Week 8 Fantasy Flames running back: Tank Bigsby vs. Packers

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Week 8 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Flames: QB | WR/TE
Fantasy Forum: Ask Brad

Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars

For Cartavious Bigsby, “Tank” is a wonderfully appropriate nickname.

Equipped with the power, speed and straight-line assertiveness of a World War II era M4 Sherman, the second-year running back has relentlessly mowed down would-be tacklers. Among rushers with at least 40 attempts, he’s the NFL pacesetter in yards after contact per attempt, posting an extraordinary 4.57 mark.

Bigsby also has forced a downright absurd 25 missed tackles on only 67 rushes (37.3%). Suffice it to say, crumpled bodies are constantly left in his wake. The dude simply dashes, smashes and falls forward on virtually every touch.

Fantasy gamers have slowly come around to the idea Bigsby is must-start material — even in shallow leagues. Travis Etienne remains week-to-week due to a balky hamstring, and D’Ernest Johnson will continue to steadily siphon roughly 30% of the opportunity share. However, the destruction Bigsby levies on each tote cannot be ignored. His 26 carries for 118 rushing yards and two scores last week against the Patriots in New England are unignorable.

Even if Etienne makes a surprise lineup return in Week 8, Bigsby is likely to receive 12-14 carries. His imposing will and remarkable efficiency have earned him every right to be Jacksonville’s early-down and goal-line enforcer.

At first glance, his Week 8 do-si-do with visiting Green Bay isn’t all that appealing. On the season, the Packers rank No. 6 in rush EPA defense. However, as a relatively neutral matchup according to other metrics, Matt LaFleur’s fellas have yielded 4.60 yards per carry, 94.0 rushing yards per game, seven total TDs and the 14th-most fantasy points to RBs.

Play Bigsby and streak the quad in celebration like another “Tank.”

Fearless Forecast (w/no Etienne): 19 carries, 118 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 0 receptions, 17.8 fantasy points

Week 8 Bonus Flames

Javonte Williams, Broncos

Your one-eye blind, Ozempic-needy cousin who couldn’t outrun a parked Volvo could probably surpass 100 yards against the Panthers. Carolina’s defensive front is just that sad. Incredibly generous to opposing ground games, Ejiro Evero’s group ranks No. 29 in rush EPA defense, allowing 4.71 yards per carry, 160.9 total yards per game, 14 total touchdowns and THE most fantasy points to RBs. “Juggernaut” Javonte finally blasted off the launchpad in Week 7. Against a completely disengaged Saints defense, he recorded a season-high 88 rushing yards and crossed the chalk twice. Williams also added three catches for 23 yards. His advanced metrics are rather suboptimal — he ranks outside the RB top 35 in YAC per attempt, missed tackles forced and yards created per touch — but on 15-plus touches, he should notch another top-10 performance. It’s absurd Williams is started in fewer than 60% of Yahoo leagues. Maximize the matchups, gamers.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 90 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 3 receptions, 18 receiving yards, 24.3 fantasy points

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys

The wheels have not only come off in San Francisco. They’re also rolling rapidly down hilly streets and hurtling toward the Bay. Costly and devastating injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk have last season’s NFC champions reeling. With George Kittle (ribs) and Deebo Samuel (pneumonia) fighting through physical ordeals of their own, the Niners’ offensive burden has fallen on Brock Purdy, Jordan Mason and the remaining ragtag. Making matters worse, S.F. continues to underachieve defensively. This season, it is a suspect No. 26 in rush EPA D, conceding 3.84 yards per carry, 124.7 total yards per game, seven combined TDs and the 15th-most fantasy points to RBs. Dallas isn’t without its own glaring issues, but Dowdle isn’t one of them. Securing first rights in Mike McCarthy’s backfield, the fourth-year pro is expected to receive more work going forward. Yes, his 2.42 YAC per attempt and RB41 standing in yards created per touch are unattractive, but he’s a likely volume pumper in Week 8. Given the 49ers’ struggles against pass-catching backs, Dowdle, who is No. 2 among RBs in yards per route run (2.98), could surprisingly inflict damage as a receiver. Run strong, Rico suave.

Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 51 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 4 receptions, 26 receiving yards, 15.7 fantasy points

Season record: 11-9