Week 6 Fantasy Lames: Peyton's last stand in Cleveland won't end happily

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 6 Lames in the comments section below.

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See Also: Week 6 Flames

Peyton Manning, Den, QB (76 percent started, $34 in Yahoo DFS)

Matchup: at Cle
This is your last gasp, Mr. Commercial. Fail, and you're wise to hone your pizza-crafting skills. It's been a hard fall from grace for the future Hall of Famer. Many, including yours truly, believed last year's abrupt demise was entirely due to a menacing thigh injury. The numerous wounded ducks and sharp downturn in production were a result of a weakened lower-body. However, that wasn't the case. He's shown flashes of his former self (e.g. at Kansas City), but, for the most part, Father Time has caught up to No. 18. Not only is his arm jelly (6.52 ypa), his capacity to make rash decisions under pressure have eroded. As a result, he's posted an uncharacteristic 6:7 TD:INT split, his worst mark this late in the season since the heyday of The Backstreet Boys (1998). It's no wonder why local media in Denver asked Gary Kubiak on Monday if Broc Osweiler may soon supplant The Sherrif. Essentially, Peyton is a modern day Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer, a game-managing veteran propped up by an elite defense. This week's matchup is promising. Cleveland, expected to be without corner Joe Haden, is a very vulnerable pass defense. On the season, the Browns have conceded 7.94 pass yards per attempt and the fifth-most fantasy points to QBs. Haden's replacement, Pierre Desir, has been a "Yes Sir!" corner as his 146.1 QB rating allowed to San Diego Week 4 indicates. Still, confidence in a Manning rebound is rapidly shrinking. His dreadful 266-0-2 output against an exploitable Oakland secondary is all the evidence needed. It's time to pull the plug for fantasy purposes.

Fearless Forecast: 21-34, 238 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, 12.5 fantasy points

Jeremy Hill, Cin, RB (68 percent started, $21)

Matchup: at Buf
The last time Hill adorned this list, he went berserk ... sort of. His TD hat-trick against the Chiefs temporarily extinguished the "freak out" fire, but the close-range strikes masked an otherwise appalling ground tally. Whether ineffectiveness or game flow are to blame, Hill has been more or less a bit player over the past two weeks. He's totaled just 18 touches for 65 yards, a second-fiddle to featured rusher Giovani Bernard. On Tuesday, Marvin Lewis reiterated the sophomore rusher is still his "starting tailback," but wide snap gaps and secondary stats suggest otherwise. Unequivocally, Bernard has out-hustled, outplayed and outproduced Hill. The smaller complement has dominated the alleged 1A in missed tackles percentage (23.2, 13.8), yards per carry (5.5, 3.0) and fantasy points per game (10.7, 9.8). Lewis wants to reestablish a power game, but this week's matchup isn't conducive. Instead of attacking Buffalo's rigid defensive line on the ground, opponents have ran an infrequent 17.6 times per game against the Bills, the lowest in number in the league. It's entirely plausible Hue Jackson leans on Andy Dalton's arm, featuring Gio some 40-50 snaps with Hill groveling for scraps on 10-12 touches. Until he resembles the rolling boulder seen over the second half last year, the rusher is largely untrustworthy in 12-team leagues. This week give me Dion Lewis (at Ind), Charcandrick West (at Min) and Duke Johnson (vs. Den) instead.

Fearless Forecast: 11 carries, 36 rushing yards, 1 reception, 7 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 4.8 fantasy points

Marshawn Lynch, Sea, RB (58 percent started, $29)

