Week 9 Fantasy Lames: Benjamin to bomb at box office in LA

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 9 Lames in the comments section below.

SEE WEEK 9 FLAMES HERE

Matthew Stafford, Det, QB (50 percent started, $30 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at Min
Historically, Stafford is the like the deceiving chocolate bunny you received as a child in your Easter basket. When you sank your teeth into it, disappointment immediately set in. Expectations of it being solid were dashed as the candy was actually hollow inside. That’s the Lions passer in a nutshell. Though previously blessed with repeated 600-plus attempts, he capitalized infrequently, routinely finishing just inside the position’s top-12. However, this year, Stafford, on pace for an uncharacteristic 564 chucks, is actually delivering. More skillful across the board, he’s shown marked improvement in several categories including deep-ball completion percentage, yards per attempt and red-zone efficiency. If he sustains his 313.6 fantasy-point pace in Yahoo formats, it will be his second most-fruitful campaign to date. That’s a rather astounding achievement in a post-Calvin Johnson era. The passer deserves much praise, but this week a belittling outcome is on tap. Though embarrassed by, of all opponents, the Chicago Bears on Halloween night, Minnesota still packs quite the defensive punch, especially versus the pass. Corners Terrance Newman and Xavier Rhodes have limited assignments to 6.3 fantasy points per game. They’ve also surrendered a 36.5 passer rating. Overall, the Vikings are giving up an unsavory 6.1 yards per attempt and the third-fewest fantasy points to QBs. Marcus Mariota and Aaron Rodgers are the only gunslingers to register multiple TDs against them. Stafford should tuck inside the top-10 when the dust settles in January, but alternatives Colin Kaepernick (vs. NO), Dak Prescott (at Cle) and Mariota (at SD) are wiser choices in Week 9.

Fearless Forecast: 267 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, 13 rushing yards, 14.9 fantasy points

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LeSean McCoy, Buf, RB (51 percent started, $28 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at Sea
For all intents and purposes, Shady has lived up to his “cuts on a dime” Twitter moniker. When healthy, he’s exhibited the same elusiveness, burst and versatility that elevated him to superstar status in Philadelphia. On 73.5 percent of the opportunity share, he’s evaded 5.3 tackles per game (No. 7 at the position), ripped off numerous big gainers and even notched an appreciable 4.2 yards per carry against stacked fronts. Whether in PPR or standard formats, he’s churned out a top-five line. But as stated time and time again in this space, no rusher is immune from down performances. Matchups mean everything and circumstances/variables constantly change. After missing a week with a tender hammy, McCoy is trending in the right direction to suit up for Monday’s meeting in Seattle. However, it’s anyone’s best guess whether he’ll receive his customary 18-22 touch workload. It’s entirely possible with a bye week on the horizon Rex Ryan will exercise caution with his prized rusher. Backup Mike Gillislee was effective as a fill in last week versus New England (15 touches, 94 total yards, TD, 13 evaded tackles). Deploying McCoy and Gilly equally makes sense. Additionally, the opponent isn’t exactly favorable. Yes, three RBs have topped 100 yards against Seattle this season, including Tim Hightower last week, but the ‘Hawks have allowed an unattractive 3.4 yards per carry, 79.7 rush yards per game and the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs. For McCoy to have a profitable day, a rigorous volume is needed, which seems unlikely. Exercise caution.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 57 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.7 fantasy points

