3 Bold NFL Predictions for Week 15

Latavius Murray Will Be A Top-12 Running Back

Why This Is Bold: Latavius Murray disappointed fantasy owners who trusted him in a difficult matchup against the Carolina Panthers last weekend after a stretch of consistent production. Murray had 20 total yards on 11 touches and did not find the end zone, which is an abysmal performance. He also splits carries with Jerick McKinnon and doesn't contribute much in the passing game.

Why This Will Happen: Last week was the first time since Week 6 in which Murray handled fewer than 15 carries. Despite playing in a committee, he acts as a workhorse rusher and handles the majority of the red zone work for the Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback Case Keenum has been playing lights out football this season and is the main driver of a Vikings offense that draws a reeling Cincinnati Bengals defense. The Bengals' defense is ravaged by injuries with Vontaze Burfict and Dre Kirkpatrick looking doubtful to play at this point. Burfict, despite his reputation as a dirty player, is a phenomenal talent that holds their defense together, and his loss would be a massive one for Cincinnati's run defense.

Interestingly, Kyle Rudolph, one of Minnesota's biggest weapons in the red zone, may not play in this game due to injury. This would give Murray a larger potential share of touches in the red zone, which is from where he derives the majority of his value. He's an upside play who could score multiple times this week.