Week 14 Fantasy Flames: Mitchell, others, to sprint owners into Round 2

Every week the Noise highlights 12 under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 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; .5 PPR). If you’re a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 14 Flames in the comments section below.

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Tyrod Taylor, Buf, QB (19 percent started, $29 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: vs. Pit
When people discuss the NFL’s most versatile quarterbacks Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers immediately come to mind. Their ability to extend plays and compile chunk runs greatly pads the bottom line. Though his passing contributions pale in comparison, Tyrod also belongs in that conversation. Unlike last season, T-Mobile hasn’t dialed it up deep often this fall. His yards per attempt, No. 5 at the position in 2015, has plummeted (6.5 in ’16). Additionally, he’s experienced nosedives in other secondary categories like completion percentage, deep-ball attempts and passer rating. Blame Sammy Watkins’ prolonged absence. However, with his main squeeze back in uniform, Tyrod’s numbers should begin to climb upward. Last Sunday with Watkins on the field in Oakland, he amassed 191 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and totaled one TD. Due to a mistake-filled second half, he fell short of the 18 fantasy-point line, but he’s crossed it in five of his last seven games. This week, bank on him adding to that total in the teeth-rattling cold, particularly with people holding his feet to the fire. Pittsburgh boasts a respectable secondary. Ross Cockrell, William Gay and rookie Artie Burns have surrendered a combined 79.6 passer rating to their assignments. But because of Pittsburgh’s high-octane offense, which has forced the competition to pump up the volume (37.8 attempts per game), opponents have occasionally profited against it. Overall, five signal callers have notched at least 18 points vs. the Steelers. Throw in Taylor’s likely 40-60 rush yards and he’s bound to tuck inside the position’s top-10 yet again.

Fearless Forecast: 218 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 49 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 turnovers, 19.6 fantasy points

Isaiah Crowell, Cle, RB (15 percent started, $19)
Matchup: vs. Cin
Whether read in folklore or represented in popular culture, the crow is often an ominous harbinger of ill-will. For those who go against Cleveland’s version in Week 14, noxious feelings are sure to follow. A palpable uncertainty has enveloped Browns fans with Robert Griffin III back under center. Can the quarterback recapture his once electric form for one week and guide his team to its first victory? Can he at least be semi-competent? Those questions are impossible to answer, but one thing is a definite: Crowell will be fed out of the gate against a Bengals front seven gashed routinely by the run. On the season, Cincy has surrendered 95.5 rush yards per game, 4.3 yards per carry and 10 double-digit fantasy-point efforts, including Crow’s 12-63-1-3-16-0 tally in their first clash back in Week 7. Game flow is always critical to the rusher’s success, but he’s ripped off seven runs of 15-plus yards this season, enhanced his pass-catching role (3.3 targets per game, 80.0 catch percentage) and plowed his way through arm tackles (22.1 yards after contact per game). If the Browns can keep pace with their intrastate rival, Crowell is sure to crack the RB1 ranks. Even if they crater in the second half, he should inflict enough damage in the first and second quarters to justify my bullish outlook.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 yards, 1 touchdown, 14.8 fantasy points

Rob Kelley, Was, RB (42 percent started, $19)
Matchup: at Phi
Press the ‘play’ button on R. Kelley this week and chances are someone is going to get pregnant score major points. Since pulverizing Packers a couple weeks back, the Washington rusher, as expected, has fallen on hard times. Faced with the most difficult remaining schedule for fantasy running backs, the rookie has slammed into numerous concrete walls. On Thanksgiving Day, he recorded a useless 42 total yards against arch-nemesis Dallas. He followed that dismal showing with just 63 yards versus Arizona. The recent downturn certainly halted the hype, but he ran with conviction in each of those contests (2.9 yards after contact on the year) and continues to log a very handsome opportunity share (70.2 last two weeks), which Jay Gruden noted earlier this week could increase. His between-the-tackles aggressiveness, fall-forward style and decisive cuts have really impressed. Matt Jones he definitely is not. Running behind a mauling offensive line – Washington is the third-most effective run-blocking line according to Football Outsiders – Kelley should finally have space to operate. Outside All-Pro Fletcher Cox, the Eagles lack gap stuffers. The defense’s left side, manned by Bennie Logan, Jordan Hicks and Vinny Curry, is rather unresistant. Look for Jay Gruden to deploy Kelley early and often to attack that weakness. Yes, Jeremy Hill managed a horrendous 1.4 yards per carry against Philly last week, but the Eagles have allowed 4.2 yards per carry to rushers since Week 6. Assuming the trench hogs feed from the trough, Fat Rob should record a few platinum hits for his owners. Trust him as an RB2 with the utmost confidence.

