Players like Chicago’s D.J. Moore and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs balled out in early games, and we expect nothing less from these players to close out Week 13.
Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers
Running back Jonathon Brooks, the Panthers' second-round pick in this year’s draft, made his long-awaited debut against the Chiefs last week but had just two carries for seven yards and a mere .7 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Hubbard, the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher and proud owner of a new four-year, $33M contract, fought for 58 tough yards and a score against a tough Chiefs defense.
He also scored on a two-point conversion, giving him 15.0 fantasy points for the day. This week, he’ll face a rival Buccaneers team giving up the seventh-most fantasy points per game (25.1) to running backs this year. Hubbard ran for 187 yards and two scores against Tampa Bay last season and should have no problem finding the end zone in Week 13.
C.J. Stroud (QB) Houston Texans
When we last saw Stroud, he was running for his life behind a porous offensive line while giving up a game-winning safety to the Titans. Somehow, he still threw for 247 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a respectable 17.6 fantasy points.
He also took four sacks, something he won’t have to worry about against the Jaguars this week. Not only does Jacksonville give up the most fantasy points per game (23.3), it has registered the fifth-fewest sacks of any NFL team. Stroud threw for a season-high 345 yards with two touchdowns against the Jags in Week 4, finishing with a season-best 23.5 fantasy points.
Jacksonville gave up 412 yards, four touchdowns and 34.5 fantasy points to Lions quarterback Jared Goff in their last game. Stroud may not hit those numbers, but he could finish the week as top-five quarterback.
Kyren Williams (RB) Los Angeles Rams
While Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley was busy setting a franchise record with 255 yards rushing and two scores, Williams quietly handled all but one of the Rams’ rushing attempts in a 37-20 loss to the Eagles on Sunday night.
Williams averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 16 attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown in Week 12, scoring 11.2 fantasy points in the process. His score would have been much higher if not for a fumble in Philadelphia’s red zone on the team’s first possession.
He actually put three balls on the ground on Sunday, something head coach Sean McVay addressed later in the week.
“Kyren is so conscientious. In a lot of instances, he is such a great competitor,” McVay told reporters. “He’s always been a guy that has been mentally tough. He’s been able to respond, and I think that’s going to be reflected moving forward.”
Fortunately for Williams, the Rams face a Saints team currently allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game (25.1) to running backs this season. More importantly, they’ve only recovered three fumbles, tied with the Seahawks for second-fewest in the league. Expect Williams to see plenty of carries in a game the Rams should win easily.
