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% of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds in .5 PPR format are — QB: 18 fantasy points, RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers), WR: 11 fantasy points, TE: 10 fantasy points.
| Starts | DFS | Matchup | Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46% on Yahoo | $5,600 on DraftKings | vs. CHI | DET -5.5 | 52 |
Once associated with an inconsiderate symbol, the artist formerly known as Gawful is extending certain single digits toward former naysayers, this dunderhead included. At a position littered with inconsistency and underperformance, he has excelled during the Lions’ late-season resurgence. Though team-wide efforts fell short, oddly, at Carolina in Week 16, Goff, who rolled up 355 yards and three touchdowns, deserved no critical stares. Since Week 12, he’s notched four 20-plus fantasy-point outputs. Slotting inside the top 15 in five different completion percentage categories, he has become a viable QB1 in 12-team formats.
The Bears are doing their damndest to acquire the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. Nipping at the heels of Houston for the esteemed honor, they’re bound to competitively lose their 13th game of the season. Defensively, the Mice of the Midway are a sieve. Whether in heat, bone-chilling cold or ideal-indoor environments, they’ve given up repeated chunk gains, surrendering 7.72 passing yards per attempt, 27 total touchdowns and the ninth-most fantasy points to QBs. With DJ Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown firing on all cylinders, Goff should again finish inside the passer top 10.
Fearless Forecast: 253 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 7 rushing yards, 21.4 fantasy points
Week 17 Bonus Flame
| Starts | DFS | Matchup | Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4% on Yahoo | $5,100 on DraftKings | vs. CLE | WAS -2.5 | 40.5 |
Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Forget all of the addictive and highly illegal street narcotics. Playoff motivation is quite possibly the most mind-bending substance known to man. Just ask Washington’s signal-callers. With the Commanders clinging to postseason hopes, the pressure cooker is operating at its highest level. Despite landing outside the top 25 in red-zone, deep-ball and overall adjusted completion percentages, the not-so-skunky QB has occasionally proved fantasy viable. In five of eight games, Heinicke has tallied multiple touchdowns.
Defensively, the Browns wear no crowns. Yes, they rank inside the top five in fewest fantasy points allowed to passers, but they’ve benefited from frightful weather and soft matchups. Assuming he’s the starter (Insert Carson Wentz if he gets the ball), Heinicke won’t obliterate the box score, but 18-20 fantasy points are achievable.
Fantasy Forecast: 235 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 14 rushing yards, 21.2 fantasy points
Season record: 16-14
Last week: 0-2 (Deshaun Watson 14.2, Aaron Rodgers 16.7)
