Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be 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 – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Matthew Stafford, Rams
| Start pct. | 39% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Ravens |
| BetMGM line | LAR -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 45.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
In the Year of our Fantasy Lords in 2009, Matthew Stafford was selected No. 1 overall. Believe it or not, Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce and Brett Favre were still active in the league. It’s unknown whether the then Minnesota Viking had hatched any alleged embezzlement schemes at the time.
Ya, dude’s been around for roughly an eternity.
At 37 years-young, however, Stafford has returned to the QB1 ranks in 12-team formats. His Sleep Number bed demands credit.
Maybe it's the nightly cooling comfort, but, ultimately, Sean McVay and the dynamite 1-2 punch of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are the primary reasons why he's again sitting amongst fantasy elites. For those who gambled with the graybeard and his balky back on draft day, the rewards have greatly exceeded even managers’ wildest dreams.
Entering Week 6, the reinvigorated Ram is not only excelling on the surface, but also in several advanced areas. He’s top-12 in total air yards and five different completion percentage categories. On pace to chuck over 5,100 pass yards and 37 passing touchdowns, the overall fantasy QB4 proving age ain’t nothing but a number.
With the 10th-easiest remaining strength of schedule for a fantasy passer, it’s unlikely he’ll undergo a sharp regression -- especially this week. This Sunday, Los Angeles travels to Baltimore, a team on the ropes absorbing repeated body blows.
Though grasping for air in myriad areas, the Ravens are most oxygen-deprived on defensive. On the back-end, Zach Orr’s unit checks in at No. 29 in dropback EPA D, surrendering 7.11 pass yards per attempts, 270.2 pass yards per game, 15 total touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to QBs. When Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel combine for nearly 20 fantasy points against you that accurately sums up the struggles.
L.A.’s grizzled gunslinger -- coming off an improbable loss at home to a beat up San Francisco squad -- is undoubtedly driven to wash away the bitterness. With Baltimore seemingly in an irreparable state, he’s destined to cross the 20 fantasy-point mark for the fourth time in his last five games.
Don’t cool off, codger.
Fearless Forecast: 267 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 2 rushing yards, 21.5 fantasy points
Bo Nix, Broncos
| Start pct. | 55% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Jets |
| BetMGM line | Den -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 43.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
According to Eagles defensive wiz Vic Fangio, Nix is quite possibly Baker Mayfield's little brother. Though DNA examinations and beer shotguns haven't confirmed whether the claim is true, the pair's performance on the field certainly bares a striking resemblance.
Both possess a gunslinger mentality. Both spread targets effectively. And both take off and run when advantageous opportunities are presented.
Focusing on the Broncos passer, he hasn't endured a classic sophomore slump. Through six games, he's teetering on QB1 status in 12-team leagues. Looking under the hood, he's QB17 in adjusted completion percentage, QB4 in red-zone completion percentage and QB15 in deep-ball completion percentage. Breaking from the pocket 5.6 times per game, he's raised his floor on the ground, averaging 20.0 rush yards per game.
Again, his production hasn't surged in Year 2, but he's undoubtedly delivered on widely perceived expectations.
This week, however, a numbers spike is certainly in the cards.
"Porous" best describe's Aaron Glenn's Swiss chase defense. A handful of games in, the Puddle Jumpers are a highly exploitable No. 32 in dropback EPA defense, allowing 7.65 pass yards per attempt, 214.2 pass yards per game, 11 total touchdowns and the 10th-most fantasy points to the QB position. When it comes to trying to contain pass-ripping arms, the Jets are appropriately winging it. ... Dad jokes. So many cringe worthy dad jokes. Hey, be grateful you paid nothing for this piece.
On the road, Nix's buffet of skills should satisfy any fantasy appetite. The Jets D is grounded and dealing with mechanical issues. Grab a plate and dig in, gamer.
Fearless Forecast: 229 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 31 rushing yards, 22.6 fantasy points
Season record: 8-2