Week 6 Fantasy Flames RB: Uncle Rico ballin' like it's '82

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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 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).  

Rico Dowdle, Panthers

Carolina’s Uncle Rico may not have the ability to throw that football over ‘dem mountains, but he certainly has the power to plow through them. 

Filling in for the tender calved Chuba Hubbard, the promoted backup nearly rewrote the team record book in Week 5. His magnificent 206 rushing yards gained against the downtrodden Dolphins tied Jonathan Stewart for the second-best ground performance in Panthers history. Also chipping in 28 receiving yards and crossing the chalk once, he erupted for 30.9 fantasy points in half-point PPR. 

Reward the cat with ALL the Fancy Feast!

The breakout wasn't merely some one-week flash-in-the-pan. With Hubbard's return very much in question and a REVENGE GAME scenario on the horizon, Dowdle is set to smash and dash past his former employer. The 'Pokes feature a run defense an elderly three-legged shih tzu could successfully shuttle through. 

This season, the Cowboys are No. 23 in rush EPA defense, surrendering 4.35 yards per carry, 151.2 total yards per game, five total touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs. If D'Andre Swift and slough his way to serviceable production against them practically any competent back can. 

Dowdle is a few steps above functional. His 4.31 yards after contact per attempt is No. 3 among qualifying RBs. He's also impressively forced a missed tackle on 21.6% of his rush attempts and hauled in 80% of his intended targets. As last week's visuals clearly proved, he's as good as the advanced metrics would lead you to believe. 

The "don't chase last week's stats" crowd are presumably incensed with this selection, but don't listen to their errant "analysis." Fantasy is a matchups-based game and the climbing back has a sensational one. Throw in his personal motivation to perform and only one conclusion can be drawn. 

Feed Carolina's llama, Napoleon Dynamite. 

Fearless Forecast (Assuming no Hubbard): 20 carries, 85 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 17.7 fantasy points

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

Any fortuneteller would stare into crystal balls, flip over tarot cards, speak to beyond-the-grave spirits and inevitably conclude they have no flippin' idea how Kliff Kingsbury will deploy his running back timeshare week-to-week. 

Though it's become abundantly clear Bill packs the most boom working as a runner or receiver, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols are still carving out opportunity share, impacting the rookie's value game-in and game-out. 

JCM is an advanced metrics darling who deserves the lion’s share each week. A handful of games in, he’s RB2 in yards created per attempt (4.40) and has forced a missed tackle on 21.3% of his rush attempts. As tracked by NFL NextGen Stats, he’s also No. 1 in rush yards over expected (2.17). Again, for those who stretched arm tendons to acquire him in the middle rounds of August drafts, the youngster has largely delivered. In other words, he hasn’t pulled an Emari Demercado. 

In another Monday night double dip, sprinkle a little JCM to round out your fantasy Week 6. It’s the flavorful gummy Bears for the love of the virtual game gods. 

Entering Week 6, the Mice of the Midway are No. 23 in rush EPA D, yielding 6.05 yards per carry, 171.0 total yards per game, six combined touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points to RBs.

To pay the box score bills, the Commanders' crusher will have to exhibit a hot hand early. Given the opponent and his per touch profile, his odds of emitting fiery fingers are quite likely. On paper, he’s a firm RB2 in 12-team formats.

If necessary, do a seance from the couch to ensure noteworthy numbers. 

Fearless Forecast: 11 carries, 53 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.7 fantasy points 

Deep league dive: Blake Corum, Rams (at Ravens, 1% started) -- Provided butter doesn't secrete from his hands and he holds onto the pill, Corum should receive enough work to warrant FLEX consideration. His miscue last Thursday against San Francisco kept him buried in Sean McVay's doghouse for virtually the entire game. After experiencing a steady rise in touches over the three weeks prior, he gripped the pigskin only once against the Niners totaling 13 yards. Provided he strings together quality practices leading up to Sunday's battle in Baltimore, the former Michigan standout should return to his customary 25-30% snap share. At RB25 in yards created per touch while gaining an appreciable 49.6% of his rush yards after initial contact, Corum has been mostly per-touch effective. This week exchanging glances with a completely dismantled Ravens defense, he could post surprising results on roughly 8-12 touches. Zach Orr's tattered D enters Week 6 No. 29 in rush EPA, giving up 4.83 yards per carry, 117.0 rush yards per game, eight total touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to RBs. Kyren Williams will dominate the opportunity share per usual, but in what could be another askew affair for bumbling Baltimore, he could receive extended work late. Roll the dice in deeper leagues. (FF: 8-46-1, 1-6-0, 12.0 fpts)