Week 13 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Flames: RB
Fantasy Forum: Ask Brad
Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.
Anthony Richardson, Colts
Start pct.
41% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Patriots
BetMGM line
Colts -2.5
BetMGM total
42.5 points
BetAlytics projection
N/A
Entering the season, Richardson was a fresh-from-the-factory, exotic sports car — a quarterback equipped with throttling horsepower, spinning wheels and the arm strength needed for motoring past the competition.
Believed to be a Jalen Hurts facsimile, the Colts quarterback had many fantasy pundits and followers positively giddy. For those who shelled out a coveted high draft pick to acquire his services, the dual threat was worth every pricey penny.
Then the season began.
Similar to the quaaludes scene in “Wolf of Wall Street,” the once-impeccable prized vehicle wrecked. Metaphorically wrapped around a tree, Richardson suffered a rapid statistical demolition that left many buyers sorely regretting their investments.
Richardson peeled out of the garage, posting 27.1 fantasy points in Week 1 against Houston, but after that, he accelerated off a cliff. An oblique injury temporarily derailed the second-year pro in Weeks 5 and 6. Then head coach Shane Steichen benched him for Joe Flacco, a veteran passer who predates the combustible engine.
After Flacco’s short-lived presence under center, Richardson, mercifully, regained his original gig in Week 11 and immediately recouped some lost value. Against the Puddle Jumpers from New York, he accumulated 304 total yards and three touchdowns, tallying 28.1 fantasy points.
However, he returned to his clunker ways in Week 12 by completing only 39.3% of his pass attempts for 172 yards. He ran for 61 yards but failed to find the end zone.
This week, Richardson backers are once again faced with an all too familiar fork in the road. Turn left, and a ruinous outcome is inevitable. But turn right, and fortune is bound to favor the bold.
Bank on the latter.
On Sunday, the Colts travel to Foxboro to tango with a New England defense consistently on the ropes. The Patriots are a miserable No. 30 in dropback EPA D, allowing 7.56 passing yards per attempt, 237.0 passing yards per game and a 20-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 12 games. They’ve only surrendered 111 rushing yards to QBs, but they haven’t faced a passer with a running willingness equivalent to Richardson’s.
Yes, he’s a threat to impale random patrons at an axe-throwing bar, ranking dead last among qualifying quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage (61.6). However, his across-the-board contributions and soft opponent point to a top-15 fantasy performance.
Turn the key.
Fearless Forecast: 203 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, 39 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 23.05 fantasy points
Week 13 Bonus Flame
Matthew Stafford, Rams
Start pct.
32% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Saints
Cooler temps may be the norm outside the Superdome, but inside the legendary building, the action is bound to feel like a midsummer sauna — prolific sweats included. Stafford, who oddly ran like a gazelle Sunday night against the Eagles, is sure to take off early and often through the air. New Orleans ranks No. 20 in dropback EPA defense, yielding 7.64 yards per attempt, 270.9 passing yards per game, 1.1 total touchdowns per game and the 13th-most fantasy points to QBs. Stafford has made a few oddly misguided throws this season, but with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp operating at full strength, he’s a highly trustworthy option. While a disgusting No. 30 in red-zone completion percentage, the Rams quarterback has scored at least 18 fantasy points in three of his last five contests. Just don’t bank on back-to-back positive yardage on the ground.
Fearless Forecast: 277 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 21.9 fantasy points
Season record: 15-8
GAMING JUICE FOOTER
WagerWire's Favorite Things from this Creator:
More: of Brad's Free Picks and Strategies
More Content: The Gaming Juice
We love The Gaming Juice, Check them out!
Caesars Offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10 Times
