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Week 16 Fantasy Flames: Stuff your stocking with Michael shares

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 16 Flames in the comments section below. FYI, this is the final FLAMES column of the season. Thanks to the supporters, and haters, who make this piece possible. 

[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $25K in our $250K contest for Week 16]

Kirk Cousins, Was, QB (9 percent started, $32 in Yahoo Daily)


Matchup: at Phi
Here comes Kirky Claus. Here comes Kirky Claus. Right down Trophy Lane. Carrying Washington to a possible postseason berth, Cousins has played brilliantly of late. He's stood tall in the pocket. tossed strikes and overall ignited an offense which previously vacationed in the North Pole. Since Week 12, he's completed 77.1 percent of his passes, tallied a 118.4 QB rating and averaged 9.58 yards per attempt. What's loonier? He's become an opportunistic runner, dashing to the end zone three times during that span. Couple that with his sterling vertical contributions (285.0 ypg, 7:1 TD:INT split) and he ranks seventh in fantasy points per game over the past four weeks. Shockingly, his five ground scores on the season are tied for third among QBs behind Cam Newton and Jameis Winston. It's just another trend in a nutty world where butter-fingered Ted Ginn is catching TDs and normally sure-handed John Brown isn't. Back in Week 4, Cousins plucked a few Eagle feathers the last time he faced Philly totaling 290 pass yards with a pair of touchdowns (1 rush TD). Considering the rival's deplorable defensive play, particularly Byron Maxwell, ever since (3rd-most fantasy points, 267.4 pyds/g, 2.4 pass TDs/g allowed) and DeSean Jackson's field-stretching wheels, he should meet or exceed that prior line. Trust him and you'll most certainly LIKE THAT!

Fearless Forecast: 304 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 11 rushing yards, 20.3 fantasy points

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Karlos Williams, Buf, RB (3 percent started, $18)


Matchup: vs. Dal
The menacing injury imp's stranglehold on the running back position claimed another victim last week. LeSean McCoy, a top-10 commodity and rare 20-touch workhorse, reportedly suffered a torn MCL. Though listed as week-to-week the characterized "mild" setback clouds his Week 16 availability greatly. Even if active Sunday, the veteran is sure to cede numerous touches to Williams. Buffalo, eliminated from the playoff race last week in Washington, is now in full evaluation mode, good news for the rookie and his fantasy supporters. Spark-plug Mike Gillislee should split touches, but is more of a change of pace option. Williams, who has averaged a candy-cane sweet 6.0 yards per carry and posted an outstanding 21.4 missed-tackle percentage, is a strong candidate for 15-plus grips. In his lone start, Week 4 versus the Giants, he managed only 70 combined yards on 21 touches. However, his second opportunity should prove more fruitful. Dallas, overly generous in the trenches, has yielded 151.7 total yards per game, 1.0 touchdowns per game, 4.2 yards per carry and the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. Throw in the scorching hot play of Tyrod Taylor and Sammy Watkins, which could lead to favorable fronts, and Williams is a very attractive option in virtually any format.

Fearless Forecast: 11 carries, 67 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 9 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.6 fantasy points

 

[More rankings: QuarterbackRunning BackReceiver | Tight End | Flex | All Positions]

 

Rashad Jennings, NYG, RB (14 percent started, $14)


Matchup: at Min
Long considered a belly-up rusher for fantasy purposes, Jennings has suddenly been unleashed by Ben McAdoo breaking free from New York's rotational backfield. Resembling the versatile, off-the-tracks train that was once lauded as a RB2 in 12-team leagues, he's registered a workhorse-like 41 touches for 215 total yards and a touchdown the past two weeks. I've always been enamored with the journeyman's skill-set. He's a decisive downhill runner who gains appreciable yards after contact (63.3 YAC%) and is equipped with above average hands. Though he yielded several touches to Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa and putrid yule log Andre Williams throughout the early season, it's clear he will continue to be a point of emphasis, especially if head-hunter Odell Beckham's one-game suspension is upheld. Assuming he's fed upwards of 15-20 times, Jennings should slide inside the RB top-20. Minnesota, which has struggled without Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph, has surrendered 101.3 rush yards per game and the ninth-most fantasy points to RBs the past three weeks. Beckham's possible absence would lead to more overloaded boxes, but if the handsome workload continues, he's at least a highly employable RB2 in season-long and presumed low-owned DFS purchase.