Fearless Forecast: 18 carries, 78 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 14.7 fantasy points

Kenny Britt, LA, WR (26 percent started, $22)
Matchup: vs. Atl
For the Fighting Fishers, a 7-9 record appears inevitable. This is precisely why the ‘Lady Tickler’ was so ‘deserving’ of a two-year contract extension. Though Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin have driven fantasy fans to seek liquid therapy, Britt, even through the uninspired QB play of Case Keenum and Jared Goff, has been a beaming statistical light (WR20 in per game on the year). The former first-round pick has matured into the Rams’ go-to receiver, especially for the club’s inexperienced passer. Over the past three weeks, he’s netted 25.1 percent of the target share (23 looks in all), snagging 12 passes for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His added route polish, excellent size and red-zone dependability (71.4 catch percentage inside the 20) are wonderful attributes. Essentially, if Britt donned a Saints uniform he would be Michael Thomas. This week, he may do his best old school Torry Holt impersonation. Atlanta, down top corner Desmond Trufant, are more harmless sparrows than fearsome Falcons. Even with Trufant on the field, they’ve allowed 7.3 yards per attempt and just over 294 pass yards per game. In situations he draws Robert Alford in coverage (10.9 fantasy points per game allowed), Britt should levy the boom. Putting faith in a Rams offensive player is akin to trusting Edward Scissorhands with delicates, but fortune often favors the bold this time of year. Count on him as a WR2 in 12-teamers.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.7 fantasy points

Malcolm Mitchell, NE, WR (13 percent started, $18)
Matchup: vs. Bal
When Mitchell dislocated his elbow Week 1 of the Preseason, the buzz surrounding him at the time quickly ceased. The grotesque injury only widened the learning curve for the rookie. Most immediately dismissed any thoughts of rostering the receiver, even in the deepest of leagues. However, 17 weeks and one broken Rob Gronkowski later and Mitchell has fantasy owners in a frenzy. On a Patriots team still flush with weapons, the youngster is standing out. Tom Brady, hardly a monogamous quarterback, does spread the love, but his affections for No. 19 are clearly growing. Julian Edelman is the locker room leader in targets share (26.9 percent), but Mitchell is rapidly gaining ground. Lined up in the crosshairs 22 times over the past three weeks, the 14th-most by a WR over that span, he’s hauled in 17 receptions, 222 yards and three touchdowns. Subsequently, his 0.56 fantasy points per opportunity in those contests ranks No. 9 among wideouts. Because of his Mickey-sized mitts and smooth routes, he’ll continue to be the apple of Brady’s eye in red-zone situations, cementing his high-end WR3 status in 12-team formats. This week matched against Baltimore, he’ll raise that bar. Jimmy Smith has draped his assignments snuggly this season, but his backfield compadre, Tavon Young … well … hasn’t. The DB has conceded a 92.3 passer rating. Stated endlessly, winning fantasy titles boils down to 1) Opportunity and 2) Matchup. With noteworthy names like Allen Robinson (vs. Min), DeVante Parker (vs. Ari) and T.Y. Hilton (vs. Hou) faced with daunting opponents, Mitchell is the ideal remedy for Nervous Nellies. I’m also talking to you, Julio Jones (turf toe) owners.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 64 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.9 fantasy points

WEEK 14 SHOCKER SPECIAL (Under 10 percent started)

Christine Michael, GB, RB (4 percent started, $10)
Matchup: vs. Sea
Narratives pave many streets in Fantasyland. Players in contract years are sure to explode. ‘Angry Tom’ scorches earth and box scores. Don’t draft ‘Madden’ cover athletes. Colin Krapernick always implodes with a playoff spot on the line. … Bummer the latter wasn’t widely known entering last week. But of all the stories people buy into, ‘revenge’ scenarios are quite possibly the most believable, for good reason. Michael, who’s wound one twisted path during his four-year NFL career, undoubtedly has vengeance on the mind. Kicked to the curb by Seattle for the second time only three weeks ago, the well-traveled rusher, prior to his dismissal, was in the midst of a breakthrough campaign. Though he fell out of favor once Thomas Rawls returned, he was, at one point, a borderline RB1. In fact, from Weeks 3-10, he was the 10th-most valuable rusher in the virtual game. His 3.9 yards per carry during that span was suboptimal, but his consistent TD splashes, 2.7 average yards after contact and No. 15 rank in juke rate were nothing to scoff at. He’s slipped into a statistical coma as a Packer, but ‘The Woke One’ may open his eyes. Last Sunday in a snow-filled tussle with the Texans, he out-snapped and out-touched incumbent James Starks. Ty Montgomery headed up the committee, but it’s clear Mike McCarthy wants to get Michael more involved. The Seahawks are relatively inflexible in the trenches allowing only 3.6 yards per carry to RBs. On the year, just six backs have reached 10 fantasy points against them. However, a TD by the castoff seems completely apropos. Without question, Michael is a gamble, but for those in challenging formats, especially TD-heavy leagues, he merits consideration in the FLEX.

Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 61 rushing yards, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.0 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 14 FLAMES

#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: 29-62

Noise season record: 53-89 (Week 13: 3-9; W: Dontrelle Inman, Tyreek Hill, Darren Sproles; L: Colin Kaepernick, Marquess Wilson, Kenneth Dixon, Sammy Watkins, Theo Riddick, Tyrod Taylor, Will Fuller, Eric Ebron, San Diego 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).