Week 15 Fantasy Lames: Big Ben, Hill, Landry to play Grinch

Each week the Noise highlights 10 somewhat un-obvious names whom he believes are destined to implode leave egg on his face. To qualify, each player must be started in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week using the scoring system shown here (Thresholds – QB: 18 fpts, RB: 13 fpts, WR: 11 fpts, TE: 10 fpts). If you're a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 15 Lames in the comments section below.

[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $30K in our $300K contest for Week 15]

See Also: Week 15 Fantasy Flames

Ben Roethlisberger, Pit, QB (68 percent started, $32 in Yahoo DFS)

Matchup: vs. Den 
The NFL's "Cousin Eddie" may soon deposit his fantasy value into the nearest sewer. Off his second-worst performance of the season (282-0-1 at Cin), a daunting date with the league's most dogged secondary, Denver, looms. The Broncos' no-fly zone is where passers fall off the radar. Only two QBs, Andrew Luck and Tom Brady, have reached the 20-fantasy point mark against it. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby, brilliant in coverage the entire year, have surrendered a combined two touchdowns and 70.9 QB rating to their assignments. Also blessed with strong safety play, the Broncos collectively have given up 6.10 pass yards per attempt and the third-fewest pass plays beyond 20 yards. Pittsburgh's offensive personality is to assert its will vertically. Todd Haley is sure to dial up close to 40 pass attempts. But unless Denver has an uncharacteristic off day in downfield coverage, it's unlikely Roethlisberger lands inside the QB top-10 when the dust settles. Yes, even with a healthy Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant to chuck the pill to. Blake Bortles (vs. Atl), Alex Smith (at Bal) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (at Dal) are higher on my wish-list this week.

Fearless Forecast: 272 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 2 interceptions, 12.9 fantasy points 

[Week 15 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Flex | All Positions]

Jeremy Hill, Cin, RB (63 percent started, $22)

Matchup: at SF 
Jennifer Garner incensed about other airlines' miles programs. That's the equivalent feeling for owners who've dealt with Hill's massively disappointing 2015. Though he very well could finish with double-digit scores, he's experienced a dramatic decline in per game production. In 16 games a season ago, he averaged 11.7 points per game, much of it accumulated from Week 9 on. This year through 14 weeks, that number stands at an underwhelming 9.3. Hill's timidity (3.6 ypc), Gio Bernard and a fickle coaching staff are mostly responsible for the downfall. And don't blame the offensive line. The Bengals rank No. 2 in run-blocking according to Football Outsiders. At first glance, Hill's matchup with the Niners is a favorable one. Overall, San Fran has yielded the most fantasy points to the RBs, allowing 4.45 yards per carry and 1.1 rushing TDs per game to the position. However, much of that generosity has come on the road. Inside the creature comforts of Levi's, it has conceded only 3.56 yards per carry to RBs. Toss in the fact A.J. McCarron is under center, which could lead to more stacked boxes, and leaning on Hill isn't advisable. Give me Denard Robinson (vs. Atl), Tim Hightower (vs. Det) or Charcandrick West (at Bal) instead.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 51 rushing yards, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 6.2 fantasy points 

Buck Allen, RB, Bal (50 percent started, $24)

Matchup: vs. KC
Plucked off the waiver wire in droves after Justin Forsett was felled by a broken arm, Allen has mostly surprised as the featured back. In four games as the main man, he's tallied the seventh-best line among all rushers, netting 106.8 total yards per game and two scores on a tiresome 21.3 touches per game. He's gained substantial yards after contact (56.3 YAC%) and displayed terrific hands, showcasing the skills of a quality three-down workhorse. However, with Jimmy Clausen a very real possibility again at QB and based on the unfriendly opponent, he could suffer a similar fate as last week's 58-combined yard, 0-TD effort against Seattle. The Chiefs, surging at the most opportune time, are a force to reckon with. Since Week 6, no club has allowed fewer fantasy points to RBs. During that stretch, KC has yielded 3.79 yards per carry, 104.5 total yards per game and three touchdowns to rushers. Derrick Johnson alone has accounted for 48 stops. Most damaging for Allen, the Chiefs clamp down on swings and screens ranking No. 1 in fewest receiving yards conceded to RBs. Piece it together and Allen could gift owners with socks and underwear come Sunday.

Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 36 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 23 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.4 fantasy points 

T.Y. Hilton, Ind, WR (77 percent started, $22)

Matchup: vs. Hou
After giving up a 50 burger to Jacksonville last week, even the most devout Bronies are abandoning the My Little Ponies. Indy is a complete disaster from top to bottom. A clumsy combination of defense and offense, they've been nowhere close to the rainbows and sparkles most, including yours truly, anticipated preseason. Luck's prolonged absence is mostly to blame, but even when he was under center, chains rarely moved, except in furious fourth-quarter comeback attempts. No surprise, the team's gross inconsistency has occasionally plagued Hilton's fantasy value. Barely a WR2 in 12-team leagues, he's fallen short of the 10-point line in three of his past five contests. Garbage time has been a savior (e.g. last week in Jax), but he's become largely unreliable. This week more frustration is in the forecast. Houston's aggressive pass rush, Indy's leaky offensive line and Matt Hasselbeck is a lethal concoction for T.Y. Sacks and turnovers are sure to mount. Throw in CB Johnathan Joseph's recent stellar play (No. 1 in pass coverage per Pro Football Focus since Week 6) along with the Texans' top-10 ranking in fewest fantasy points allowed to WRs, and Hilton is demote-worthy. A repeat of Week 5 versus Houston (5-88-0) could be a stretch.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 55 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.0 fantasy points 

Jarvis Landry, Mia, WR (81 percent started, $24)

Matchup: at SD
For the hard-working wideout, volume is always cracked to 11. He's on pace for a jaw-dropping 162 targets. Maintain that pace, and he'll finish No. 41 all-time in the category. However, despite the vigorous workloads, he checks in at No. 21 in standard-league per game average. He's slightly more valuable in PPR (WR16), but a lack of touchdowns (6) and 100-yard games (2) have suppressed his value. Landry will again work up a lather this week likely attracting some 10-12 looks from Ryan Tannehill, but don't bank on spectacular results. San Diego has stifled slot receivers often this season. Patrick Robinson, the Chargers' primary slot defender, hasn't surrendered a TD and has given up a 53.3 QB rating to his assignments. Muddying matters, if Landry is shifted outside, which has occurred roughly a third of the time this season, he would likely draw Jason Verrett, PFF's sixth-best cover man in the NFL. Add in San Diego's No. 4 ranking in fewest fantasy points to WRs and it could be an uneventful cross-country trip for the 'Fin.

Fearless Forecast: 8 receptions, 60 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 rushing yards, 10.7 fantasy points  

BONUS WEEK 15 LAMES

#TEAMHUEVOS PICKS OF THE WEEK

Each week one fortunate guest prognosticator will have a chance to silence the Noise. Following the rules stated above, participants are asked to submit their "Flames" (1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 D/ST) by midnight PT Tuesdays via Twitter @YahooNoise. How large are your stones?

Reader Record: 42-52

Want to bull rush Brad? Find him on Twitter. Also, check out the Yahoo! Fantasy and Rotoworld crew every Tuesday-Thursday on 'Fantasy Football Live' starting at 6:30 PM ET on NBC Sports Network (Find channel here).