Liz Loza and I hit four of our six combined fixtures last week, and we hit three of four on the Thanksgiving slate, including a really nice SGP from Liz on DJ Moore.
Things have been heating up lately, so let’s keep that money train rolling this week and don’t forget to catch Liz and I on ESPN Bet Live, Sunday morning on ESPN2 at 9:40am ET.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into our featured Week 13 accessories! — Daniel Dopp
Justin Herbert OVER 19.5 rushing yards (-125)
Crockery: Herbert’s arm strength has been a hotly debated topic. His astute mobility, however, has gone unnoticed. The Bolts quarterback currently ranks in the top 15 at the rushing position, averaging four carries and 19 rushing yards per game. His rushing production has increased of late, as the 26-year-old has rushed for at least 29 yards in four of his last five outings. That’s a trend that will likely continue in Atlanta on Sunday. The Falcons have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks, giving up an average of 28 rushing yards per game to the position. In what is projected to be a close game with just a one-point lead and with JK Dobbins sidelined, the entirety of Herbert’s abilities appear to be on full display. Expect him to use his arm and legs to great effect on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford OVER 249.5 passing yards and Kyren Williams to score TD (YES +150)
Crockery: Stafford ranks fifth at the position in pass attempts (35 per game) and sixth among QBs in passing yards per game (254.5). His numbers have increased considerably since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned to the field, as he has averaged over 280 passing yards per game since Week 8. In fact, Stafford has surpassed 250 passing yards in four of his last five games with The Week 12 tilt against Philadelphia is the only exception. The Eagles’ pass rush is undoubtedly more ferocious than the Saints’, meaning Stafford should have more time and space to get the ball downfield in Week 13.
New Orleans’ defense also struggles to stop the run, allowing 5.0 YPC to opposing offenses. The Saints have given up four rushing touchdowns to RBs in the team’s last three outings. Williams’ TDs have dropped since the aforementioned returns of Kupp and Nacua, but he found the end zone last week and given the matchup, he’s a solid bet to cross the goal line again in Week 13.
Accessories for runners
Bucky Irving OVER 76.5 rushing + receiving yards (-118)
Dopp: Despite the committee’s status in Tampa, Irving has been crushing it lately. He has gained at least 77 yards from scrimmage in five of the last six games, with the only exception being against a tough Chiefs defense, and has scored in four of those outings. He also owes much of that success to his work in the passing game, as he has had at least three receptions in five consecutive games. He clearly looks like the future of this Bucs backfield, and Todd Bowles hasn’t been shy about featuring the rookie this year.
Even with Rachaad White splitting time, Irving has carved out his own path to production and I don’t expect that to change against this Panthers team that has given up the second-most rushing yards this year. On top of that, Carolina has been middle-of-the-road against RBs in the passing game, with no major standout metrics in either direction when RBs have been targeted. With Tampa’s continued push to make the playoffs, as well as their reliance on the young rookie and an excellent defense to go up against, I expect Irving to hit that 77-yard mark again for the sixth time in seven games.
Rachaad White ANYTIME TD (+130)
Dopp: I know I just talked about Irving killing it, but let’s not forget White, who has also been pretty productive. White has found the end zone in every game since Week 7 and will now face a Panthers defense that has allowed 17 rushing touchdowns so far this year, second most in the NFL. They have also allowed two more receiving touchdowns to RBs, which bodes well for White and his ability to find the end zone.
After going scoreless in his first five games this year, he has scored six touchdowns in his last five games. This game lines up nicely for White to keep that touchdown train going. He is working hard, especially in the air, but he has also had five attempts to score goals in the last four weeks. I can’t tell you if he would find the end zone on the ground or in the air, but he should continue his touchdown streak in Week 13.
James Cook ANYTIME TD (-135)
Dopp: If you had told me earlier in the year that the San Francisco 49ers were going to let running backs find the end zone at the third-highest rate this year, I would have thought you were crazy. But that’s exactly where we are, as the Niners have allowed 16 rushing touchdowns this year and another two passing touchdowns to running backs. Meanwhile, we’ve seen a complete role reversal in Buffalo with James Cook leading the Bills in rushing touchdowns this year and not Josh Allen. Just a year ago, Allen scored 15 rushing touchdowns, much to the chagrin of fantasy football coaches. This year has been a completely different story with Cook tied for third among RBs with 11 total touchdowns. With Cook cooking and the 49ers defense looking nothing like the team we expected this year, give me Cook for a TD any time in this one.
Wide Receiver Accessories
Tee Higgins OVER 69.5 recreational yards (-125)
Crockery: When healthy, Higgins has played like a man possessed (or at least obsessed with securing his next contract), punting for 75 yards in each of his last four games. Interestingly, Higgins has outscored Ja’Marr Chase 57-51 in the six games the duo has played together. Higgins could, once again, lead the corps in appearance and Joey Porter Jr. will likely follow Chase. After a monster 9-148-1 effort and fully rested after the bye, Higgins has momentum on his side heading into a divisional switch on Sunday. With a projected point total of 47.5, it looks like there will be plenty of opportunities for the team’s No. 2 WR to shine, making a 5-70-0 stat line within reach.
