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Week 16 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Flames: RB
Fantasy Forum: Ask Brad
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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Cooper Rush, Cowboys
Start pct.
3% on Yahoo
Matchup
vs. Buccaneers
BetMGM line
Buccaneers -4.5
BetMGM total
49 points
BetAlytics projection
N/A
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. This general imbecile is pushing in his chips on the much-lampooned Dallas starter — in the second round of the fantasy playoffs, no less.
Blame the fourth moose mug of eggnog. Keep sluggin’ them back, Clark.
Many readers will consider this selection fa la la la la la la la lame, but Rush will hardly be a statistical Krampus for good little fantasy girls and boys.
The elevated Cowboys backup quarterback has gradually improved as the starter. A full-blown train wreck when thrust into the primary role when Dak Prescott succumbed to a hamstring setback in Week 9, Rush notched his finest fantasy performance to date last week in Carolina, twirling 214 yards and three touchdowns.
The seven-year NFL veteran’s suboptimal standings in adjusted completion percentage (70.9%, QB22), average depth of target (7.7, QB22) and passer rating (92.0, QB19) since Week 12 don’t lend much confidence. However, he’s passed the eye test with flying colors and is still blessed with one of the best receivers in the game in CeeDee Lamb.
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Give Rush credit. He's made noticeable strides. And Rico Dowdle’s emergence as a certifiable every-down wagon has provided a much-needed assist.
This week, Rush and the Cowboys are set to swashbuckle with the Buccaneers. Though the pirate ship has plugged a few holes in recent weeks — Tampa Bay ranks No. 10 in pass EPA defense since Week 10 — it has consistently delivered a treasure chest of points to opposing QBs.
Only fellow Sunshine State representative Jacksonville has allowed more fantasy production to passers this season. In total, the Bucs have given up 7.10 passing yards per attempt, 265.1 passing yards per game and 23 passing touchdowns.
Rush, who’s recorded at least 17 fantasy points in Yahoo leagues in three of the last five weeks, should shine in what could be a sneaky high-scoring shootout.
Then again, maybe it’s the ‘nog talking.
Fearless Forecast: 241 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 5 rushing yards, 18.1 fantasy points
Week 16 Bonus Flame
Anthony Richardson, Colts
Start pct.
22% on Yahoo
Matchup
vs. Titans
Hyped by many pundits before the season — this always-wrong prognosticator excluded — the under-performing Colts QB has largely stayed out to pasture. When you’ve been out-produced on a per game basis by Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and fortysomething Aaron Rodgers, it sums up the disappointment. Richardson, though, has an opportunity to recapture value lost. His Week 16 opponent, Tennessee, checks in at No. 26 in pass EPA defense since Week 10, yielding 243.1 combined yards, 11 total touchdowns and the ninth-most fantasy points to QBs. Richardson’s inaccuracy is glaring — he’s dead last among qualifying QBs in adjusted completion percentage since Week 10 — but his duality is the attraction. Joe Flacco earned the first start against the Titans in Week 6. In the second face-off, the reinserted incumbent should tally at least 20 points for the third time in his last five games.
Fearless Forecast: 170 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, 44 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 21.9 fantasy points
Season record: 19-10
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