Week 13 Fantasy Flames: Anderson, Morris revivals well underway

Every week the Noise highlights 12-13 somewhat obscure, un-obvious 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). If you're a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 13 Flames in the comments section below.

[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $50K in our $350K contest for Week 13]

Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ, QB (10 percent started, $32 in Yahoo Daily)

Matchup: at NYG
The finely-bearded QB may no longer resemble the Lorax or faithful "Rudolph" companion Yukon Cornelius, but his reduced nesting material has transformed the passer. Looking to switch up the mojo after a largely ineffective Week 11, Fitzpatrick cut the scruff and rekindled the magic. Positively electric last week against Miami, he cranked out his best line of the season (277-4-0). His rectification should continue in this week's Battle for the Big Apple. Even with Prince Amukamara back in uniform, the Giants were torched last Sunday as Mr. Inconsistent Kirk Cousins dropped 300 yards and a score against them. In that contest, Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie allowed six receptions on eight targets and a combined 99.5 QB rating. Saying they have their hands full with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker would be a gross understatement. Piling on, no team has surrendered more passing yards per game this year than the Giants (315.8). Most encouragingly for Fitz, QBs have reached 20 fantasy points versus this defense in four consecutive games. This is a no-brainer people. This week, Fitz outpaces Eli Manning (vs. NYJ), Matt Ryan (at TB) and Aaron Rodgers (at Det).

Fearless Forecast: 273 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 22 rushing yards, 21.1 fantasy points 

C.J. Anderson, Den, RB (33 percent started, $14)

Matchup: at SD
Much like fellow resurrected rushers Jeremy Hill and Eddie Lacy no one would touch Anderson just shy of two weeks ago. Locked in a timeshare with Ronnie Hillman and functioning behind a makeshift offensive line constantly stacked against by the opposition, Anderson shares were at rock bottom. But the Brockness Monster has the maligned rusher's value pointing up. Osweiler's ability, unlike Peyton Manning's, to keep defenses honest downfield has lightened boxes and consistently opened up the ground game, the centerpiece of Gary Kubiak's largely conservative two-TE offense. Anderson's determination to be more decisive has also helped. In last Sunday's instant classic against an unyielding New England defensive line, the snowplow chugged his way to 153 total yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19 touches. His resulting 31.3 fantasy points was more than what he tallied over the first five weeks combined. I've said for weeks on our "Fantasy Freak Show" podcast Anderson would eventually reverse course. His promising underlying data (63.5 YAC%) and renewed health were strong indications. He'll continue to split work with Hillman but now with the Broncos offense humming he should be trusted once again, especially this week. The Chargers, woeful defending the run, have given up 5.06 yards per carry, 167.9 total yards per game and 13 TDs to RBs, good for the most fantasy points allowed to the position. Bank on both Broncos backs cracking the RB top-15.

Fearless Forecast: 14 attempts, 79 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 17.0 fantasy points

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Alfred Morris, Was, RB (17 percent started, $14)

Matchup: vs. Dal
Well ... looky, looky. Morris, thrown into the free agent pool wearing concrete boots weeks ago, is still registering a pulse. Matt Jones and Chris Thompson remain in the mix, but suddenly Jay Gruden has rediscovered the veteran, feeding him often over the past few games. In two of his past three contests, two of which Washington emerged victorious, he recorded at least 18 touches and topped 90 total yards. Without a touchdown on the season and with only 17 red-zone totes in 11 games, his baseball-swing celebration has yet to make an appearance. Still, Alf's recent volume is very attractive and his no nonsense, downhill style (58.9 YAC%) remains intact. Likely to hit the free agent market this offseason and with Washington vying for a division title, he has much to play for down the stretch. His opponent this week, Dallas, is toast. With Tony Romo sidelined yet again with a collarbone injury, tee times and vacation plans are on the Cowboys' mind. Because Little D has been pathetic against the run much of the year, Morris should bull his way to a top-20 performance. This fall, the 'Pokes have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to rushers. Overall, seven RBs have scored at least 11 fantasy points against them. Long overdue to find the end-zone, "The Butler" spikes Dallas.

