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.
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Rico Dowdle, Cowboys
Start pct.
59% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Panthers
BetMGM line
Panthers -2.5
BetMGM total
43 points
BetAlytics projection
N/A
Uncle Rico can indeed throw a football over them mountains.
For those who chucked a Hail Mary late in their drafts to acquire the Dallas running back, a clutch connection could push their team into the next round of the fantasy playoffs.
Dowdle isn’t remotely dawdling. The Cowboys’ rising star is finally being employed as a full-timer, a development that has provided consistent RB2 returns. In an otherwise forgettable season for Jerry Jones and company, the 26-year-old has the look of a franchise running back after emerging as a little-used 2020 undrafted free agent from South Carolina.
Equipped with a burst score ranking in the 89th percentile per PlayerProfiler, Dowdle has always possessed an intriguing advanced profile. He’s the classic case of a player who simply needed an opportunity. With Dallas in full evaluation mode and Zeke Elliott 99% cooked, Dowdle has flourished with the backfield keys. His ascension warrants the question, “Why didn’t you saddle him up sooner, Mike McCarthy?”
With at least 98 combined yards in four of his last six contests, Dowdle is very likely to dash for nearly 100 yards again. In Week 15, he faces the Hello Kitties of Charlotte. Yes, the Panthers nearly stunned the world and pilfered $3 million from an anonymous bettor who laid action on the Eagles ML in Week 14. Giving credit where it’s due, head coach Dave Canales has Carolina moving in a positive direction.
Still, despite their improvement, the Panthers are an ultra-friendly No. 31 in rush EPA defense the last five weeks, surrendering 5.47 yards per carry, 197.2 total yards per game, two total touchdowns and the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. In fact, fantasy rushers are performing a mouth-watering 42.3% above the league average against Carolina this season.
Dowdle’s secondary numbers only add to the argument. Since Week 9, he ranks No. 4 in yards after contact per attempt (3.99) and No. 10 in total missed tackles forced (19), according to Pro Football Focus. Also adept in the passing game (80% catch rate), he’s developed into a nearly complete three-down weapon. In other words, if Dallas digs a deficit, he’ll continue to receive work.
Every year, a Samkon Gado type rises from the woodwork and carries managers to Titletown. Largely perceived as a desperation bench heave only months ago, Dowdle could be that dude.
Yee-haw, y’all! Maximize the matchup and confidently start the Cowboy.
Fearless Forecast: 20 carries, 102 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdowns, 3 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 19.1 fantasy points
Week 15 Bonus Flames
Rachaad White, Buccaneers
Start pct.
58% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Chargers
Cue the White Stripes classic “Seven Nation Army.” The multipurpose rusher is going to bring the bass and pass-catching rhythm to Los Angeles. The Chargers have yielded only four total touchdowns to RBs — heck, consistency king Derrick Henry was unable to penetrate the end-zone against them — but White is a jack-of-all-trades rusher who’s integral to Tampa Bay’s offensive scheme. More importantly, with Bucky Iriving highly questionable due to a twinged back, White’s overall workload could surge. Even if his tag-team partner trots out of the tunnel, he should still register a minimum of 13-15 touches, many of those grips coming in the pass game. Most promising, LAC is only No. 27 in rush EPA defense since Week 9. Over its past five games, Jim Harbaugh’s crew has given up a sizable 4.70 yards per carry and 145.0 total yards per game to RBs. With White’s assertiveness running the rock of late (3.36 YAC per attempt over his last five contests), overall sticky fingers (3.4 receptions per game) and prominent red-zone role (seven TDs in his last seven games), a meter-moving performance is likely.
Fearless Forecast: 12 carries, 54 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 4 receptions, 23 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 15.7 fantasy points
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders
Start pct.
27% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Saints
The once-deafening buzz that emanated from the nation’s capital has greatly softened. Jayden Daniels' runaway odds to secure Offensive Rookie of the Year honors have shrunk significantly, as have his team’s chances of making serious noise in the NFL postseason. According to NFL.com, the Commanders still have an 81% chance of making the playoffs, but at least a few bandwagon fans have bailed. This week, Robinson is sure to win back casuals. The pads-cracking RB is bound to exhibit maximum man power. His opponent, New Orleans, ranks a dull No. 24 in rush EPA D since Week 10, allowing 4.88 yards per carry, 135.8 total yards per game, four touchdowns and the ninth-most fantasy points to RBs. Robinson, a displacer of dudes evidenced by his 3.37 YAC per attempt, should shine with Austin Ekeler still out. On a likely 15-20 touches, Robinson flirts with RB1 numbers in 12-team leagues.
Fearless Forecast: 16 carries, 73 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 reception, 7 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns, 14.5 fantasy points
Season record: 20-19
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