Matchup: vs. Car
"Least Mode," stuffed raccoon and all, has been holed up in fantasy detention for the past several weeks. A calf ailment and now hamstring injury has kept him on the sidelines. However, the Seattle Times reported earlier in the week, everyone's favorite Skittles smasher will return to practice in short order, a positive indication he will be in uniform Week 6. Even if he dons shoulder pads, Lynch isn't a recommended DFS investment. If you believe the veteran will suddenly receive 20-25 touches after a lengthy layoff, it's wise to reassess. RB arriviste, Thomas Rawls, who indeed does have the biggest "Rawls" of them all after recording a pair of 100-yard games in three starts, has earned at least a complementary role, a gig that could yield up to 10-12 carries per game according to Pete Carroll. If Lynch proves sluggish or futile in his return, however, the rookie could wrest away more touches. Complicating matters is the matchup. Carolina, tattooed by the run in 2014, has rediscovered it's stingy side. RBs have averaged a mere 3.63 yards per carry versus the Panthers this year. In fact, Doug Martin is the only rusher to exceed 52 yards against them in four games. Add in Seattle's inconsistent offensive line along with Luke Kuechly's expected reactivation for Carolina and it's no stretch to think Lynch finishes on the outer fringes of RB2 territory. Don't go overboard. Keep in mind he's compiled an unexciting 3.4 yards per carry when in uniform this season.

Fearless Forecast: 17 carries, 62 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.2 fantasy points 

Antonio Brown, Pit, WR (97 percent started, $35)

Matchup: vs. Ari
Mike Vick is an instrument of pain. He couldn't hit Chewbacca in stride, let alone the best receiver in the game. His persistent overthrows and misfires have killed Brown's value. Prior to Ben Roethlisberger's knee displacement, he recorded 36 straight games with at least five catches and 50 yards. That streak promptly terminated when Vick took over the starting gig. With only eight receptions (on 15 targets) for 87 yards the past two weeks, the reigning catch king has fallen on his sword. Todd Haley opened up the playbook slightly in San Diego, but Le'Veon Bell was and will continue to be the point of emphasis as long as Vick mans the controls. Though Arizona's front line is rather impenetrable, Haley's conservative blueprint likely won't change in Week 6, especially with Martavis Bryant back in action and Patrick Peterson potentially shadowing Brown. The handsomely paid corner, off a disappointing 2014, has rediscovered his shut down ways. Targeted 18 times this season, he's yielded only eight receptions. His resulting 44.4 catch percentage and 48.8 QB rating allowed rank top-10 among DBs. His tag-team partner, Tyrann Mathieu, is equally unyielding giving up only 8.4 yards per catch. Six wide receiver touchdowns have been scored on the Cardinals, but just one target, Tavon Austin, has eclipsed the 75-yard mark against them. Unless Big Ben miraculously returns to the field, Brown is more WR3 than WR1 material.

Fearless Forecast (If no Big Ben): 5 receptions, 54 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7.9 fantasy points

Jordan Matthews, Phi, WR (86 percent started, $22)

Matchup: vs. NYG
Since storming out of the gates to the tune of 16 catches, 182 yards and a TD Weeks 1 and 2, Matthews has been more one-winged pigeon than majestic Eagle. In his past three forgettable contests, he's totaled a 13-143-0 line, an output that ranks him behind such position titans as Lance Moore, Stedman Bailey and Dwayne Harris. Yippee. After stumbling through the first few weeks, Philly's offense finally fired on all cylinders last week against the Saints. On the ground, DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews hummed, providing the balance the franchise desperately needed while greatly aiding the pass game. Sam Bradford, who completed a season-best 71.1 percent of his attempts for 333 yards and two scores, certainly benefited. Still, Matthews, despite a superb matchup, floundered in Chip Kelly's spread-the-wealth scheme. This week, the degree of difficulty increases. Fantasy WRs have performed 14.3 percent below the league average against the Giants. Prince Amukamura and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have surrendered one touchdown on 45 combined targets. Overall, only three WRs (Anquan Boldin, Leonard Hankerson and Julio Jones) have topped 65 yards against the Giants. And DRC barely played (6 snaps) versus Atlanta. Even if Amukamura (pectoral) sits, lower expectations. Much like Brown, Matthews' is a top-shelf talent masquerading as a middling WR3.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 51 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7.6 fantasy points 

BONUS WEEK 6 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: 22-13

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