Guys. Thank god for Redzone. Can we seriously take a moment and just realize how great a gift that channel is? Otherwise, I would have been stuck watching the Giants (gross) for the latter part of the afternoon into the evening. Not that I wanted to watch much after The Jets lost to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Oh well. At least Robbie Anderson helped me out big time at the end there.
Anyways, it’s time to get down to the important stuff. Just a reminder we’ve got three levels of kickers, FG’s, Touchbackers and Squibs. Anyone not listed is someone you should avoid.
FG’s
- Greg Zuerlein, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Minnesota Vikings). At this point what more needs to be said? The past three games Zuerlein has recorded 17 points. Each game. AND He’s the NFL leading scorer. Unless Jared Goff goes down, there’s no reason not to start him every week.
- Jake Elliot, Philadephia Eagles (vs. Dallas Cowboys). So, Elliot has not been great his last couple of games. Over his last three, Elliot has missed three extra points and one field goal.That being said,The Eagles bye was last week, giving him a chance to get his groove back and he’s absolutely going to get his chances. Against one of the worst defenses (with one of the best Offenses) Elliot is a good play here.
- Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots (vs. Oakland Raiders). The Patriots O is clicking on all cylinders at this point in the season. And now with Martellus Bennett coming back? Please. The way Tom Brady & Co. are playing at this point, Gostkowski might just be a weekly starter. Play him if you got him.
- Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Giants). 1. Butker’s name always reminds me of this scene from The Office. 2. Is there a more pathetic team in the NFL this year than The Giants? That team has completely given up. Had they been playing an average team and not the previously unbeaten 49er’s, that game could have been the blowout of the year. Now that they are, that’s exactly what I expect to happen this week. Butker should get all the chances in the world on Sunday.
- Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Cleveland Browns) Pick any kicker playing the Browns for the rest of the season. The D for the Browns has NOT been good lately (they have scored 8 over the last two games) and Jacksonville’s keep away style of play is not a good matchup for them. Lambo should have a solid day here.
- Matt Prater, Detriot Lions (vs Chicago Bears). I’m expecting big things from Prater this week. The Lion’s offense is rolling (the defense is another story) and they match up this week against a Bears D that only scored 3 points against a practically hapless Green Bay team. Prater should have a good day Sunday.
- Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (vs. Washington Redskins). The Saints are rolling. and after last week have shown they can beat you by air and by land (sorry no sea there). and there is no end in sight for this pleasant surprise. Lutz might have missed an extra point last week, but based on the fact that he got 6 chances (and two field goal opportunities) he should do well next week.
Touchbackers
- Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, (vs Green Bay Packers), Tucker should have a good game. Tucker seems to be back to form, as last week as he hit both of his field goals and extra points. Against a lifeless Green Bay D, The Ravens match up well, and Tucker should benefit.
- Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons (vs Seattle Seahawks). Who will prevail? The underachieving offense or the underachieving defense? Only time will tell. That being said I think Bryant has a good game here. Richard Shermanis gone for the year, and when you look back at this season, Seattle’s D has had some super favorable matchups. That ends this week against the Falcons and Bryant will benefit from it.
- Stephen Hauschka, Buffalo Bills (@ Los Angeles Chargers). How will Buffalo respond to being dismantled last week by the Saints last week? How will they deal with the time change? My guess is alright. However, there is one thing that would change this pick for me and that’s Phillip River’s health status. He entered the Concussion protocol yesterday, and if he can’t go, I think the Bills win big. And if they win big, Hauschka will be a steal this week.
- Ryan Succop, Tennessee Titans (vs Pittsburgh Steelers). Succop has been one of the NFL’s best kickers season, but unfortunately for him, Tennesse’s offense is not on the same level. Start him and expect a decent payout.
Squibs
- – 13. Brandon McManus/Randy Bullock (Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos). This game will be a poop fest. And a toss up. So pick one of them, and just pray that the other Defense is worse.
- Aldrick Rosas, New York Giants (vs. Kansas City Chiefs). Not only did he miss one of his field goals last week, he only got one opportunity for a field goal last week against the 49ers.