Hello everyone. The voices behind this column and our podcasts are Ben Horwitz, Aaron Stalkfleet and Jacob Williamson. We are current seniors, and involved in various things (and sports) at City. Our shared love of football and aggressive competitiveness is what initially inspired this column. Each week we plan to put out a different fantasy football prediction/analysis for the next NFL week. We appreciate your support and will be competing to see who has the best analysis.

This week we are doing a Boom/Bust analysis. We randomly pick the players below for this week’s games, and we each get to predict whether we think they will go above (Boom) or below (Bust) their ESPN fantasy projections. We each pick two players from each position group. We make picks based on matchups, personal opinion, and player projection. After the first week, we will be keeping track of our personal records of our predictions throughout the season. 

OUR RECORDS THROUGH 12 WEEKS (TOOK A BREAK FROM FF PICKS WEEK 12)

Ben: 40-40 

Jacob: 38-42 

Aaron: 36-47 

This weeks (13) possible choices:

(All based on ESPN projections)

QB Jalen Hurts 23.7 pts @ NYJ

QB Matthew Stafford 19.9 pts vs JAX
QB Kyler Murray 19.1 pts @ CHI
QB Tua Tagovailoa 16.6 pts vs NYG

RB Jonathon Taylor 24.4 pts @ HOU

RB Leonard Fournette 18.8 pts @ ATL
RB Alexander Mattison 18.0 pts @ DET

RB Elijah Mitchell 15.4 pts @ SEA

WR Tyreek Hill 19.7 pts vs DEN

WR Justin Jefferson 17.9 pts @ DET
WR Brandon Aiyuk 14.3 pts @ SEA
WR Tee Higgins 13.7 pts vs LAC

TE Rob Gronkowski 12.9 pts @ ATL

TE Foster Moreau 10.1 pts vs WSH
TE Noah Fant 9.7 pts @ KC
TE Dawson Knox 9.4 pts vs NE

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Aaron’s Picks Week 13

(Total Record 36-47) 

It seems like it was forever ago, but I went 3-5 two weeks ago. I am still looking to go 4-4 or better and I am going to need to in order to catch up to my counterparts, Ben and Jacob. 

QB Jalen Hurts 23.7 pts @ NYJ – BOOM

This is a really tough decision because I always think that QBs with a high projection playing against a bad team never goes well. I think Hurts booms because of his ability to make plays on his feet. That should give him the nod to just barely get over the 23.7 pt mark. It should also be noted that Hurts has surprisingly jumped to #2 among fantasy QBs in terms of total points.

QB Kyler Murray 19.1 pts @ CHI – BOOM
Kyler is supposedly back for the first time in 5 weeks and I think 19.1 points is very manageable for a QB that can score 20 on any given night. Kyler booms in a matchup in Chicago against the Bears. I think 275-300 passing yards and two-three touchdown passes should be enough to get him over the mark. Regardless of whether he booms the exact amount of 19.1, he should have a good performance and starting him in your leagues is a wise decision. 

RB Elijah Mitchell 15.4 pts @ SEA – BOOM

Elijah Mitchell is coming off the best performance of his career putting up an astounding 27.8 points last week against the Minnesota Vikings. I really like Mitchell as a RB and I really liked him during his college days at Louisiana-Lafayette. In any case, Mitchell booms this week against a terrible Seahawks defense. I think he follows up on last week and booms this week again 15.4.

RB Alexander Mattison 18.0 pts @ DET – BOOM

Mattison has scored over 18.0 points twice this year. He had 26.30 against Detroit in the teams first meeting this year and 23.1 against the seahawks. Without Dalvin Cook this week, I like Mattison to take over the offense for a Vikings team that is looking for a win. As previously mentioned, Mattison put up 26.3 against Detroit earlier in the year. That should be valued immensely if you are on the fence of whether or not you think a backup RB should get the start as a low-high end RB2. I would argue he is an RB1 this week and this is a high-confidence selection.   

