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Congratulations to all of you still competing in your fantasy football playoffs! And to those of you fighting in the consolation bracket, while you may need to wait until 2022 to claim bragging rights, hopefully your consolation bracket comes with its own monetary reward to encourage teams to keep playing. At the end of the day, this is all just for fun and more fantasy football is good for everyone. Am I right?
As we have all season, we'll be looking at the kickers this week. Below you'll find my Week 15 rankings, along with their opponent, their point per game average, and the over/under number of their game. Fantasy managers are always looking to find that fast-paced game with a high-scoring output because those come with the most fantasy goodness and the same is true for kickers.
As we enter the first week of the playoffs, there are a few high-ranking kickers that come with a big warning label on them this week. It's definitely something to watch and consider as fantasy managers are setting their lineups. Nine kickers scored 12 or more points and those kinds of performances can give any fantasy managers a 4–6 point advantage or it could go the other way. Don't underestimate the kicker position. Don't forget about it, especially in the playoffs.
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Week 15 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football
| Tier | Kicker | Opponent | PPG | Over/Under | Confidence |
| 1 | Matt Gay | vs SEA | 9.4 | 47.5 | 9.9 |
| Nick Folk | @ IND | 11.1 | 46 | 9.8 | |
| Harrison Butker | @ LAC | 8.6 | 50.5 | 9.6 | |
| Matt Prater | @ DET | 8.0 | 47.5 | 9.6 | |
| Greg Zuerlein | @ NYG | 8.8 | 45 | 9.5 | |
| Tyler Bass | vs CAR | 8.5 | 43.5 | 9.4 | |
| Dustin Hopkins | vs KC | 8.5 | 50.5 | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Justin Tucker | vs GB | 9.9 | 42.5 | 8.7 |
| Greg Joseph | @ CHI | 9.3 | 43.5 | 8.6 | |
| Daniel Carlson | @ CLE | 9.2 | 42 | 8.5 | |
| Evan McPherson | @ DEN | 8.8 | 43.5 | 8.5 | |
| Robbie Gould | vs ATL | 8.3 | 45.5 | 8.3 | |
| Ryan Succop | vs NO | 7.6 | 46.5 | 8.3 | |
| 3 | Chris Boswell | vs TEN | 8.7 | 41.5 | 7.7 |
| Randy Bullock | @ PIT | 7.9 | 41.5 | 7.7 | |
| Mason Crosby | @ BAL | 7.3 | 42.5 | 7.6 | |
| Jake Elliott | vs WAS | 8.5 | 43.5 | 7.5 | |
| Michael Badgley | vs NE | 7.4 | 46 | 7.4 | |
| Brandon McManus | vs CIN | 7.3 | 43.5 | 7.3 | |
| Brian Johnson | @ PHI | 6.2 | 43.5 | 7.1 | |
| 4 | Graham Gano | vs DAL | 7.8 | 45 | 6.7 |
| Jason Sanders | vs NYJ | 6.2 | 43 | 6.7 | |
| Jason Myers | @ LAR | 4.8 | 47.5 | 6.5 | |
| Chase McLaughlin | vs LVR | 6.2 | 42 | 6.5 | |
| Brett Maher | @ TB | 5.5 | 46.5 | 6.3 | |
| Younghoe Koo | @ SF | 6.6 | 45.5 | 6.2 | |
| 5 | Cairo Santos | vs MIN | 6.4 | 43.5 | 5.7 |
| Matthew Wright | vs HOU | 4.5 | 41 | 5.6 | |
| Matt Ammendola | @ MIA | 4.1 | 43 | 5.5 | |
| Zane Gonzalez | @ BUF | 7.6 | 43.5 | 5.3 | |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | @ JAX | 4.4 | 41 | 5.2 | |
| Riley Patterson | vs ARI | 6.3 | 47.5 | 5.0 |
Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 15
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles
Elliott has been a bit boom-or-bust lately, but it's been mostly boom and when he boomed, he's boomed BIG. Since Week 8, he's averaged 12.2 points per game. He has performances of 16, 14, 19, and 17. Those are backend WR1 or RB1 numbers right there and getting that many points out of your kicker position can easily sway a particular matchup. The Eagles were on bye in Week 14, so they are likely well-rested, healthy, and solidly prepared for their divisional opponent, the Washington Football Team. Washington has been a good matchup this season for opposing defenses as Washington is giving up 9.1 points per game to kickers, which is tied for 11th-most in the NFL. Fantasy managers should feel confident firing him up this week.
