Week 1 Fantasy Lames: Island life is lonely for Carlos Hyde

Each week the Noise highlights 10 over-started 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. If you’re a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 1 Lames in the comments section below.

SEE WEEK 1 FLAMES HERE

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Cam Newton, Car, QB (93 percent started, $35)
Matchup: at Den
No amount of protein-packed Greek yogurt can prepare Cam for Thursday’s opener. The last time he faced Denver’s swarming defense, in Super Bowl 50, the passer was humbled. Suffocated by a relentless pass rush and vexed by Denver’s downfield schemes, the MVP completed a miserable 43.9 percent of his attempts for 265 yards and zero touchdowns (one INT). His 45 rush yards applied a thin lipstick layer, but, otherwise, he resembled playoff Jake Delhomme. It’s a different season and revenge is surely on Newton’s mind, but what’s frightening, Denver’s defense may be stronger than it was a season ago. And that’s after losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby comprise the league’s stingiest secondary. Last fall, each ranked inside the top-30 in coverage, yielding a combined 0.25 fantasy points per route, according to Pro Football Focus. Toss in the Broncos’ mauling front featuring everyone’s favorite chicken farmer, Von Miller, and it’s understandable why offensive coordinators will suffer nightmares preparing a game plan against them. Only three QBs (Andrew Luck, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger) surpassed 20 fantasy points against the No Fly Zone in 2015. Though Newton is motivated by vengeance and has Kelvin Benjamin, albeit a limited version (35 snaps?), back, the raucous atmosphere and matchup suggest a lackluster effort.

Fearless Forecast: 253 passing yards, 1 touchdowns, 1 interception, 39 rushing yards, 1 fumble lost, 16.0 fantasy points

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LeSean McCoy, Buf, RB (93 percent started, $25)
Matchup: at Bal
Most reactions to seeing McCoy on this list “vary” from perplexing to puzzling. After all, Baltimore’s defense isn’t even one-sixteenth what it was during its heyday under Ray Lewis. That may be the case, but it’s not entirely exploitable. Nose tackle Brandon Williams is an unheralded run stuffer in the trenches. Only LA’s Aaron Donald and New York’s Damon Harrison topped him in PFF’s run-defense rating last year among interior linemen. Terrell Suggs, off his second Achilles surgery, is a complete wildcard, but if he can regain his dominating, 12-sack form from 2014, he and Williams will close many gaps. Last year, down Suggs after Week 1, the Ravens surrendered an ungenerous 3.9 yards per carry to rushers. McCoy is the unrivaled workhorse in Buffalo who registered 72.4 percent of the opportunity share, when healthy, last year. However, his yards after contact production has sagged in three consecutive years and his juke rate finished outside the top-40 in 2015. Bottom line, he’s not the cut-on-a-dime ultra-evasive RB we witnessed previously in Philadelphia. His offensive line, which Football Outsiders ranked No. 23 in run-blocking last season, and Buffalo’s turnover on defense, also raise red flags. Provided the contest is competitive, McCoy will receive his customary 15-20 touches, but don’t bank on an RB1-level showing.

Fearless Forecast: 16 carries, 83 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 12 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 11.0 fantasy points

Carlos Hyde, SF, RB (82 percent started, $18)
Matchup: vs. LA
Hyde might as well be stranded on a deserted island where conversations with volleyballs are considered riveting. In San Francisco’s diseased offense, he’s the only fantasy-viable option. Though besieged by myriad setbacks in his three-year career, the rusher, when in uniform, has shown resounding power (60-plus YAC%) and evasiveness (6.0 missed tackles per game in ’15). Also an adequate receiver and excellent blocker, he’s a legit three-down back. If not functioning behind a transparent offensive line and playing alongside an inaccurate quarterback – Blaine Gabbert is a threat to ground vermin everywhere – he would be a weekly top-10 lock. Sadly, though, the circumstances are dire, especially this week. Aaron Donald is an untamed beast. Arguably the most intimidating interior defender in the NFL, he’s the primary reason why the Rams recorded a stop on 63 percent of opponent runs last year. Unless Steve Young, Joe Montana, or, hell, Elvis Grbac trots out of the tunnel Monday night, Hyde will be repeatedly bear-hugged by frequent eight and nine-man fronts. Latavius Murray (at NO, $18 in Yahoo DFS), Spencer Ware (vs. SD, $12) and Ameer Abdullah (at Ind, $16) are better options at or below the going rate.

Fearless Forecast: 18 carries, 68 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 10 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.3 fantasy points

Jordy Nelson, GB, WR (94 percent started, $28)
Matchup: at Jax
At this point on the calendar one year ago, Nelson slouched on the sidelines propped up by crutches, his knee immobilized. An invisible turf monster, which the Vikings faithful know all too well, prematurely derailed his season days earlier. Just over one year later, Nelson, completely recovered, is ready to revive his WR1 worth from two seasons ago. Despite not seeing a single snap in preseason action, the former Pro Bowler is slated to start at Jacksonville. Mike McCarthy remarked Monday his receiver will be “full-bore.” Beat writers, however, believe Jordy will be on a pitch count. Though the prognosis is generally positive, reservations are warranted. Even if his DB-dusting burst is 100 percent back, the rust accumulated will surely be visible, meaning an elite-level tally seems unlikely. The matchup, also, isn’t favorable. Jacksonville’s secondary, which ranked No. 17 in fantasy points allowed to WRs in 2015, is ascending. First-round rookie Jalen Ramsey, Prince Amukamura and Davon House make up a formidable unit. Safety play is critical – Tashaun Gipson was routinely torched last year – but including its revamped pass rush, the team, as a whole, should be much improved defensively. Confidence in a Nelson bounce-back is justified, however, a baby step is in the Week 1 forecast. Give me thriftier alternatives Michael Crabtree (at NO, $21), Golden Tate (vs. Ind, $19) or Marvin Jones (vs. Ind, $17) instead.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 74 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.4 fantasy points

Jordan Matthews, Phi, WR (53 percent started, $21)
Matchup: vs. Cle
Much like during those awkward teenage years when you are trying to figure out just about everything, smoothness, you could say, will be at a premium for Carson Wentz. Much to Chase Daniel’s chagrin, Doug Pederson anointed Wentz the starter Monday even though the rookie played just 1.5 quarters, and rather poorly (12-24, 50.0 cmp%, 3.7 YPA), in the preseason. The greenhorn is a tremendously intelligent QB, one whose mental capacity and reads have drawn comparisons to Tom Brady, but he’s very much a work in progress. He possesses excellent velocity on all throws, but his touch on intermediate and deep tosses was highly suspect at North Dakota St. Game-speed adjustment coming from the FCS level only steepens the curve. In other words, inconsistencies will be the norm and that will impact Matthews. The wideout, a red-zone and yards after catch machine, is expected to see increased action outside, a more natural position. As one of the few games in town, he should attract upwards of 10 targets per game. But the number of misfires on those attempts from Wentz, particularly early on, could spoil added fantasy opportunities. Cleveland starters Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor were horrendous last season allowing 0.43 fantasy points per route, but Wentz’s on-the-job learning is sure to boost their profiles.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 55 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7.5 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 16 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?

Follow Brad on Twitter (@YahooNoise) and check out his new TV show, ‘The Fantasy Football Hour,’ Wednesdays on Altitude TV (Channel 681 on DirecTV, 412 on DISH).