WR Brandon Aiyuk 14.3 pts @ SEA – BUST

Aiyuk is coming off of 12.50 and 21.50 point performances against the Vikings and Jaguars. Along with the fact that Deebo Samuel is out this week, his last performances make this selection hard. Samuel’s injury would make one think Aiyuk gets a lot of targets. While that may be true, because I already have Elijah Mitchell booming and they’re on the same team, I am gonna go with Aiyuk busting expecting Mitchell and George Kittle to take over that 49ers offense. It should be close, though.

WR Tyreek Hill 19.7 pts vs DEN – BUST
Denver’s secondary has been on a great stretch this season. I think Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, Pat Surtain, Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons make it hard on Hill to get 19.7 points. This projection of Hill busting isn’t so much about him but more about the aforementioned Denver defense that he will be facing. Hill gets close but falls short of 19.7. 

TE Rob Gronkowski 12.9 pts @ ATL – BOOM

Gronk was out weeks 4-10 before coming back weeks 11 and 12 and scoring a combined 32.4 points. I like Gronk to be Brady’s best friend yet again this week, riding his hot stretch and boom his 12.9 point total projection. 

TE Foster Moreau 10.1 pts vs WSH – BUST

This is as classic of a TE prediction as it gets. Little to no information for you to decide on. Moreau is projected 10.1 points this week with Raider #1 TE Darren Waller ruled out. I think Moreau busts, barely as I don’t see him getting involved enough in the passing game. This is a, “your guess is as good as mine” type of projection. Hopefully, for the sake of the game, Moreau busts and fails to reach is 10.1 pt projection. 

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Jacob’s Picks Week 13

(Total Record 38-42) 

It’s been almost two weeks since our last breakdown, with that being said I am closer than ever to getting to first place in our standings. With this week’s picks and lots of favorable matchups, I am confident I’ll be in first place after this week.

QB Kyler Murray 19.1 pts @ CHI – BOOM

After being out the past couple of weeks due to an ankle injury, Murray is back this week against the Bears. This couldn’t be a better game to come back for as the Bears are one of the most dysfunctional teams in the league. Things might be a little rusty to start off, but I see the Cardinals returning to their top form this week with their star quarterback being back in action.

QB Matthew Stafford 19.9 pts vs JAX – BOOM

Stafford had a game to forget last week against the Packers throwing a pick six and multiple questionable throws throughout the game. With that being said, I see him having a bounce back week against one of the worst teams in the league in the Jaguars. 

RB Jonathon Taylor 24.4 pts @ HOU – BOOM

Ever since Derrick Henry got hurt in week 8, Taylor has cemented himself as the clear number 1 running back in fantasy this season. From the amount of touches he gets per game to the amount of touchdowns he has scored, it is almost impossible for me to say he won’t go over his high point total. Anytime you have a running back who can score you upwards of 50 points in fantasy, he is always in consideration for going over his projected point total.

RB Leonard Fournette 18.8 pts @ ATL – BOOM

Fournette added 4 touchdowns to his name last week against the Colts. This week Fournette and the Bucs play the Falcons who have one of the worst defenses in the league. With Fournette having a career game last week, I see him continuing to be a part of this offense and going over his point total this week against the Colts. 

WR Tee Higgins 13.7 pts vs LAC – BUST

Even though Higgins had arguably the best game of his career last week against the Steelers, I see him going under his point total this week. The Chargers are one of the top teams in the league(unlike the steelers) and have an above average secondary. I see this being another Ja’Marr Chase type of week for the Bengals. Higgins might get a couple targets, but for the most part I see the Bengals trying to win through their number 1 receiver in Ja’Marr Chase.

WR Tyreek Hill 19.7 pts vs DEN – BOOM

Although the Chiefs have had a down year, Hill has continued to be one of the top wide receivers in the league. Hill averages a cool 21.3 pts per game, and with the Chiefs trying to get back in the playoff contention I see Hill having a monster week against a division rival in the Broncos.

TE Noah Fant 9.7 pts @ KC – BUST

Most people would pick any offensive player to have an above average game against the Chiefs and their defense. With all things considered I still have Fant busting this week. Tight ends are always the toughest position to pick due to the schemes that their teams run. Fant might have a couple targets this week, but nothing major.

