2021 Fantasy Football: 5 Bold Predictions for NFL Week 17

Hopefully everyone is having a great holiday and staying safe. The NFL doesn’t stop, so it’s bold predictions time with Mark! Given the holiday spirits, I got some family help on the last three predictions for Week 17!

1. Tua Tagovailoa is a top 7 quarterback.

Justification: He’s currently ranked as the QB14 per FantasyPros, but he has been nothing short of electric lately. He has at least 17 points in four of his last five games, and this week he travels to Tennessee—a defense that has allowed quite a number of points to opposing QBs (Jimmy Garoppolo had 19 points against them last week).

2. Matt Ryan will throw for 100 more passing yards than Josh Allen.

Justification: Josh Allen is 7th in total yards this season and Matt Ryan is 11th, but Ryan throws for more yards per pass this season. Ryan is outdoing Allen in yards per attempt (7.1 to 7.0). If Buffalo gets up a bit, I think Atlanta starts airing the ball out. Ryan has over a 70% completion rate in two of his last four games. This is tricky, as the Bills limited the last two QBs they faced (Mac Jones & Cam Newton) each to under 160 yards.

3. Arizona will not only cover the +6 spread vs. Dallas but will also win on Sunday.

Justification: Were it not for the mighty Lions, Arizona would be undefeated on the road this season. They are still 7-1 as the visiting team, and while they are underdogs, they will beat Dallas in Arlington on Sunday.

4. Rex Burkhead (26% owned) is a top 15 running back.

Justification: Last week Burkhead rushed 22 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns as he filled in for injured starter David Johnson. The Houston Texans are in need of another shot in the arm during this disappointing season, and it can be provided by Burkhead moving the ball and moving the chains against the San Francisco 49ers.

5. The Browns remain in the hunt for the AFC North Title.

Justification: The Cleveland Browns remain a long shot to win the AFC North Division but will take a positive step forward by beating the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The current division-leading Cincinnati Bengals will not hold off the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. And finally, the struggling Baltimore Ravens will lose their fifth game in a row to the charging Los Angeles Rams.

YTD Grades:

A: 25
B: 7
C: 11
D: 26