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).
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, QB
| Start pct. | 47% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Cin |
| BetMGM line | Cin -7 |
| BetMGM total | 53.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
Not all heroes wear capes. See Arizona's sizzling slinger.
With title hopes on the line, Brissett could bring the BOOM. Down the regular season homestretch, it's been a common occurrence. An unsung QB1 over the last several weeks, he's topped 20+ fantasy points in six of 10 starts.
The backup turned effective starter has excelled. Having an under-appreciated stable of weapons -- Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson -- coupled with an unsupportive defense (No. 29 in EPA per play D since Week 10) has brewed repeated perfect storms. As a result, the well-traveled passer has consistently produced through volume alone. This season, he's averaged 34.8 pass attempts per game.
Offering more support, the advanced data adds color to the overall projection. Brissett is top-15 in several completion percentage categories -- including red-zone (No. 15), deep-ball (15) and when blitzed (1). In other words, whether dropping back into clean or dirty pockets, he's steadily delivered.
The outdoor air in Cincinnati will bring considerably more chill compared to the creature comforts of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, but the Desert Bird is bound to fly high. The Bengals enter the week No. 20 in dropback EPA defense since Week 10. In 15 games this season, they've allowed an ultra generous 7.62 pass yards per attempt, 259.6 pass yards per game, 32 total touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to QBs. Ragtag.
Nerves are difficult to quell this time each year. After all, bragging rights are on the line. Want to talk smack for months on end? Strongly weigh Batman Brissett's services.
He might just save your season.
Fearless Forecast: 268 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 10 rushing yards, 21.4 fantasy points
Jaylen Warren, Steelers, RB
| Start pct. | 54% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Cle |
| BetMGM line | Pit -4.5 |
| BetMGM total | 34.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
Kenneth Gainwell is Pittsburgh's Elf on a Shelf -- versatile, diminutive and always hiding. Based on his performances of late, he's earned every bit of the daily candy-filled sugary express that chugs into his mischievous mouth. Whether as a rusher or receiver, he's racked numbers, forced a near 50-50 backfield split and somewhat overshadowed his carries accomplice.
However, in a showdown for all the sugarplums, starting Warren is requisite.
Despite Gainwell's elevation, the incumbent has also transcended the mundane. Over the last five weeks, he's churned out a top-10 half-point PPR line, averaging 74.6 total yards per game while totaling five touchdowns. He also posted an outstanding 23.6% missed tackle rate over the stretch. Whether on pad-cracking runs or occasional catches, the often overlooked Warren has handed out gifts to good little fantasy girls and boys.
This week, the Steelers head to the Land of Burdensome Bunny Suits -- Cleveland.
Though Myles Garrett remains in hot pursuit of the single-season sacks record, his D-line compatriots have racked the Razzies. Since Week 10, the Browns are No. 27 in rush EPA defense. Through 16 weeks, they've given up a healthy 4.14 yards per carry, 124.3 total yards per game and 15 combined TDs to RBs. Allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs over the last five weeks, their collective minds are in vacation mode.
In the teams' first meeting back in Week 6, Warren failed to reach double-figures in fantasy scoring. Given Cleveland's visible defensive crumbling and with Pittsburgh's playoff aspirations on the line, the under-appreciated rusher serves backers nothing but sweet Snickerdoodles in the rematch.
Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 61 rushing yards, 1 touchdowns, 2 receptions, 13 receiving yards, 14.4 fantasy points
Darren Waller, Dolphins, TE
| Start pct. | 28% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. TB |
| BetMGM line | TB -5.5 |
| BetMGM total | 46.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
Every December, value crops up from the strangest of places.
At the beginning of the season, Waller wasn't even a glint in the eyes of any fantasy drafter. Retired and cranking out immediate press-skip songs on Spotify, his playing days were long thought to be in the past.
The former Pro Bowler, though, is getting back to what he does best -- tearing up NFL secondaries. Since his Week 4 return, he's tallied useful numbers. His 10.9 fantasy points per game notched in seven games ranks No. 5 among all plus-sized targets. Astonishingly, he's outproduced the likes of Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert and Tyler Warren on a per game basis. Again, every season expect the unexpected.
This week Waller and the eliminated Dolphins hope to play spoiler in the Sunshine State. Sweaty in the Bay, Tampa has a 58% chance of making the NFL postseason. With a rematch against Carolina on the immediate horizon, must-win is indeed the territory Baker Mayfield and company are in.
The Bucs defense wields a foam sword. Since Week 10, it's a reprehensible No. 28 in dropback EPA D. Thank in large part to the aforementioned Pitts, who single-handedly bounced fantasy foes from the opening round of the playoffs in Week 15, Tampa has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to TEs over their last five. During the stretch, they've given up a ridiculous 7.8 receptions per game, 87.8 yards per game and six total touchdowns to the position. Hello, mateys.
In the seven contests in which he ran at least 10 routes, Waller scored six times. Consistent. Whether catching spins from Tua Tagovailoa or Quinn Ewers, he's connected often. His 144.7 passer rating per target is one of the best in the biz. Equally outstanding, he's booked a 26.9% red-zone target share this season.
Unpredictably, Waller is still a bankable baller.
Fearless Forecast: 3 receptions, 51 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.6 fantasy points