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Odell Beckham Jr. set to flop in Week 4 Fantasy Lames

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 4 Lames in the comments section below.

SEE WEEK 4 FLAMES HERE

Matt Ryan, Atl, QB (50 percent started, $27)
Matchup: vs. Car
Last year, Matty Ice was Frosty the Snowman roasting over an open fire, an unsalvageable fantasy commodity. Though he ranked appreciably in several key categories, his inability to deliver consistently inside the red zone allowed him to reach melting point. As a result, he was heavily discounted in August drafts, a prime target for the wait-on-a-QB crowd. But so far, he’s paid a king-sized dividend. Through three weeks, he’s the fifth-most valuable signal caller in the virtual game averaging 23.0 fantasy points per game. He also ranks top-three in several completion percentages, including deep-ball and red-zone. But much of his capacious production was primarily due to a soft early season slate (TB, at Oak, at NO). Now entering a more challenging section of the schedule (Car, at Den, at Sea), profit-seekers might want to dangle his services before his value normalizes, beginning this week. Carolina’s rookie corner, James Bradbury, has played with veteran savvy. He along with Bene Benwikere and Robert McClain have allowed a league-low 98.7 yards per game to WRs and 6.6 yards per attempt to passers. Under the microscope, Bradbury, McClain and Benwikere have each given up a passer rating below 56. Mix in Ryan’s recent lack of success against the division rival (2:3 TD:INT split last four games) and dinged thumb, and he’s a recommended avoid in Week 4. Andy Dalton (vs. Mia), Dak Prescott (at SF) and Kirk Cousins (vs. Cle) are stronger options.

Fearless Forecast: 236 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 11.4 fantasy points

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Latavius Murray, Oak, RB (74 percent started, $24)
Matchup: at Bal
A Samsung Note 7 searing your special place. That’s the sensation Murray owners will experience if the Raiders rusher is trusted in Week 4. Before the start of the season, Jack Del Rio remarked the upright runner would again carry the mail. Expected to record a similar 15-20 touch workload as last year, all signs pointed to favorable weekly touches. However, ‘Black Jack’ fibbed. Noticeably, Murray’s role in the offense is quickly dwindling. He’s lost precious grips to Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington. Over the first three weeks his snap count has gradually declined from 45-to-36-to-31. If not for Latavius’ three consecutive weeks with a TD, his backers would be chugging Clorox. This may be the week the stink hits the fan. Outside Isaiah Crowell’s gashing of the Ravens in Week 2, Baltimore has performed rigidly against the run. LeSean McCoy struggled to find breathing room against Terrell Suggs and friends Week 1 (2.8 ypc). Last week the Jags’ Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon were far more deplorable (1.7 ypc). In fact, 60.3 percent of opponent runs versus Baltimore have gone for two yards or less. Stifling. Even if Murray falls into the end zone, he may total a lackluster fantasy day. Seek alternatives.

Fearless Forecast: 12 carries, 38 rushing yards, 1 reception, 7 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 5.0 fantasy points

Todd Gurley, LA, RB (96 percent started, $30)
Matchup: at Ari
If Donald Trump played fantasy, he would be the owner who peddles Gurley with descriptions like “great”, “tremendous” and “YUGE!,” inapplicable adjectives for a downtrodden running back. “Believe me,” last week’s 21-fantasy point bounce back in Tampa was far from encouraging. The rusher continues to face blood-thirsty zombie hordes. Nearly 78 percent of the time this season he’s attempted to bull through base or stacked fronts. Unsurprisingly, with little-to-no room to operate, his yards per carry has suffered. Just over 49 percent of his carries have finished under two yards. Per Player Profiler, he also ranks No. 48 among running backs in juke rate. Don’t expect his situation to suddenly improve this week in the desert. Arizona hasn’t exactly resembled the Super Bowl contender many, yours truly one of them, professed preseason. Housed in every facet last week in Buffalo, the Cardinals were deep-fried, tossed in Frank’s and drenched with blue cheese. Bills backs rolled up 5.7 yards per carry and 132 rushing yards against them. However, the Cards, historically, are birds of a different feather at home. Only four rushers have surpassed the 90-yard mark against them in their last nine games at the UPS. Unless Case Keenum stretches the field, unlikely with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu roaming, Calaias Campbell devours Gurley often in the trenches. Equally concerning, game flow could also prove problematic. Arizona opened as a 9.5-point favorite.