TE Foster Moreau 10.1 pts vs WSH – BUST

With one of the league’s top tight ends being out this week in Darren Waller, Foster Moreau has a chance to make a name for himself this week. Although the Raiders rely heavily on their tight ends in their offense. When you have your back up playing in any given week, it becomes more of a toss up as to whether he is involved or not. Although Moreau could have a big game this weekend, I just don’t see it happening. 

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Ben’s Picks Week 13

(Total Record 40-40)

It has been a long two weeks since a fantasy post, and I am sad to announce that I have reached average. Slowly I have gone from being the far and away best analyst to barely grasping onto first place. I desperately need a great week, so I am gonna really dial in here. We have some fun games and interesting players on the table which means tough predictions, but I’m confident in these picks.

QB Matthew Stafford 19.9 pts vs JAX – BOOM
Stafford’s MVP form during the Rams 7-1 start is long gone. He has been below average lately, throwing pick-sixes in three consecutive games. The Rams desperately need a win, and they will get one with the Jaguars this week. I see no scenario where the Jags steal a win, and Stafford will hopefully have a field day, which means big things for the entire Rams offense. 

QB Tua Tagovailoa 16.6 pts vs NYG – BOOM

Dolphins are getting hot, and Tua has looked surprisingly solid. He gets a lot of flack for his play, when he has been pretty decent thus far. When healthy, he makes the Miami offense a threat, and I don’t think the Giants can slow them down. The 16.6 point projection is slightly disrespectful, and I see Tua comfortably reaching 20 points. 

RB Jonathon Taylor 24.4 pts @ HOU – BOOM

We are watching Jonathon Taylor become one of the league’s top backs every single week. He has blossomed into a great player, and one of the most lovable players in the entire league. The Colts will always look to run it down your throat, and Taylor has been reminding me of Derrick Henry, as he sets the tempo for the whole game. One thing about Taylor is he also loves to play well against bad teams, and the Texans are in for a rough one this week. I could see him reach 150 rush yards, and hopefully tack on a couple touchdowns as well. 

RB Alexander Mattison 18.0 pts @ DET – BOOM

Mattison has transformed from an irrelevant backup to a great RB1 this week thanks to Dalvin Cook’s injury. Every time he has to fill the spot, he performs, as both times this year he has surpassed 100 yards rushing. He also is a solid passing threat, and we all know Kirk Cousins. On paper what is there not to love, I have to go boom against a very average Lions defense. 

WR Brandon Aiyuk 14.3 pts @ SEA – BUST
The 49ers have been one of my favorite teams in the past three weeks. Kyle Shanahan’s strategic run-heavy offense is devastating for most defenses, and recently they look like they can beat anyone. However, the Seahawks have had a knack to play in low scoring games, and I don’t see much opportunity for Aiyuk to be a focal point. I could easily see him coming in around 12 points. 

WR Tee Higgins 13.7 pts vs LAC – BUST

Higgins is coming off a 23 point game against the Steelers, but I have him coming in under his projection. I don’t love the Bengals matchup in general, and I think it will be the other Bengals wide receivers, Ja’marr Chase in particular, who shine. I like Higgins, I think he is one of the better WR2’s in the league, but I don’t love him this week. 

TE Noah Fant 9.7 pts @ KC – BUST

Something about the Broncos playing against the Chiefs in Kansas City is setting off alarm bells in my head. I hope for nothing more than the Broncos to march into Arrowhead Stadium and get a win, but past games are too fresh in my mind to think that. I worry it won’t be any of the Broncos pass-catcher’s day, but who knows I could be wrong. 

TE Dawson Knox 9.4 pts vs NE – BUST

The Patriots are the hottest team in the NFL at the moment, with six wins straight putting them in the #2 spot in the AFC. This is a communal effort from offense and defense, but their defense is especially standing out to me. They are tough, and stick to the game plan. Bill Belichick hates mistakes and his players are the most disciplined guys you can hope for. I see the Patriots getting an important win in the AFC East race and shutting down Knox.