Week 10 Fantasy Lames: Marshall to fire blanks, yet again

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 10 Lames in the comments section below.

SEE WEEK 10 FLAMES HERE

Ben Roethlisberger, Pit, QB (59 percent started, $35 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: vs. Dal
What’s happened to Big Ben? Is the knee injury to blame? Unsteady performances outside Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown? Whatever is ailing the gunslinger, he’s only occasionally resembled the howitzer we’ve seen the past few seasons. If not for a fortunate rush TD Week 9, we would be talking about a QB with three sub-20 fantasy-point performances in his past five games. Most worrisome, he’s completed under 56 percent of his passes four times in seven games. Deep dials (7.0 per game) and his stellar red-zone efficiency (70.8 completion percentage) have rescued him, but they’re merely an ointment masking visible warts. This week, Dallas could make those sores throb. Though down Morris Claiborne, the ‘Boys remain very talented at defensive back. Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick and Claiborne replacement Anthony Brown have given up a combined 7.3 fantasy points per game to their assignments. As a whole, Jerry Jones’ crew has surrendered only 6.9 pass yards per attempt and just under 17.0 fantasy points per game to passers. Admittedly, Roethlisberger is more formidable at home, but trepidation should be expressed, especially for the DFS crowd.

Fearless Forecast: 257 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 turnovers, 16.3 fantasy points

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Carlos Hyde, SF, RB (50 percent started, $24 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at Ari
Tequila and tacos. That’s how much yours truly adores Hyde. Alongside Melvin Gordon and DeMarco Murray (Yes, I talked up both preseason, unbelievably), the Gold Panner was a primary target in auction and snake drafts. Though placed in an adverse situation, his mixture of power, evasiveness and receiving ability pointed to substantial profitability. Despite missing a pair of games due to a shoulder injury, he’s greatly exceeded my high expectations. Most astounding, he’s logged the seventh-most red-zone carries on the season, converting several touches for touchdowns (six in total). Couple that with his 92.4 percent catch rate and 33 total evaded tackles (5.5 per game), and it’s undeniable how talented he is. And he accomplished that functioning behind the worst run-blocking line in the league. It’s not difficult to imagine the sick numbers he could achieve in a more favorable environment like Dallas or Oakland. However, speaking objectively, it’s hard to count on Hyde in Week 10. Arizona’s defensive line, spearheaded by run-stuffer Calais Campbell, has repeatedly swallowed opposing RBs whole. On the year, the Cardinals have allowed just 3.4 yards per carry and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to rushers. Only LeGarrette Blount has eclipsed 10 fantasy points against them at home. He may benefit in garbage time and Colin Kaepernick’s rushing ability aids him, but, on the surface, Hyde is a fringe-worthy RB2 in 12-team leagues, assuming he finally sheds the non-contact jersey in practice this week.

Fearless Forecast (If active): 18 carries, 73 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 10.2 fantasy points

Christine Michael, Sea, RB (69 percent started, $23 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: at NE
With Thomas Rawls slated to return Week 11, your window to turn a profit on Michael is quickly closing. This season, the Awakened One has, for the most part, finally delivered on his enormous promise. Worshiped by the metrics community since he broke into the league in 2013, he ranks RB17 in per game average since Week 3. His 29.4 juke rate (No. 14 among RBs) and top-seven ranking in evaded tackles (5.3 per game) also stand out. However, his TD consistency and strong secondary profile have cloaked growing wounds. Over his past six games, he’s tallied a pedestrian 3.7 yards per carry and averaged only 53.5 rush yards per game. Piling on, his snap share has rapidly dwindled going from 46-to-28-to-18 over the past three weeks. It’s difficult to pinpoint reasons for the downturn outside C.J. Prosise’s increased role, but it’s very apparent OC Darrell Bevell is straying away from C-Mike. Don’t expect that script to suddenly change in New England. It’s possible the rusher could be deployed early and often to keep Tom Brady at bay, but given how nuclear the Pats offense is and Seattle’s sudden insufficient coverage (261-plus pass yards allowed in four straight), another light workload is likely. In fact, if game flow favors New England, it’s entirely possible Prosise out-touches Michael 2:1. Jordan Howard (at TB), Kapri Bibbs (at NO) and Tim Hightower (vs. Den) are more desirable options this week.

Fearless Forecast: 10 carries, 38 rushing yards, 1 receptions, 4 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 4.7 fantasy points

Brandon Marshall, NYJ, WR (92 percent started, $24 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: vs. LA
Buried somewhere in Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ever expanding beard is Marshall’s fantasy value. Once adored for his week-to-week consistency, the borderline Hall of Famer is a sore subject for his owners. Over the past four weeks he’s averaged an atrocious 55.5 yards per game and cranked out enough donuts, TD speaking, to open up several Krispy Kreme franchises. Eric Decker’s absence combined with Fitzpatrick’s horrendous execution explain the underachievement. It’s no shocker the relationship between the WR and his QB is a bit rocky. He’s still netting 27.4 percent of the target share, but a marked decline in yards per target (’15: 8.7; ’16: 6.8) and red-zone catches (Only five thus far) arrow to continued unpleasantness. So does this week’s matchup. The Rams rank in the top-half in fantasy points allowed to the wide receivers, but with Trumaine Johnson back in the fold, they’re a stiffer opponent than what cursory numbers portray. When lined up outside, Marshall is sure to see plenty of Johnson, who’s yielded a 71.3 passer rating this year. Meanwhile, when shifted to the slot, which he’s done 14 percent of the time, the WR will match wits with LaMarcus Joyner, a corner surrendering just 5.8 fantasy points per game. Bottom line, Marshall, who now ranks WR38 in fantasy per game on the year, is no longer a must-start. Corey Coleman (at Bal), Rishard Matthews (vs. GB) and Tyreek Hill (at Car) offer more upside.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 69 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.9 fantasy points

Brandin Cooks, NO, WR (93 percent started, $26 in Yahoo DFS)
Matchup: vs. Den
The Chef Boyardee of WRs is about to serve his unwavering supporters a crap sandwich. Though he’s registered only 18.1 percent of the team’s target share, Cooks has largely lived up to his WR1 billing. Currently No. 8 in fantasy points per game at the position, he’s scored in three of his past four contests and is on pace for an 82-1,192-10 campaign. As his ancillary numbers indicate, he’s one of the league’s deadliest receivers after the catch (WR6 in YAC/TGT). Blessed with a terrific schedule down the stretch, he’s sure to be a critical cog on many playoff-bound squads. But this week, backers should seriously debate a one-time demotion. The Broncos have come unraveled in some areas defensively, particularly containing the run, but they remain the league’s most tightfisted unit versus the pass. In total, they’ve allowed 101.1 yards per game to WRs. Only Kelvin Benjamin and A.J. Green have surpassed the 75-yard mark against them. Bottling up diminutive targets – Cooks lists at 5-foot-10 – has been an easy task. Even down Aqib Talib, Chris Harris (69.6 passer rating allowed) and Bradley Roby (64.2) should barely break a sweat keeping the wideout under wraps. Cooks’ exorbitant price tag in Yahoo DFS is asinine. Expect a vanishing act similar to what he experienced against San Diego (3-31-0) and Atlanta (2-13-0) earlier this year.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 45 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 6.5 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 10 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: 24-35

Noise Record: 45-44 (Week 9: 6-3; W: Matthew Stafford, Kelvin Benjamin, Jonathan Stewart, Amari Cooper, Travis Kelce, Philadelphia D/ST; L: Frank Gore, LeSean McCoy, Mark Ingram)

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).