Fearless Forecast: 19 carries, 58 rushing yards, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 6.7 fantasy points

Odell Beckham Jr., NYG, WR (99 percent started, $35)
Matchup: at Min
Beckham’s childlike temper tantrum on the sideline last week was a perfect parallel for how his owners, who likely invested a top-three overall pick to acquire his services, feel. Though his targets share remains gargantuan (28 percent), he’s failed to cross the chalk, an unfortunate downside that’s sagged his value to an uncharacteristic WR25 in PPR settings. From a fantasy-only perspective, his complement, rookie Sterling Shepard, has completely outplayed him. This week, vengeful kicking nets aren’t the only thing the two-time Pro Bowler has to worry about. In his triumphant return to the lineup, Vikes corner Xavier Rhodes was every bit as advertised. He didn’t shadow Kelvin Benjamin exclusively, but his on-field presence gave Panthers OC Mike Shula fits. Benjamin, targeted only one time, didn’t register a catch. Rhodes, a resurgent Terrance Newman and slot corner Captain Munnerlyn are human burritos, wrapping their assignments tightly. Combined they’ve surrendered a 50 percent catch rate and 17.0 passer rating. The Vikings, collectively, have allowed 6.6 pass yards per attempt and 249.7 pass yards per game. And that was against the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton. Toss in Minnesota’s relentless pass rush (15 sacks on year) and deafening home crowd, and Eli Manning is sure to don multiple dumbfounded facial expressions. Containing Beckham is an enormous task, but a statistical plunder for the WR seems unlikely.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 73 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.8 fantasy points

In Minnesota, the end zone will remain elusive for Odell Beckham. (Getty)
In Minnesota, the end zone will remain elusive for Odell Beckham. (Getty)

Eric Decker, NYJ, WR (75 percent started, $24)
Matchup: vs. Sea
As the old adage states, streaks are made to be broken. Decker end-zone spikes have been one of fantasy’s great consistences over the past two years. The Gronk of wideouts had scored in six consecutive games prior to Week 3, but, thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s willingness to complete passes to the opposition, the trend abruptly halted. To be fair, he’s scored in 14 of his last 18 contests, but another box score bagel is very possible Week 4. On defense, Seattle is doing what it always does, throttle the opposition with copious blitzes while pinching receivers downfield. Predictably, the ‘Hawks have not yielded a wide receiver TD and rank No. 1 in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position. Granted they faced inept offenses San Francisco and Los Angeles the past two weeks, but, under the microscope, Richard Sherman, DeShawn Snead and Jeremy Lane are truly dominating. Combined they’ve conceded a mere 10.2 yards per route. Sherman specifically has also allowed a 58.8 passer rating. Another dismal performance by Fitzpatrick could be in the cards, which could hold the TD-dependent Decker at bay for the first time in consecutive weeks since December 2014, especially if the WR’s cranky shoulder limits him.

Fearless Forecast (If active): 3receptions, 28 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 4.3 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 4 LAMES

BonusWeek4LamesB
BonusWeek4LamesB

#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 “Lames” (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: 10-11

Noise Record: 14-17 (Week 3: 4-6; W: Derek Carr, Jeremy Langford, Kelvin Benjamin, Spencer Ware, L: LeGarrette Blount, Demaryius Thomas, LA D/ST, Coby Fleener, LeSean McCoy, D-Jax)

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).