Fearless Forecast: 17 carries, 89 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 11 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 17.0 fantasy points

Bilal Powell, NYJ, RB (9 percent started, $17)
Matchup: vs. NE
According to Chris Ivory owners, Powell is only a sled, "Max" and kleptomaniac mind short of being the Grinch. Stealing value from the incumbent, who looks to have slammed into a late-season wall, the secondary option has exhibited more explosiveness, elusiveness (40.4 MT% as a receiver) and versatility. Unbeknownst to most, he ranks as the third-most valuable rusher since Week 13 netting 89.7 total yards per game, 7.7 yards per touch and three touchdowns. Because of projected game flow, Powell could see upwards of 40-45 snaps this week against the Pats. He was unavailable the first time the AFC East participants clashed in Week 7, but if the rematch mimes the previous high-scoring bout, he's sure to play a pivotal role in the pass game. Keep in mind, New England has given up 5.6 receptions per game to the RB position. As well as the Pats secondary has performed of late (211.2 passing yards, 6.6 passing yards per attempt allowed since Week 11), the slippery rusher could be a point of emphasis for Ryan Fitzpatrick underneath, especially with Malcolm Butler and Co. focused on keeping Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker in check. That happens and he's sure to tally a handful of noteworthy chunk plays, possibly finding the end zone. He's more RB2 than FLEX with the whole enchilada at stake.

Fearless Forecast: 4 carries, 16 rushing yards, 6 receptions, 54 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 16.0 fantasy points

Markus Wheaton, Pit, WR (8 percent started, $16)


Matchup: at Bal
Earlier this season, no one wanted Wheaton. His numbers were wimpy and sad, the fantasy version of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But a few colored ornaments and a string of splashy performances later and the fantasy masses, for good reason, are reassessing. Including his utter annihilation of Seattle in Week 12, Wheaton ranks top-10 in per game over the past four weeks. And that standout effort is only partially responsible for the lofty rank. Against the Colts, Bengals and Broncos he amassed 177 yards on 13 receptions and crossed the chalk twice. With 37 targets also over that span (9.3 per game), he's become a coveted tertiary option in Todd Haley's high-flying offense. Now blessed with an incredibly friendly matchup, he's an employable WR3 even in 10-team leagues. As discussed in this space time and time again this season, Baltimore is wishing well for fantasy purposes. Toss a penny into it, and statistical riches are sure to follow. No secondary has surrendered more fantasy points to WRs this year. In total 17 wideouts, using Yahoo DFS scoring, have reached the 11 fantasy point mark against it. Every Ravens corner has allowed at least a 102.0 QB rating to their assignments. Every one. With Ben Roethlisberger searing and given the attention Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant are sure to draw, Wheaton is an unsung playoff hero who could score you the ship ... unless you brutally lost by 1.4 points thanks to Matt Prater's missed chip shot against the Saints (Yep, I was THAT guy. NO MORE KICKERS!).

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.6 fantasy points 

SHOCKER SPECIAL (Under 10 percent started)

Christine Michael, Sea, RB (4 percent started, $15)


Matchup: vs. StL
A human fantasy trophy, Michael has been passed around from team-to-team-to-team this season. Living a vagabond existence, he's gone from Seattle to Dallas to Washington to Seattle again. The only perk: He's logged enough frequent flier miles to pay for a flight to Jamaica. Ya mon! Those entrenched in the fantasy community have peddled Michael's wares for years. His blend of bulldozer power and speed have understandably seduced many, leading writers and self-proclaimed aficionados to make wild, often reckless declarations about his future productivity. Outside of a few explosive preseason runs, though, he never delivered on his promise. Inconsistencies in blitz pickup and pass-catching stymied him. However, the arrow is finally pointing up. Michael emerged from the fray, gained the upper-hand and bulled his way to a career-best 83 yards on 16 carries (5.3 ypc) last Sunday versus Cleveland. He impressively compiled 39 of those yards after initial contact. Now presumably in the diver's seat over Bryce Brown, he's worth employing as a RB2 or FLEX for all the marbles. Even with man-eater Aaron Donald in uniform, the "Lambs" have surrendered 4.26 yards per carry, 121.5 rushing yards per game and five touchdowns since Week 9, equal to the sixth-most fantasy points allowed. Functioning behind the No. 8 ranked run-blocking line according to Football Outsiders, the journeyman may finally deliver on his once glowing potential.

Fearless Forecast: 17 carries, 90 rushing yards, 0 receptions, 1 touchdown, 15.0 fantasy points 

BONUS WEEK 16 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: 33-70

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).