Week 13 bold predictions: Damien Harris runs over the Chargers

Just a refresher: I will provide 5 bold predictions each week. I will grade those 5 bold picks on the old elementary scale of grades A-D. This weird players in and out over the last couple weeks is causing havoc on me.

Onto my Week 13 bold predictions.

1. Russell Wilson will finish outside the top 10 vs. the New York Giants

Justification: Wilson is listed as a top three quarterback but he faces a formidable Giants defense who has limited opposing quarterbacks to less than two touchdowns over the last three contests. In fact only Ben Roethlisberger back in Week 1 has scored more than two touchdowns against them. Even rushing they have limited each quarterback to less than 20 yards, it should be a good game to watch. Chris Carson being back in the lineup should limit Wilsons usage a bit as well.

2. Michael Pittman Jr. will be a top 12 WR vs. the Houston Texans

Justification: Pittman is facing a team that has allowed nine touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over the last six games. Pittman struggled a bit retaining passes last week vs. Tennessee but he has now been targeted 20 times over the last three games bringing in 12 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown.

3. Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets over/under is 47, give me the over at 51

Justification: I reeeeally wanted to go under on this until I dug into some facts. These two teams on defense have allowed the 4th and 5th most points to opposing teams. The Raiders have scored at least 30 points in their last four consecutive games and they have scored 40+ points in two of their last four road games. When the Jets have faced a below average defense here is how much they have scored: 28, 27 and 28.

4. Damien Harris will be a top 10 RB vs Los Angeles Chargers

Justification: After a buzz saw of a rush defense in Arizona, Harris, who actually looks like the main running back for Patriots, will rebound. Prior to last week, Harris rushed for an average of 84 yards per game over the last five games with two touchdowns to boot. Facing a Chargers defense that has allowed seven touchdowns to opposing running backs, not to mention four 80+ yard performances, I think he can thrive.

5. Austin Hooper will be a top 5 TE vs. Tennessee Titans

Justification: Cleveland is facing Tennessee who have allowed tight ends to score in three of their last four games. Hooper scored for the first time since Week 4 last week and will look to build upon that red zone success. (He was held scoreless for a few weeks in Cleveland due to inclement weather limiting any passing game.)

Week 12 Outcome

1. Tom Brady is listed 12th, he will be a top 5 QB this week. Outcome: 345 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs was good enough for a top 5 QB. Grade A.

2. DJ Moore is listed as the 19th best WR, he will finish inside the top 10. Outcome: He finished 45th BUT if you watched the game, two VERY catchable balls in the endzone were missed and either one of those would have vaulted him up. Grade D.

3. New Orleans Saints vs. Denver Broncos has an over/under of 43.5pts. Give me the over at 48.5pts. Outcome: 34 points. Would have helped to have a player who is usually listed as QB for Denver (Found out after this was submitted). Grade D.

4. Aaron Jones is listed as the 3rd best RB, he will finish outside the top 12. Outcome: Jones finished 26^th with 90 rushing yards. Grade A.

5.) Tyler Eifert scores his first TD of the season. Outcome: He scored a TD. Grade A.

2020 Grades:

Grade A: 20 times
Grade B: 9 times
Grade C: 7 times
Grade D: 24 times