Week 16 Fantasy Lames: Todd Gurley, Aaron Rodgers to be Scrooges

Each week the Noise highlights 10 somewhat un-obvious 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 (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 Lames in the comments section below.

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

See Also: Week 16 Fantasy Flames

Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB (84 percent started, $33 in Yahoo DFS)

Matchup: at Ari
Mr. Olivia Munn hasn't exactly channeled his inner Obi-Wan in recent weeks. He's uncharacteristically failed to surpass the 20 fantasy point mark in three of his past five contests. Rodgers told ESPN recently the Packers lack a "clear-cut direction" offensively, a reasonable explanation for his dwindling production. Across the board, inconsistencies have kept scoring largely under wraps. Whether identifying problems in the ground or pass games, the central issue with Green Bay is its disheveled offensive line. Rocked by numerous injuries, it hasn't routinely opened up holes for Eddie Lacy nor given Rodgers adequate pocket time. Couple that with the club's fundamentally flawed wide receiver corps, particularly Davante Adams, and it's clear why the offense's identity is missing. Getting lost in the desert is a very real possibility for the Pack this week. Patrick Peterson and Friends, for the most part, have clamped down on opposing pass attacks surrendering 6.98 yards per attempt and the eight-fewest fantasy points to signal callers. The loss of Tyrann Mathieu, the No. 1 ranked CB according to Pro Football Focus, is an uppercut to the chin, but the Cardinals have considerable depth in their secondary. Jerraud Powers is expected to slide into the nickel role with rising star Justin Bethel (44.2 catch% allowed) moving outside. If they transition seamlessly, I suspect A-Rod scowls will be evergreen.

Fearless Forecast: 264 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 turnovers, 14 rushing yards, 17.9 fantasy points

Todd Gurley, StL, RB (82 percent started, $28)

Matchup: at Sea 
Is Gurley a top-five overall pick in fantasy drafts next year? That's a question owners and fanalysts will debate ceaselessly over the next several months. Based on his recent play, he certainly deserves such lofty consideration. Though his YPC is largely undesirable, his typical rigorous workloads, multi-purpose scoring and cemented goal-line role has him inside the RB top-5 in per game average on the season. An upgrade at QB and increased cohesiveness along the offensive line could lead him to galactic production down the road. This week, however, the revered rookie will be more mouse than monster. No defense has suffocated backs quite like Seattle. On the year the 'Hawks have yielded only 66.4 rush yards per game, 3.56 yards per carry and four ground scores to RBs equal to the fewest fantasy points allowed. Up front, K.J. Wright, who has recorded 48 stops this season, should easily find exploitable creases against the league's No. 22 run-blocking offensive line. The paper matchup combined with a predictable unfavorable game flow arrow to a light workload and overall unwanted result for Gurley. Benching him for Cameron Artis-Payne (at Atl), Bilal Powell (vs. NE) or James White (at NYJ) isn't some Steve Harvey brain fart.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 40 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 6.7 fantasy points 

Chris Ivory, NYJ, RB (72 percent started, $21)

Matchup: vs. NE
New York's jolly elf hasn't exactly shaken his bowl full of jelly here in recent weeks. In hibernation since Week 10, he's logged just one end-zone dive and 67.8 total yards per game. His resulting 9.3 points per game output checks in at No. 26 among rushers over that stretch. For those who've dealt with the statistical misery, including the balding buffoon who pens this column, no amount of eggnog has washed away the frustration. Bilal Powell, who's earned more opportunities down the homestretch, is fresher and peppier by comparison, which explains why Ivory has seen a reduced role. The starter has played well at the Meadowlands this season netting just over 10 fantasy points per game in a standard setting. But considering his recent string of mundane performances it's hard to employ No. 22 with bragging rights on the line, especially when weighing the matchup. The Pats, for the most part, have bayonetted opposing RBs. On the year, they've surrendered a mere 3.95 yards per carry, 84.6 rush yards per game and seven ground scores to RBs. That shakes out to the seventh-fewest fantasy points allowed. Game flow is another concern for Ivory. If Tom Brady rocks the jingle bells early, Powell would surely see some 40-45 snaps, eating into the incumbent's workload. A return similar to Week 7's (53 total yards, 0 TDs) is a very real possibility for the veteran.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 51 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 9 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7.0 fantasy points

Julio Jones, Atl, WR (97 percent started, $31)

Matchup: vs. Car
Odell Beckham and Josh Norman sharing a champagne toast on New Year's. That's more likely to happen than Jones finishing inside the wide receiver top-20 this week. Yes, I'm reigniting the battle with Julio. Detailed in this space just a couple weeks back, the alleged "must-start" receiver barely entered an "L" in the Lames column. Mostly contained by the aforementioned Norman, he tallied a 7-88-0 line, an output that ranked No. 28 among Week 14 wide receivers. Another lackluster effort is in store for the encore. With Beckham the exception, Norman has put a chokehold on his assignments. Allen Robinson, DeAndre Hopkins and Dez Bryant are just a few of his victims. Unless Kyle Shanahan gets creative with Jones and deploys him occasionally in the slot (27.6 slot%), much like McAdoo did with Beckham last week, Norman is sure to drape him. Mix in Matt Ryan's ongoing putridity, Julio's rare TDs and the fact only seven WRs have scored 12 or more fantasy points versus Carolina this season, and it's sage for owners to debate alternatives. Allen Hurns (at NO), Kamar Aiken (vs. Pit) and Willie Snead (vs. Jax) very well could outplay him.

Fearless Forecast: 6 receptions, 77 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 10.7 fantasy points 

Demaryius Thomas, Den, QB (88 percent started, $21)

Matchup: vs. Cin
For Denver's $70 million man, one can only hope Santa leaves a shiny new pair of mitts under the receiver's Christmas tree. Denver's unsteady QB play, DT's prolonged TD droughts and a nasty case of the dropsies (His 11 drops leads the league) offer reasons why the wideout hasn't measured up to WR1 expectations. Though he's heated up lately, he ranks No. 24 in per game average at his position, a far cry from his WR top-5 ADP back in August. No matter if it's Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler at the controls, Thomas is a pothole to dodge in DFS. Cincinnati is a difficult opponent. On the season, they've conceded the 10th-fewest fantasy points to WRs. Digging deeper, only four WRs have crossed the 12-fantasy point mark against it since Week 5. Corners Adam Jones (67.1 QB rating allowed) and Leon Hall (87.0) have been terrific all season long. DT should see another healthy dose of targets, but the unsavory matchup combined with his unreliability make him extremely risky in Week 16.

Fearless Forecast: 6 receptions, 68 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.8 fantasy points 

BONUS WEEK 16 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 "Flames" (1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 D/ST) by midnight PT Tuesdays via Twitter @YahooNoise. How large are your stones?

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).