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).
Bo Nix, Broncos, QB
| Start pct. | 57% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at LV |
| BetMGM line | Den -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 40.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
This time of year, snow-capped mountains are common adjacent to Denver's high-desert plain. Gazing out of high-rise office windows, gleeful skiers hungry to slash and dash the slopes stare in anticipation.
Broncos fans exude similar feelings.
No offense to Nikola Jokic or Nate MacKinnon, but the Mile High City is Broncos country. As someone who lived in the south suburbs for seven years, the fervor over the local football franchise is unmatched. The locals live and die alongside their beloveds. When Thunder is riding high, the community is vibrant and lively. However, when the horses are kept in the stable, nearby microbrews overflow as loyal fans drink away the bitterness.
With Kansas City very much in its rear view, Sean Payton's team has the region roaring. A feeling not experienced since the Payton Manning days, patrons bellied up at local watering holes are understandably abuzz. At 9-2, the Broncos are not only in the divisional driver's seat, they are currently affixed atop the AFC.
Despite his club's gaudy overall record, Nix's sophomore season hasn't been the smoothest of rides. He's regressed in every completion percentage category imaginable and is on pace for diminishing returns in passing yards and passing touchdowns (26). Outside the fantasy QB top-12 in overall scoring, he's largely slumped.
This week, however, presents a golden opportunity.
Las Vegas typically leaves opposing passers in the black. At No. 24 in dropback EPA D this season, Pete Caroll's crew has given up 7.23 pass yards per attempt, 223.7 pass yards per game, 22 total touchdowns and the 14th-most fantasy points to QBs. In total, seven passers have tallied at least 19 fantasy points against them.
Division games are always tricky. See the first matchup between these two teams. In a 10-7 Thursday night slog, Nix tossed only 150 yards and 1 touchdown.
Still, with home field on the line and given the beatable secondary, Bo should carve up the Raiders like Lindsey Vonn fresh powder.
Fearless Forecast: 216 pass yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 11 rushing yards. 19.9 fantasy points
Kyle Monangai, Bears, RB
| Start pct. | 11% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at GB |
| BetMGM line | GB -5.5 |
| BetMGM total | 45.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
When properly topped with sport peppers, neon relish, chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, celery salt and mustard only (Disagree? Live in Russia with your communist ketchup!) there is nothing more satisfying than a Chicago-styled dog. And it only gets better when offered for FREE.
This week thanks to Ben Johnson tossing off his shirt and flexing in celebration after a marquee win in Philadelphia, the iconic Weiner Circle is handing out free franks to its patrons. Curse the staff out (It's encouraged). Leave a tip. And dig in.
Monangai played a major part in prompting the Johnson strip show. The battering ram from Rutgers and his tag-team partner D'Andre Swift owned Philadelphia in the trenches. Of the pair's 255 rush yards accumulated, the rookie accounted for 130 yards.
A Polar Express with the ball in his hands, Monangai is an ideal fit within Johnson's outside zone scheme. He's the definition of a one-cut back, a player with excellent vision and break-tackle ability. Since Week 8, he's RB24 in yards after contact per attempt (2.96) on Pro Football Focus. Impressive. Most useful, he's plunged into the end zone in four straight.
Green Bay isn't the softest opponent. This season, the Packers rank No. 6 in rush EPA D, surrendering 3.87 yards per carry, 115.0 total yards per game, seven total touchdowns and the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position. So why recommend a running back who's tallied under 50% of the team's opportunity share?
It's simple really. The Bears offensive line combined with Caleb Williams' scrambling ability have awarded numerous favorable fronts for Monangai. Among qualifying RBs, he's faced the 10th-fewest stacked boxes (18.4%) in the league according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Ignore the posted warnings. Feed the Bear.
Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 11.2 fantasy points
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers, WR
| Start pct. | 11% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. NO |
| BetMGM line | TB -8.5 |
| BetMGM total | 42.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
As the old adage suggests, good things come to those who wait.
it's taken an eternity for Godwin to achieve full health. Sapped by a nasty ankle dislocation last season and a fibula set back this year, he's logged extensive hours in ice baths to speed recovery and repair.
Last week against visiting Arizona, he finally resembled his old self. Undressing Cardinals defenders on vintage over-the-middle routes, he grabbed three passes for 76 yards, weaving through traffic for appreciable gains. It marked his finest fantasy performance since mid-October last year. Again, the road back has been long and winding.
With two games under his belt and showcasing still deadly skills, Godwin could pay patient fantasy managers a heavenly dividend down the season's homestretch -- especially this week against the Aints.
Everyday is Fat Tuesday for New Orleans' defense. Partying sun up to sun down, Brandon Staley's group performs like a half-in-the-bag unit. Through 12 games, they're No. 22 in dropback EPA defense, conceding the 17th-most fantasy points to WRs. That may not seem like the tastiest matchup, but also keep in mind starting DBs Alontae Taylor (120.0) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (121.5) rank No. 21 and No. 18 respectively among all corners in passer rating allowed. Godwin, who lines up in the slot around 38% of the time, is likely to split time versus both on Sunday.
Just name him the parade's grand marshal.
Playing 40 of 61 snaps in last week's win against Arizona, Godwin is could soon shower your team in ticker tape.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 68 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.3 fantasy points