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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.
Aidan O’Connell, Raiders
| Start pct. | 1% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Buccaneers |
| BetMGM line | Buccaneers -7 |
| BetMGM total | 45 points |
| BetAlytics projection | N/A |
The make or break vibes are real.
This is the week Nix Are For Kids either punches its postseason ticket or bellies up to the bar to drown its sorrows until next year. Nerves are high. Sweats are profuse. And everything rides on random dudes balling out in a hellish bye week.
My god, it’s a hellish bye week. The Ravens, Broncos, Texans, Colts, Patriots and Commanders are all on a one-week siesta. Tough timing.
Once unthinkable on draft day, backers of Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels should strongly debate the merits of … O’Connell. No, that was not written in jest.
In his best performance of the season, the Raiders’ second-year quarterback completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns against the Lucky Charms-fueled Chiefs last Sunday, and the promoted backup could once again land inside the position's top 10 this Sunday.
O’Connell’s Week 14 opponent is Tampa Bay, a team that features a secondary composed of (expletive)-faced swashbucklers. Over the last five weeks, the Buccaneers rank No. 29 in dropback EPA defense, surrendering 282.0 passing yards per game, 2.0 passing touchdowns per game and the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs.
Yes, this is a recommendation for a quarterback that’s No. 37 in adjusted completion percentage and No. 29 in average depth of target since Week 1. However, bury all preconceived biases.
His terrible pubescent mustache aside, O’Connell is a gunslinger who must overcome an unsupportive Las Vegas defense but is buoyed by arguably the best tight end in the biz in Brock Bowers and other suitable ancillary weapons. In other words, 35 attempts could be the QB’s base while matched against a vertically nonresistant Bucs defense.
Maybe it’s the already entrenched cold air. Maybe it’s early onset cabin fever. Maybe it's the third tequila pour. Or maybe — just maybe — the under-the-radar Raider could leave you in the black and propel you to the second season.
Roll the dice, risk taker.
Fearless Forecast: 284 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 0 rushing yards, 21.2 fantasy points
Week 14 Bonus Flame
Sam Darnold, Vikings
| Start pct. | 33% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Falcons |
As a more palatable play, Darnold is hardly a bold insertion into starting lineups given the big names on a bye. Though he’s cooled off considerably since his searing early season start, the Minnesota quarterback still ranks top-eight among eligible QBs in adjusted completion percentage (78.5%), aDOT (9.3) and red-zone completion percentage (70.4%). Oh the joys of spinning spirals to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones. On Sunday, Darnold and the Vikings welcome the not-so-unflappable Falcons. Over the last five weeks, Atlanta ranks inside the top 10 in most fantasy points allowed to QBs, yielding 7.23 passing yards per attempt, 260.2 passing yards per game and 11 total passing touchdowns. Given Darnold’s 102.2 passer rating and 12-5 TD-to-interception ratio in four home games, his 20th-year breakout resumes. He’s in line to score 20 or more fantasy points for the seventh time this season. Skol!
Fearless Forecast: 264 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 13 rushing yards, 21.3 fantasy points
Season record: 17-8