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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.
Bo Nix, Broncos
| Start pct. | 5% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Panthers |
| BetMGM line | Broncos -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 41.5 points |
| BetAlytics projection | N/A |
Bo knows how to produce impactful fantasy points when needed. At least, gamers who roll the dice on the Broncos quarterback in a calculated attempt to maximize the matchup believe so.
For fantasy managers who have lost a key QB due to injury or who are throwing in the towel on continued ineptitude (hello, Anthony Richardson), Denver’s dual-threat rookie is a highly recommended stream option.
Believe it or not, on a per game basis, Nix has outperformed Trevor Lawrence, Kirk Cousins Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. Averaging almost as many fantasy points per game (15.5) as C.J. Stroud (15.7), the draft-day afterthought has mostly exceeded low-lying expectations.
In two of his last three games, Nix has topped 20 fantasy points. He’s also totaled the seventh-most air yards and netted 36.4 rushing yards per game to rank top-five in the category among QBs. Though he’s only tossed five touchdowns, his duality is downright attractive. Really, he’s a more efficient Daniel Jones.
In the Mile High City’s thin air, take a whiff and ride the Rocky Mountain high.
The Panthers are a punchline everywhere defensively. Only the disastrous Jaguars rank lower in EPA per play defense than Carolina.
Against the pass, the Panthers are No. 31 in EPA D, and against the run, they’re an equally laughable No. 29. Overall, they have surrendered 8.03 passing yards per attempt, 228.3 passing yards per game, 2.0 passing TDs per game and the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs.
Also, as witnessed in performances against the Bears and Commanders, Carolina is prone to quarterback chunk gains on the ground. It has given up the 11th-most rushing yards to signal callers this season.
As his No. 30 slotting in adjusted completion percentage clearly proves, Nix is very much an unrefined passer. Still, he’s bound to tuck and run the rock at least 6-8 times, possibly tumbling into the end zone.
Matchup advocates, like yours truly, should take advantage. Just in the Nix of time, his finest fantasy performance could be just around the corner.
Fearless Forecast: 227 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 0 interceptions, 47 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 26.1 fantasy points
Week 8 Bonus Flame
Kirk Cousins, Falcons
| Start pct. | 26% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Buccaneers |
The last time Captain Kirk blasted off against Tampa Bay, his fantasy point total equaled the number of times political advertisements run during commercial breaks in the Atlanta market. Hey, it’s a swing state and we all just want the ads to mercifully end. But please, continue with the surgical defensive dissections, Cousins.
The Buccaneers rank middle-of-the-pack in EPA pass defense. In their first seven games, they conceded 7.2 passing yards per attempt, 271.1 passing yards per game and 11 passing touchdowns. On paper, it's a premium matchup.
In his first season down south, Cousins hasn’t exactly tickled the taste buds like a batch of Magic City lemon pepper wings. Overall, he ranks outside the position’s top 15 in fantasy points per game, netting 261.4 passing yards and 1.4 passing touchdowns per game. He’s also an average QB17 in adjusted completion percentage and QB13 in red-zone completion percentage.
It’s highly improbable he replicates his paranormal Week 5 line of 509-4-1 in his first battle against the Bucs. However, a completely doable 20-fantasy-point effort won’t scare off demanding backers begging for meaningful numbers.
Fearless Forecast: 249 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 0 interceptions, 20.5 fantasy points
Season record: 10-5