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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.
Jerome Ford, Browns
| Start pct. | 16% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Bengals |
| BetMGM line | Bengals -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 47.5 points |
| BetAlytics projection | N/A |
Straight from one of those ridiculous car commercials during the holiday season, Santa just delivered fantasy managers a shiny new Ford — with comical oversized bow included. Cleveland’s rusher fueled and ready to fire thanks to Nick Chubb’s season-ending blown tire (broken foot).
Gamers willing to turn the key on the Browns basher could accelerate to the next round. Just make sure you dodge the various hazards along the way.
No matter if it’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Jameis Winston at the controls in Week 16, Ford is bound to be a fixture as a runner and a receiver. It's not remotely outlandish to think his opportunity share could approach 80-85%.
His advanced metrics profile doesn’t blow anyone’s socks off. On 119 touches, Ford is No. 32 in YAC per attempt (2.94) and has forced a missed tackle on just 12.6% of his carries. However, as his No. 11 standing in yards created per touch (4.11) and No. 10 slotting in yards per touch (5.4) indicate, he’s more efficient than most believe.
Plus, Ford’s matchup is tastier than grandma’s famous holiday cookies (peanut butter blossoms are a staple at Casa de Evans).
Cincinnati’s frigid defense dwells at the North Pole. Over the last five weeks, the Bengals rank No. 28 in rush EPA D, surrendering 4.50 yards per carry, 124.4 total yards per game, six total touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points to RBs.
On a likely 15-20 touches, Ford revs his engine. An RB1 finish in 12-team leagues isn’t entirely off the table no matter the game script.
Fearless Forecast: 15 carries, 68 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 20 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 16.8 fantasy points
Week 16 Bonus Flames
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers
| Start pct. | 52% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Cowboys |
Buck up, gamers. Get the Buccaneer back into your championship-chasing lineups with supreme confidence. His hip/back issues are long in the past, as witnessed in his 117-yard eruption against the Chargers last Sunday when he resembled the tackle-breaking, hashmark-consuming, chain-gang-moving running back from a couple weeks ago. On the season, Irving ranks top-10 in both YAC per attempt and missed tackles forced. Defensively, Dallas has made some strides, but containing the run isn’t one of them. Since Week 10, the Cowboys are No. 30 in rush EPA defense, yielding 4.04 yards per carry, 104.2 total yards per game and five touchdowns to RBs. Irving will continue to work in concert with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but on presumably another 15-plus touches, he is a borderline RB1 in 12-team leagues. Fire the cannons.
Fearless Forecast: 15 carries, 70 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 3 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 16.1 fantasy points
Issac Guerendo, 49ers
| Start pct. | 50% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Dolphins |
(Brad note: With Guerendo OUT due to a hamstring injury, Patrick Taylor slides into this spot.)
The San Francisco rookie has the healing powers of Wolverine. Even in a short week, his foot sprain was only a temporary derailment. Though his final numbers against the Rams didn’t offer much support (73 total yards, 0 TDs), he displayed practically zero hindrances on the 20 touches accumulated. Notching a noteworthy 3.00 YAC per attempt and 17.1% missed tackle rate over the last three weeks, Guerendo should again tote a heavy load this Sunday near South Beach. Miami is a laudable No. 11 standing in rush EPA defense over the last five weeks. Over that span, the Flippers have allowed only 3.81 yards per carry, 104.1 total yards per game, three touchdowns and the ninth-fewest fantasy points to RBs. However, based on Guerendo’s projected volume and shootout appeal, pan for gold.
Fearless Forecast: 17 carries, 77 receiving yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 4 receptions, 19 receiving yards, 17.6 fantasy points
Season record: 22-20