Week 12 Fantasy Lames: Forte won't earn turkey leg in return

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 12 Lames in the comments section below.

[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $50K in our $350K contest for Week 12]

See Also: Week 12 Fantasy Flames

Matt Ryan, Atl, QB (61 percent started, $29 in Yahoo DFS)

Matchup: vs. Min
Tofu turkey. In fantasy terms, that's Ryan. Though he's been relatively useful this season, the decorated passer hasn't exactly blown the doors off statistically. He has completed a commendable 65.5 percent of his attempts and is on pace to establish a new career high in season pass yards (4,771), but, due to Devonta Freeman's emergence, he's registered a multi-TD performance in five of 10 starts. Unsurprisingly, his 17.5 fantasy points per game in Yahoo default ranks No. 20, behind such goliaths as Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Mr. Average Russell Wilson. When you have arguably the best receiver in the NFL to throw to (Julio Jones), Ryan's lack of fantasy substance is rather astonishing. Don't expect him to veer away from mediocrity in Week 12. Yes, Freeman, who is in post-concussion protocol, is a major question mark, but it's unlikely Kyle Shanahan will stray from a balanced attack. Rookie Tevin Coleman, a flashy, fleet-footed back, is more than capable of shouldering the load. Fire hydrant, Terron Ward, will also be worked in. The matchup is also unappealing. Though Xavier Rhodes is exploitable, DBs Terrance Newman and Captain Munnerlyn have defended brilliantly. Collectively, the Vikes have allowed a mere 6.83 pass yards per attempt and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to QBs. Philip Rivers, Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers are three big-named QBs who failed to cross the 20-point line against them. With the bye weeks in the books, Ryan is simply a middling option in Week 12. Give me Jay Cutler (at GB), Mariota (vs. Oak) and Brian Hoyer (vs. NO) over him.

Fearless Forecast: 276 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 13.0 fantasy points

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LeSean McCoy, Buf, RB (82 percent started, $27)

Matchup: at KC
Admittedly this is a very TEAM HUEVOS pick. Over the past couple weeks, the now healthy McCoy has regained the cut-on-a-dime moves that elevated him to megastar status in Philadelphia. Tossing Karlos Williams aside, the veteran has totaled 5.6 yards per carry, 133.7 combined yards per game and two touchdowns in his past three games, a top-five output. Another 15-20 touches are on the docket, but I'm not convinced Shady will sizzle on the road. Arrowhead is one of the more difficult environments in the NFL. The Chiefs, egged on by the deafening home crowd, routinely stonewall opponents. On the year, RBs are performing 23.9 percent below the league average against them. Statistically speaking, they've surrendered 3.79 yards per carry, six touchdowns and only three 12-plus fantasy point rushers. Most discouraging for McCoy, they've defended the short-field brilliantly. Giving up the second fewest receptions per game to RBs (3.3), Derrick Johnson (44.1 QB rating allowed) and friends have consistently thwarted easy dump-offs and swings. McCoy should post noteworthy yardage, but the unfavorable matchup alone suggests to fade in GPPs.

Fearless Forecast: 18 attempts, 74 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 10.4 fantasy points 

Matt Forte, Chi, RB (29* percent started, $29)

Matchup: at GB
Fending off riled up soccer moms for buy-one, get-one scented candles Thanksgiving Night will be a more pleasurable experience than watching Forte scuffle in Green Bay. Owners chomping at the bit to reinsert their first-round pick into starting lineups need to temper expectations. His extended layoff combined with Jeremy Langford's sudden ascension imply a minimized workload. Roughly 14-16 touches instead of the usual 20-plus workload is entirely possible for the veteran. Just last week Forte himself said he was open to splitting carries with the rookie. With a playoff berth still attainable, John Fox would be wise to establish a one-two punch, giving Langford some 10-12 touches per game many of those presumably coming in the red zone. If that scenario plays out, the incumbent should be considered more back-end RB2 material. The matchup, too, also warrants such a designation. The Packers, flattened not long ago by opposing rushers, have reversed course. Over the past three weeks, they've conceded only 2.69 yards per carry to RBs. Last week, Adrian Peterson crawled his way to 45 ground yards against them. Throw in Brett Favre's celebration, and no Bear is a safe start at Lambeau.

*Yes, below the required threshold, but if deemed ready, that number is sure to land in 60-70% range.

Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 52 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 13 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.0 fantasy points 

Dez Bryant, Dal, WR (92 percent started, $30)

Matchup: vs. Car
Rejoice Cowboys fans. The Romo-to-Bryant reconnection last week in Miami not only triggered salivary glands in the greater Dallas area, it also renewed playoff hope. In the punchline that is the NFC East, the 'Boys are still mathematically alive. Somehow upend the unblemished Panthers on Thanksgiving and things get very, very interesting. Though a W is entirely plausible, I'm not banking on Bryant to tote the torch for Dallas. His toe-to-toe battle with corner Josh Norman will be akin to Godzilla vs. Mothra. The blows exchanged should keep anyone from slipping into a post-turkey coma. However, the lanky corner should get the best of Dez. Targeted 58 times this season, Pro Football Focus' top-rated cover man has allowed only 29 receptions (50.0 catch%), 8.6 yards per catch, one touchdown and a 38.7 QB rating. The guy is white-on-rice. Overall, the Panthers have conceded the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs. Bryant will be shifted around to take advantage of matchups, but unless those no-Norman opportunities are seized, he could greatly underwhelm, paving the way for Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley or Jason Witten to rise to the occasion.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 63 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.8 fantasy points 

Stefon Diggs, Min, WR (50 percent started, $22)

Matchup: at Atl
At Vikings HQ, superlatives about the rookie receiver have been tossed around frequently. He's drawn comparisons to three-time Pro Bowl selection Henry Ellard and Antonio Brown, esteemed company. Diggs stormed out of the gates Weeks 4-8 totaling 25 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns equal to the eight-best WR line during that stretch. But as it always is the case in a film-crunching league, defenses have made adjustments since. Over his past three games, he's accounted for an uninspiring 5.5 fantasy points per game, which ranks No. 63 among WRs. Undoubtedly, the kid's ceiling is astronomical. His clean routes, dependable hands and plus frame arrow to noteworthy numbers down the road. However, Teddy Bridgewater's stalled development and given the conservative nature of Minnesota's scheme, inconsistency will continue to reign supreme. This week in Atlanta, another sour effort is likely. The Falcons secondary doesn't get enough respect. Robert Alford (47.8 catch% allowed) and Desmond Trufant (51.5) have routinely hogtied top targets. Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans and T.Y. Hilton all failed to crack 50 yards against them. In all, the Falcons have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs. Purchase the rookie at a pricey $22 in our daily game and chances are you'll Diggs a DFS grave.

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

BONUS WEEK 12 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?

Reader Record: 40-38

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).