THE PROGNOSTICATOR: Week 13

The Dallas Cowboys are a different team today than they were just three weeks ago. What has changed is that instead of predictably just handing the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott they are now leveraging Amari Cooper and the rest of the receiving game. It finally makes Dallas a better team just because they aren’t as predictable as they once were. The downside for fantasy players however, is that Ezekiel Elliott‘s value has taken a bit of a hit lately and against the Saints, it won’t get any better. The Saints are most susceptible when trying to defend the pass and Dallas will try to exploit their secondary.

Favorite: New Orleans Saints by 7.5
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 37 – Dallas Cowboys 24

The lines makers haven’t caught up to Buffalo yet and still discredit them as a bad team and while neither one of these teams would be considered good, it’s the Bills that are better than many give them credit for. Like last week, we had the Bills winning outright which was an upset and the Bills won. There’s nothing different here as the Bills will run the ball exceedingly well with LeSean McCoy and they will battle their way to victory. Steer clear of your Dolphins this week, there will be nothing of value to play in any of your lineups.

Favorite: Miami Dolphins by 5.5
Prediction: Buffalo Bills 21 – Miami Dolphins 20

If Cincinnati had both Andy Dalton and A.J. Green available, they would be able to compete in this game but with Andy Dalton gone for the year and A.J. Green questionable, it is going to be an uphill climb for the Bengals. Denver will be able to run the ball with authority so do not forget about Phillip Lindsay in this one.

Favorite: Denver Broncos by 4.5
Prediction: Denver Broncos 24 – Cincinnati Bengals 23

The wheels have come off in Jacksonville. Blake Bortles will be holding a clipboard and their star running back Leonard Fournette will be serving his one-game suspension for fighting. The only play from the Jacksonville side would be Carlos Hyde as while it’s not a cream puff matchup, there should be opportunity, particularly when you consider that the game plan will feature more running plays to try to keep the pressure off the quarterback.

Indianapolis should have played a lot better last week in a close game against Miami and are the superior team here. Expect a lot of Andrew Luck to all of his receivers including tight end Eric Ebron who no longer will need to compete for targets with Jack Doyle going on the IR. Marlon Mack too could work in a pinch if you are looking for a flex play this week to round out your lineup but he may be sidelined with a concussion though he did practice Thursday.

Favorite: Indianapolis Colts by 4
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 31 – Jacksonville Jaguars 23

Neither team will play all that well offensively. Chicago will keep the Giants on their heels as Eli Manning will struggle to find any sort of time to throw with the relentless Chicago pass rush. You play Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham, they’re too good not to but it’s going to be a difficult week for both. The Bears will confuse the New York defense by spreading the ball around to everyone. It will reduce the fantasy potential of the Chicago offense but as a team, they will play well enough to win, leaving very little doubt as to who the better team was.

Favorite: Chicago Bears by 4.5
Prediction: Chicago Bears 33 – New York Giants 24