent, Miami, who also lost last week. The winner of this week’s matchup controls their destiny as all they would need is a Week 18 win to clinch a playoff spot.
If this week resembles Week 1 then Harris should turn in a fine outing. In their first meeting, Harris was able to churn out a very solid 5.3 yards per carry. Despite Mac Jones’ pleas to throw the ball more, the offense really hasn’t been stable through the air. If healthy and active, I expect Bill to ride his trusty veteran to the playoffs.
There is a good chance that Harris is available in your league as teams could not afford to hold on to him. Playing Harris this week would be risky, but could come with great rewards. It’s my bold prediction that Harris ends the game with 16 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown.