Week 9 Fantasy Flames RB: Bam to slam Little D

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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).  

Bam Knight, Cardinals 

“Sweetness,” “The Bus,” “Megatron” -- timeless NFL nicknames often enter the lexicon and permanently stick in the minds of fantasy managers and casual fans alike. They’re marketable. They’re unforgettable. And they’re frequently spot on. 

For Zonovan Knight, “Bam” is one memorable moniker he’s had since was a mere tyke. Props to his uncle. 

The endearment clearly forecasted tackle-breaks to come. For an NFL running back, you simply couldn’t have a better pet name. 

With James Conner cooked, Michael Carter a cut casualty and Emari Demercado fixed in a change-of-pace role, Knight has seized the RB catbird seat in the desert. He hasn’t torched the competition for fantasy devices, but he’s provided serviceable production in challenging formats. Most un-encouragingly, the Arizona rusher has tallied only a 2.21 YAC per attempt and an unattractive 10.3% missed tackle rate on 29 carries. However, his two touchdowns scored in his last three games has buoyed the overall profile. 

Again, he’s not some raging demon in the desert, but Knight can at least spook defenses on occasion. Keep in mind, he outdistanced former tag-team partner Carter by 10 touches in Weeks 6 and 7 combined. 

Expect Dallas trench defenders to cower often in Week 9.

Entering the matchup, Little D is nearly the dregs of the keg in rush EPA D, checking in at No. 30. Also ranking No. 3 in most fantasy points allowed to RBs, Matt Eberflus’ sickly unit has yielded 4.93 yards per carry, 159.9 total yards per game and 10 total TDs to the position. 

Jonathan Gannon’s battering Bam should crack pads en route to RB2 numbers. 

Give him a shot, Quinshon Judkins, Breece Hall, Saquon Barkley and Rachaad White managers seeking a profitable one-week stopgap. 

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 58 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 11 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.4 fantasy points 

Isiah Pacheco/Kareem Hunt, Chiefs 

(NOTE: This was written and published before Pacheco's week-to-week designation with a MCL sprain. The same reasoning applies to Kareem Hunt and his likely elevated role.)

This season, The Punisher has only doled out pain on those who invested high fantasy draft capital to acquire him. 

Applying not a light spank but more of a palm-imprinted slap across the face, he's provided unpleasurable results over much of the season. Even the staunchest masochist hasn't felt a lick of satisfaction rostering him. 

However, as witnessed Monday night in a favorable game script versus Washington, Pacheco is in the process of recuperating value lost. 

No, he didn't overheat fantasy scoreboards, but as occasionally displayed, his barreling between-the-tackle violence seized the screen. On a dozen carries, he bulled his way to 58 rush yards, netting a healthy 4.8 yards per carry. 

Perplexingly, Kareem Hunt usurped him in goal-line packages. Andy Reid's insistence on featuring the veteran ham-and-egger inside the 10 is an ongoing frustration that limits Pacheco's overall upside. The incumbent's 13.6 missed tackle rate and unexciting 2.67 YAC per attempt marks also curtail excitement. Still, visually, he's started to resemble the rusher who cracked the RB top-15 in 2023. 

Assuming Pacheco receives another double-digit carries Sunday in Buffalo, his services should be heavily weighed at RB2 or FLEX in 12-team and deeper leagues. Well-documented in fantasy circles, the Bills are slow-moving burros on defense. This season, they're a lowly No. 28 in rush EPA D, yielding 5.23 yards per carry, 114.3 rush yards per game, nine total touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs. 

Yes, Brashard Smith's increased presence with the first team adds to the downside, but the matchup is simply too enticing to ignore. Steaming ahead behind a KC offensive line No. 7 in run-blocking efficiency and given the sensational matchup, Pacheco could sting fantasy opponents in a mammoth Sunday night matchup.

Then again, KC's sideline walrus will probably trot out Hunt repeatedly in goal-line packages. 

Don't be cruel, Coach Reid. 

Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 60 rushing yards, 1 receptions, 7 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.2 fantasy points

Deep league dive: Jeremy McNichols, Commanders (1% started, at Seehawks) - Slugging back the silly sauce and raiding the kids' trick-or-treat back for an unsatisfying shrunken bag of Sour Patch Kids, a recommendation on Washington's change-of-pace option comes into view. Yes, he'll continue to split touches with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez, but it could be argued McNichols is the most per-touch efficient back on Dan Quinn's roster. On the ground, he's averaged a hefty 8.9 yards per carry. Meanwhile, via the air, he's netted 9.3 yards per catch, ranking top-10 among all qualifying RBs in YAC per reception. Again, whether via a sporadic tote or designed pass in the flat, he's been quite effective with or without Jayden Daniels. Seattle ranks a subpar No. 15 in dropback EPA D entering the week, but most vulnerable in the short-field, the 'Hawks have allowed an NFL-high 47 receptions and 51.3 receiving yards per game to RBs. Crossing the chalk may be a stretch, but McNichols is a upside option in PPR-heavy formats. Admittedly, that could be the booze and excessive sugar talking. (FF: 2-11-0, 4-36-1, 13.7 fpts)