RADIO
We’ve made it to Week 8. Everyone pour one out because the NFL season is nearly half over. We’ve seen more injuries to star players than I think we’ve ever come across before. Defenses continue to struggle to stop opposing offenses, and kickers are benefiting in a massive way thus far.
We’ve now seen back-to-back weeks where a kicker single-handedly won their team the game after Buffalo Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass put up 18 points on the New York Jets, and he had 23 in fantasy. Kickers Matt Prater and Zane Gonzalez of the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals’ tied with 16, and Gonzalez would have had 17 if it weren’t for a miss late in the team’s come-from-behind win over the Seattle Seahawks.
With Covid-19 continuing to weave its way through NFL locker rooms, bye weeks are getting more and more difficult to navigate. We have four teams currently slated for byes this week in the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans. A couple of these guys have been locked for fantasy lineups, so you could be forced into a switch here.
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
- Harrison Butker (KC) vs NYJ
- Rodrigo Blankenship (IND) @ DET
- Mason Crosby (GB) vs MIN
- Stephen Gostkowski (TEN) @ CIN
- Ryan Succop (TB) @ NYG
We start off the first tier with one of the most consistent kickers in football in Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker. The over/under for this game is set at 48.5, and the Chiefs are favored by 19.5 over the New York Jets. Just start him and enjoy the points. Indianapolis Colts’ kicker Rodrigo Blankenship gets the next spot. The Colts aren’t great on offense this year, but they are still finding ways to move the ball and score points. The Detroit Lions won’t stop that.
Green Bay Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby finds the third spot. Outside of Week 6, Green Bay has cleared 30 points in every game this season, including a 43-point outing in Week against the Minnesota Vikings. Similar to Butker, start him and be rewarded. Tennessee Titans’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski is next. He’s been a little inconsistent to start the season, but he should get rolling this week against a struggling Cincinnati Bengals’ defense. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ kicker Ryan Succop rounds out the top five. This Bucs’ offense is starting to roll, and they draw the New York Giants, who haven’t been able to stop anyone all year.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
- Jason Myers (SEA) vs SF
- Tyler Bass (BUF) vs NE
- Cody Parkey (CLE) vs LV
- Justin Tucker (BAL) vs PIT
- Samuel Sloman (LAR) @ MIA
Seattle Seahawks’ kicker Jason Myers remains arguably the most consistent player at his position this season. This offense is lighting up everyone they play, but I think they might get shut out in the red zone a bit this week against division-rival San Francisco 49ers. Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass comes in at seven. Buffalo will be looking to take down the wounded animal that is the New England Patriots. While they may not run up a heavy total, they should be able to move the ball.
Cleveland Browns’ kicker Cody Parkey is next. Even with Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) out for the year, they’ll be able to move the ball against a struggling Las Vegas Raiders’ team. Baltimore Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker returns to the rankings, as his team has a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s the best kicker in football, and the Ravens are still one of the league’s best offenses. Los Angeles Rams’ kicker Samuel Sloman rounds out our second tier. The Rams take on the Miami Dolphins, and this will be the easier matchup they’ve seen in a while which could lead to a big bounce-back.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
- Joey Slye (CAR) vs ATL
- Brandon McManus (DEN) vs LAC
- Michael Badgley (LAC) @ DEN
- Randy Bullock (CIN) vs TEN
- Chris Boswell (PIT) @ BAL
Carolina Panthers’ kicker Joey Slye is up next. The Panthers’ offense is moving the ball well, and they can keep putting up points this week against the Atlanta Falcons. Denver Broncos’ kicker Brandon McManus gets the next spot for a couple of reasons. One, it’s in Denver where the ball flies. Second, this offense is taking deep shots, and they’re going to hit sooner rather than later.
McManus’ opponent Michael Badgley is up next. This Chargers’ unit is getting the ball moving in multiple ways, and they’re playing in Denver. Lock him in. Cincinnati Bengals’ kicker Randy Bullock comes in next. The Titans have shown nothing on defense this year, and it doesn’t appear that it’s going to change this week. Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell grabs the final spot. I’m expecting a slugfest between these two squads, and he’s going to grab some field goals along the way.
Kickers to Avoid
Sam Ficken is our first avoidance of the week because *checks notes* Adam Gase is still the head coach. Quarterback Sam Darnold is back, and I still don’t want any piece of the Jets regardless of the matchup.
Graham Gano of the New York Giants doesn’t have an enviable task this week. His team is taking on a rolling Buccaneers’ roster, and his scoring opportunities are going to be few and far between.
Nick Folk of the New England Patriots gets our final spot. This team is averaging fewer points per game over their last four than the Jets, and they are playing a good defense on the road. You can’t trust the Patriots right now.
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