Fantasy Football: 4 Bold Predictions for Week 16

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Football is one of the most intense, exciting sports on the planet. The source of the now-ubiquitous saying "Any Given Sunday," the NFL is a place where even struggling teams have a chance to topple the best in the league. Anything can happen when you only play 17 regular season games a year.

That uncertainty is a huge driver behind the excitement the NFL generates each and every season. What's more fun than watching something totally unexpected unfold before your eyes?

That's why, this year, we'll be bringing you four bold predictions to watch for each week of the 2023 NFL season.

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NFL Bold Predictions for Week 16

Justin Jefferson Will Finish as the Overall WR1

It's been quite a while since we've seen a true Justin Jefferson WR1 game.

After missing seven straight weeks with a serious hamstring injury, his highly-anticipated return to the field in Week 14 was cut woefully short when a second-quarter Joshua Dobbs hospital pass literally sent him to the hospital.

The Minnesota Vikings' star receiver -- who was the first overall pick in many fantasy football leagues this summer -- was fortunately able to return to practice quickly from that injury and started to look like himself against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. He caught 7 of his 10 targets in that game for 84 yards, a positive sign that he's close to full health again.

Now with a few full weeks of practice and a healthy game under his belt, Jefferson is primed for a top fantasy finish in Week 16. He'll get a chance to put his season back on track against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts (30.0) this season.

Jefferson's 10 targets from quarterback Nick Mullens are a positive indicator of future fantasy performance, but his 54.7% air yards share in the Vikings' offense was the third-highest rate of any player in the league last week. Even with players like Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson running routes, Jefferson was clearly the team's top priority.

With another full week of practices together, Mullens will help Jefferson ascend back to the tops of the fantasy wide receiver leaderboards in Week 16 with an overall WR1 performance.

Baker Mayfield Will Have a Second Straight 300-Yard Day

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield played out of his mind in Week 15. The former first overall pick, now on his fourth NFL team in the last three seasons, was lights out against the Green Bay Packers, completing 22 of 28 passes (78.6%) for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in the victory. The Bucs are now -162 favorites to take down the NFC South, according to the FanDuel Sportsbook's Division Betting odds market.

It seems like Baker has a chance to keep the good times rolling in Week 16 as the Bucs take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose defense has allowed an average of 26.2 points per game to their opponents since coming out of their Week 9 bye.

For context, only the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals have allowed more points per game this year, putting the Jaguars' recent stretch alongside some truly troubling company. This slide has brought their season-long yards per play allowed up to a 5.6-yard mark, the fourth-highest in the league.

What once looked like a stout defense is becoming one to bookmark for fantasy matchups. They've allowed a league-most 22.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks since their bye.

The Bucs look like they're turning a corner and gearing up for a playoff push. They've won three straight games while averaging 28 points per game. Mayfield finally remembered he can throw to Chris Godwin. He'll capitalize on the Jaguars' defensive struggles and notch a second straight 300-yard performance.

Raheem Mostert Will Score Rushing Touchdowns 19 and 20

The Buffalo Bills figured something out in Week 15 -- you can beat the Dallas Cowboys on the ground.

Running back James Cook had a career day against the Cowboys' once-feared defense, constantly beating them to the edge and totaling an absurd 179 rushing yards on 25 carries (7.2 yards per carry). In addition to scoring once on the ground, he added another 42 yards and another touchdown on his 2 receptions.

The Bills exposed a flaw in the Cowboys' defense last Sunday, and it's one the Miami Dolphins are exceptionally capable of exploiting.

If the Cowboys struggled trying to contain Cook last week, they'll hate trying to bottle up the Dolphins' explosive rushing attack. The Dolphins' backfield has been carving opposing defenses up all year by turning running plays into foot races to the edge. They are averaging 5.1 rushing yards per attempt (1st in the NFL) this year.

Cook's career game saw him handle 14 carries on zone running plays -- the most the Bills have run in any game this season. On Miami, 134 of Raheem Mostert's 198 carries and 37 of De'Von Achane's 72 carries have been called zone running plays. Cook accomplished his impressive Week 15 performance by dabbling in the zone scheme -- the Dolphins have been practicing it all year.

Mostert is already up to an impressive 18 rushing touchdowns (and 20 total touchdowns) on the season and is perfectly set up for another outstanding game in Week 16.

The Dolphins seem to be aware of the rare territory he's entering touchdown-wise, as with one more score this week, he could become the 15th player in NFL history to score 19 rushing touchdowns in a single season. With two more scores, his name would land just beside Larry Johnson's on the all-time leaderboards (11th place).

In Week 15 they repeatedly subbed out Achane once they entered the red zone, making sure Mostert handled as many rushing attempts near the end zone as possible. That included the drive that notched their first touchdown of the day, which saw Mostert handle touches on back-to-back-to-back plays at the one-yard line.

It seems like they're scheming to get Mostert as high as possible onto that all-time leaderboard, and it will help him score two more touchdowns on the ground against the Cowboys this weekend.

FanDuel's Christmas MVP (+550) Week 16 Special Will Hit

Each week, the FanDuel Sportsbook posts a number of specials pertinent to the upcoming weekend of NFL action. They've posted 14 such specials for Week 16, which you can check out on the FanDuel Christmas Specials market.

With 14 different options to consider, it's worth taking a look at the selections on offer, but one prop in particular stands out to me. That's the Christmas MVP Special, which requires Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson to combine for four or more passing touchdowns and at least one rushing touchdown during the San Francisco 49ers' highly anticipated game against the Baltimore Ravens.

This one could be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII next February. The 49ers (+220) and the Ravens (+550) have the best and second-best Super Bowl odds this season. And depending on the results of the Dallas Cowboys' match against the Miami Dolphins, the winner of this one could even lock up a coveted bye for the first round of the playoffs. It's safe to say both teams will be pulling out all the stops here in what looks like the game of the week, and these two MVP frontrunners have been on a tear this year.

Since the 49ers' Week 9 bye, Purdy has been lights out. He's covered the four-plus touchdowns part of this special on his own twice in that six-game stretch, has thrown just two interceptions total, and is averaging 2.8 scores per game.

The juggernaut that is the 49ers' offense has averaged 34 points per game in their wins this year and hasn't lost when left tackle Trent Williams has played. He's playing on Monday, meaning the 49ers should be putting plenty of points on the board even against the Ravens' strong defense.

On the flip side, the 49ers are relatively banged-up on defense Multiple starters are still on the injured reserve, and a significant number of their defensive lineman are dealing with injuries. An offense like the Ravens -- which is averaging 5.8 yards per play (fourth-best) -- should be able to take advantage of that fact.

Meanwhile, Jackson's Ravens look like an offense that is starting to gel together after its first shakeup at offensive coordinator since Jackson took over. He's averaging 221.8 passing yards per game (second-most of his career) while his 7.8 adjusted yards per attempt this year trails only the ridiculous 8.9 mark he set in his MVP campaign.

His young receivers like Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Isaiah Likely have stepped up recently, and veteran receiver Odell Beckham is finally looking healthier and like his old self again. Jackson should be able to land a touchdown pass in at least one of those players' hands on Monday while the team's most recent running back injury could put the ball in Jackson's hands more often in the red zone. He hasn't scored a rushing touchdown since Week 7, so it's about time for him to find the end zone with his feet.

Despite the strong defenses involved in this one, these two quarterbacks should be able to combine their efforts to reach the four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown needed to hit this Christmas MVP prop.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.