Frank Gore, Ind, RB (70 percent started, $17 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at GB
The Larry King of running backs continues to tell detractors to “Get off his lawn.” Similar to other fine wines before him (e.g. Curtis Martin), Gore has smashed and bashed his way to quality production despite a high odometer reading and advanced age. If he maintains his current 1,302 total-yard pace, it would mark the fifth-greatest season by a rusher aged 32 or older. His almost youthful exuberance and bulletproof endurance are rather remarkable. Years from now people will reflect on his career with great wonderment. Evidenced in his No. 65 juke rate and bland 9.9 YAC per game average, he is showing signs of slowing down, but Father Time isn’t entirely to blame. Gore has netted 4.4 yards per carry against stacked/base fronts this season. It’s Indy’s shoddy offensive line that’s neutered his overall production. This week in hostile Green Bay, expect the venerable back to slam into numerous brick walls. The Packers were humbled by Ezekiel Elliott at Lambeau two weeks ago, but Mike Daniels and Co. have done a masterful job containing the run this season. On the year, they’ve conceded only 3.4 yards per carry, 68.6 rush yards per game and the fewest fantasy points to the position. Also concerning, game flow could work against the RB, especially if Vontae Davis, undeniably Indy’s best cover man, doesn’t receive post-concussion clearance in time. Gore almost always proves his critics wrong, but this Sunday, naysayers score a W.

Fearless Forecast: 16 carries, 63 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 10.0 fantasy points

Doug Baldwin, Sea, WR (88 percent started, $24 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: vs. Buf
Russell Wilson has officially earned the “JAG” designation. The admonishment, typically reserved for the Joe Flaccos of the fake football world, is fairly assigned. His immobility, decrease in deep-ball shots and subsequent QB31 ranking all support his persistent mediocrity. Not even against New Orleans, on the Superdome’s fast track no less, could the QB crack the position’s top-20. Playing through injury always paves a rough road, but Wilson has driven off a cliff. Unsurprisingly, his top target has sat shotgun into the canyon. The slot man, who was a touchdown wrecking ball over 2015’s second half, has reverted to his WR3 form. Finding the end-zone only twice in seven games, he currently checks in at WR32 in per game average. Though he’s enticed nearly the same targets share as last year, his downward turns in red-zone opportunities and yards per target are solely tied to Wilson’s decline. Better days should be ahead, but a turnaround isn’t likely versus visiting Buffalo. Slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman is quietly piecing together a marvelous year. Blanketing his assignments, he’s allowed only 4.4 fantasy points per game. Since Week 3, Jarvis Landry is the only underneath weapon to surpass the 65-yard threshold against him. Play Alec or Billy instead.

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

Kelvin Benjamin, Car, WR (70 percent started, $25 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at LA
After missing the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL, Benjamin has returned to the WR2 level most predicted. At present the 16th-most valuable wideout in the virtual game, he’s scored four touchdowns and eclipsed 70 yards in a game four times. And he achieved that with stunning inefficiency. His 54.4 catch rate and 8.2 yards per target (WR56) are alarming to say the least. Point the finger at his QB. The antithesis of his flamboyant suit game, Cam Newton has been woefully inconsistent. Leveled often inside the pocket, he’s seen a dramatic dip in completion percentage and passer rating compared to 2015. It’s almost unbelievable Benjamin has performed this well, though he hasn’t found the end zone in three consecutive contests. Bank on that streak extending to four. Corner LaMarcus Joyner is one of the NFL’s most underrated WR stranglers. This fall, he’s surrendered a 59.5 catch rate, 60.9 passer rating and 5.7 fantasy points per game. When lined up in the slot, Benjamin (9.1 slot percentage) will have his hands full. Even when he operates outside it could be an uphill battle. The Rams, collectively, have done an excellent job stymieing the opposition’s top option. Baldwin, Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Jones and Odell Beckham each failed to register 10-plus fantasy points against them. Additionally, top corner Trumaine Johnson may return this Sunday. In this brutal bye week, quality wide receivers with Benjamin’s floor are few and far between, but for the DFS crowd, the plus-sized target isn’t a suggested investment.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 70 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.0 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 9 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 “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: 21-29

Noise Record: 38-42 (Week 8: 2-8; W: Allen Robinson, Greg Olsen; L: Brandin Cooks, Jeremy Maclin, Derek Carr, Jordan Howard, Alshon Jeffery, Jonathan Stewart, Isaiah Crowell, Seattle D/ST)

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).