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It's Week 12, and the fantasy football playoffs are just around the corner. Teams are jostling for playoff position both in the real world and the fantasy world. You gotta have the right kicker at the right time in the right matchup, and it matters now more than ever.
The margin for error in these weeks is slim, and we have to scrap for every point that we can get. Kickers fly under the radar, but they still can help win your week. Five kickers were in double digits in Week 11, which were more than running backs Nick Chubb and James White managed.
In Week 12, we have just four teams on a bye, and it's all done after this week. One downside with this week, it's very possible that you're without four starting kickers with the teams that we have out. We'll be looking at who you should have in their place.
Week 12 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Matt Gay (TB) @ ATL
2. Jason Myers (SEA) @ PHI
3. Justin Tucker (BAL) @ LAR
4. Wil Lutz (NO) vs CAR
5. Matt Prater (DET) @ WAS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay claims the top spot this week. The Atlanta Falcons Defense has shown some flashes the last two weeks, but this offense is still one of the most high octane in the NFL. Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is next. Against the Philadelphia Eagles Defense, the Seahawks should be racking up a ton of points. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker slides up to the No. 3 spot this week. His offense is thumping everyone and the Los Angeles Rams won't be slowing them down.
New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz is going to see his stock continue to trend upwards as long as quarterback Drew Brees continues to keep this offense rolling. Against the Carolina Panthers Defense, they'll be able to get into scoring position pretty often. Rounding out the top five is Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater. Prater could still be playing with quarterback Jeff Driskel next week, but the Washington Redskins are just that bad.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Younghoe Koo (ATL) vs TB
7. Nick Folk (NE) vs DAL
8. Robbie Gould (SF) vs GB
9. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs IND
10. Stephen Hauschka (BUF) vs DEN
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo gets a matchup at home against the Buccaneers Defense that hasn't been able to stop anyone all season long. New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk didn't miss a beat in Week 11. He made all three of his field-goal attempts, and they'll get a good matchup this week with a Dallas defense that has struggled of late. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (quad) is dealing with an injury, but if he's able to go, he's going to be a good option with how the 49ers have been scoring points of late. Otherwise, his backup Chase McLaughlin gets his spot.
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn just got done with the team's worst game under quarterback Deshaun Watson. They'll be able to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. Rounding out tier two is Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka. The Denver Broncos Defense is good enough to slow them down in the red zone, which gives more opportunities for Hauschka to get points on the board.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Mason Crosby (GB) @ SF
12. Jake Elliott (PHI) vs SEA
13. Joey Slye (CAR) @ NO
14. Daniel Carlson (OAK) @ NYJ
15. Austin Seibert (CLE) vs MIA
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is playing for one of the NFL's best teams, and they travel west for a litmus-test game against the 49ers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will continue to give him scoring opportunities. Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is next in the rankings. While the Seahawks have had no trouble moving the ball, their defense gives up a ton of points. In the No. 13 spot is Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye. This offense struggled last week, but they should be able to get back on track against the Saints in Week 12.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson slides into the back end of these rankings thanks to a matchup against a bad New York Jets Defense. The Raiders find ways to move the ball, and Carlson has done a good job of capitalizing on those opportunities. Cleveland Browns kicker Austin Seibert gets the final spot. Even if they're without some defensive talents, this offense should be able to put up points against the overmatched Miami Dolphins Defense.
Kickers to Avoid
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers is on my list this week just because of the shambles that we have in Pittsburgh. Because of so many injuries, their offense is extremely limited at the skill positions, and I don't see them moving the ball as well.
Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys is here for a few reasons. His offense has struggled this year against good teams, and they're heading on the road to play the New England Patriots, who are one of the best teams in the NFL at home.
Aldrick Rosas of the New York Giants has a brutal matchup this week. They're playing the fourth-best scoring defense in the NFL in the Chicago Bears, and the game is on the road. With a rookie quarterback leading the charge, it's not a great situation for him to put points on the board.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