Fearless Forecast: 20 carries, 91 rushing yards, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 16.2 fantasy points

David Johnson, Ari, RB (21 percent started, $10)

Matchup: at StL
Chris Johnson out with a broken tibia. Andre Ellington hobbled by a painful turf toe. Welcome to the show, kid. The cult following for Johnson on social media is akin to that of Jeff Janis. The rookie's measurements (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) and workouts (cone drills, bench press, vertical jump) were metrically off the charts prompting many to fall head over heels. In a limited role, primarily confined to special teams and receiving work, he's flashed mammoth potential evidenced in his eight all-purpose touchdowns, 22.2 missed tackle rate and 64 of 139 yards rush yards gained after contact. Dodgy, quick and versatile, he has RB1 upside despite the inexperience. Bruce Arians has "all the confidence in the world in him starting." Without much competition for touches, fantasy owners hoping to secure a playoff berth should too. Johnson will undoubtedly be a Week 13 difference maker. His opponent, St. Louis, isn't the brick wall it was earlier this year. DT Aaron Donald is a premier run stopper, but the Rams are exploitable around the edge and in the flat. Over the past four weeks, they've allowed 115 rush yards, 6.0 receptions and 66.3 receiving yards per game to rushers. Overall, they've given up the seventh-most fantasy points to the position during that stretch. Johnson's bulky frame, soft hands and shiftiness in space will pose problems. Look for him to eclipse 100 total yards operating behind the fifth-best run-blocking line according to Football Outsiders. Plug the man in.

Fearless Forecast: 18 carries, 70 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 44 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 19.9 fantasy points 

[Week 13 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Flex | All Positions]

Devin Funchess, Car, WR (16 percent started, $14)
Matchup: at NO
Raw and Crisco-handed, the rookie was highly untrustworthy whether holding an infant or football earlier this year. Over his first six pro games he recorded the same number of drops as receptions (6). Dipping his hands in honey since, he's developed into a reliable weapon for Cam Newton. Since Week 9 he's caught 11 of 18 targeted passes for 195 yards (17.7 yards per catch) and two scores. Most importantly, he didn't record a single drop. The 6-foot-4, 233-pound Michigan product is the Panthers' newest version of Kelvin Benjamin. His wide catch radius and knack for the end-zone makes him a prime red-zone option, an area of the field he's sure to take up residence early and often in Week 13. Though DeAndre Hopkins inexplicably failed to thrash them last Sunday, the Saints are a defensive embarrassment. DBs Brandon Browner and Delvin Breaux combined have yielded 10 touchdowns and a 110.2 QB rating to their assignments. So far, 10 wideouts have logged double-digit fantasy point outputs against them. Funchess caught just one ball for 14 yards in his first matchup versus the Saints, but in what promises to be a spectacular showing for Cam, the now more proficient target penetrates the WR top-24.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 69 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.9 fantasy points 

SHOCKER SPECIAL (Under 10 percent started)

Shaun Draughn, SF, RB (10 percent started, $11)

Matchup: at Chi
Pulled off the incinerator pile four weeks ago, the rusher is doing what discarded Browns typically do (e.g. Dion Lewis), churn out productive lines for other teams. Draughn hasn't exactly crushed the competition, but he's developed into a very employable FLEX option for the deep-thinking crowd. Pulling the sleigh for the Niners with Carlos Hyde still rehabbing his fractured foot, the veteran has played on 90.2 percent of the snaps, averaged 20.0 touches and tallied 86.3 total yards per game. His three-down workload and steady contributions in the pass game (17 receptions last three) have tickled the fancy of many a PPR owner. In fact, he's bested Todd Gurley, DeMarco Murray and Lamar Miller in catch-friendly leagues since Week 10. Despite his serviceability, few have taken notice, including Yahoo DFS price-setters. This week he should land comfortably inside the RB top-24. Chicago isn't the travesty it was defensively this time last year. Under John Fox's direction, the Bears have swiped with sharpened claws. However, their run defense still leaves much to be desired. Rushers are averaging 106.9 yards per game against them, the eighth-highest mark in the league. They've also conceded 4.8 receptions per game to the position. An end-zone dive is unlikely, but I bet Draughn hurdles 100 combined yards.

Fearless Forecast (If no Hyde): 16 attempts, 64 rushing yards, 6 receptions, 45 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 13.9 fantasy points 

BONUS WEEK 13 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: 33-58

Want to bull rush Brad? Find him on Twitter. Also, check out the Yahoo! Fantasy and Rotoworld crew every Tuesday-Thursday on 'Fantasy Football Live' starting at 6:30 PM ET on NBC Sports Network (Find channel here).