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins
Full disclosure, you'd have to be comfortable living on the wild side to start Sanders in Week 15, but he's got the best kicker matchup in all of football, the Dolphins have been rolling and he's scored 10 points in three out of his last four, so there are definitely some signs of life here. The Dolphins are on a five game winning streak and coming off their bye week, ready and rested to face the lowly Jets. Tagovailoa has been getting into a rhythm and it's helped the whole offense. They're still not an efficient scoring machine, which is okay because fantasy managers don't want their kicker's offense cashing in touchdown drives all the time. The Jets have allowed 11.8 points per game to opposing kickers and the Dolphins and they've got an outside shot at the playoffs. Don't be surprised if Sanders finishes with another double-digit performance.
Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy managers have likely started Succop all year, but he's really more of a streamer. He has only three games of double-digits and five games with six or less. The Buccaneers' offense is extremely efficient, almost too efficient at times. That said, this upcoming matchup in Week 15 is a good one for the Bucs and is one fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to fire up Succop. The Saints have given up the 12th-fewest points and yards in the NFL. Typically that wouldn't be a positive for a kicker, but fantasy managers need the Bucs' offense to meet some resistance and that should happen on Sunday. The Saints have been an excellent matchup for kickers this season, as well. They've allowed the fourth-most points per game, allowing 9.9 to opposing kickers.
Kicker Busts to Avoid for Week 15
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
First off, you cannot sit Justin Tucker. You just can't. Do consider this a warning because there are some reasons to be concerned about Tucker this weekend. The Ravens have not scored more than 22 points in a single game since Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. From Weeks 10–14, they are averaging a disappointing 15.4 points per game. Now, Lamar Jackson is dealing with an ankle sprain and is unlikely to be 100% this weekend. The offense was already struggling mightily before, but now their best offensive player is going to be somewhat limited. How much? That remains to be seen, but he was carted off during their Week 14 game and did not return. In Week 15, they go up against one of the best defenses in all of football. The Packers are allowing the seventh-fewest points per game and the sixth-fewest yards per game and it's possible they get one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL back this weekend in Jaire Alexander. All of that is worrisome within itself, but Green Bay has been one of the stingiest defenses to opposing kickers. They've given up the fifth-fewest points to opposing kickers at just 6.3 points per game. Unless fantasy managers have the ability to grab another top-five option, you need to stick with Tucker, but there are some warning signs to be concerned about.
Michael Badgley, Indianapolis Colts
Badgley hasn't been bad in terms of fantasy football, but he's rarely been a difference-maker either. He's been between 7–11 in every game he's played with the Colts, with two 11-point performances. That kind of consistency will no doubt look very appealing, especially in the fantasy playoffs. One of the biggest things that is concerning about Badgley this week is his lack of upside. His best performance this season is 11 and he only has two double-digit performances. It would also be fair to say Badgley has a very nice floor and so far this season, that's been true. This week, however, they go up against the New England Patriots. The Patriots are allowing the third-fewest yards per game as a defense and the fewest amount of points in the NFL. They're giving up just 5.8 points per game to opposing kickers, which is the third-fewest. For a kicker who hasn't shown a big ceiling, the matchup is concerning and makes him someone to be avoided.
Dustin Hopkins, Los Angeles Chargers
Normally, this would be a game fantasy managers should want as many players as they can get their hands on, but there are some concerns as it relates to the Chargers' side of things. For starters, star Austin Ekeler is banged up and was unable to finish their Week 14 game. If he's unable to go, it would be a major hit to their offense. Rashawn Slater, their rookie left tackle, who has been phenomenal this season has been placed on the Covid–19 list and has been ruled out for their Thursday Night game. The absence of Slater and possibly Ekeler is a big negative to Hopkins' value. The bigger issue might be how the Chiefs' defense has been playing. In their last six games, only two opponents have broken double-digits. In those last six games, the Chiefs' defense is allowing just 10.8 points per game. They have been absolutely on fire. With the Chargers' offense possibly being short-handed and going up against the hottest defense in the league, fantasy managers would be wise to avoid Hopkins.
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