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Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season is just about wrapped up, and we saw plenty of wild and crazy things this past weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs scored 40 points on the day, and they were only third among the highest scorers. With several high scoring games, we saw quite a few active kickers.
Nine kickers hit double digits which means nine kickers had more points than Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. In Week 2, multiple matchups could be opportunities for kickers to put up points with a few opportunities for good offenses playing bad defenses.
We had a couple of injuries late in the week that resulted in replacements being made. These rankings will be made with the Week 1 kickers in place, and they will be adjusted as starters are cleared to play throughout the week.
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Week 2 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Harrison Butker (KC) @ OAK
2. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) vs NO
3. Wil Lutz (NO) @ LAR
4. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) @ MIA
5. Cairo Santos (TEN) vs IND
At the top of the list for Week 2, we have the top-scoring kicker from Week 1 in Harrison Butker from the Chiefs. The Chiefs travel to take on the Oakland Raiders that could be feisty enough to force some field goals. Greg Zuerlein of the Los Angeles Rams is next up. Zuerlein was solid as ever with 14 points in Week 1. In a rematch from the NFC championship game, this game could be a shootout, but the New Orleans Saints have a better defense that could force more field goals.
In the three spot, we have Lutz of the Saints. Lutz plays on a high-powered offense that gives him plenty of opportunities to score. It also is a high-scoring matchup. Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots are up next. If the Patriots don't put up at least 45 points against the Miami Dolphins, I'll be shocked. He'll score points as a result. Tennessee Titans kicker Cairo Santos was busy against the Browns. In Week 2, they'll face a Colts team that has a better defense which means more chances to kick field goals over extra points.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs ARI
7. Robbie Gould (SF) @ CIN
8. Stephen Hauschka (BUF) @ NYG
9. Brett Maher (DAL) @ WAS
10. Jake Elliott (PHI) @ ATL
Justin Tucker from the Baltimore Ravens holds down the six spot for the second week in a row. His big leg and accuracy get a juicy matchup against a soft Arizona Cardinals Defense. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is next on our list. The 49ers offense bogged down at times on Sunday, but they consistently got him into kicking range. Stephen Hauschka of the Buffalo Bills heads to face the New York Giants that just got rocked by the Dallas Cowboys. On a strong Buffalo team, he should do some good work.
Brett Maher of the Cowboys is next up. Dallas had all of their weapons, and they made it work for them. Against the Washington Redskins, they should have no trouble moving the ball. Jake Elliott of the Philadelphia Eagles had a quiet first half, but the offense found a way to move the ball. Against an Atlanta Falcons team that struggled mightily in Week 1, they'll give him some more opportunities to get in scoring positions.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Joey Slye (CAR) vs TB
12. Jason Myers (SEA) @ PIT
13. Adam Vinatieri (IND) @ TEN
14. Dan Bailey (MIN) @ GB
15. Michael Badgley (LAC) @ DET
Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye filled in very well for Graham Gano in Week 1. He was a top-10 kicker in Week 1, and he should have no problem duplicating that production. Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks played in a game that was closer than expected. It's unlikely they blow out the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they should put up a fair amount of points. Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts had his worst game as a pro. That won't happen again next week.
Dan Bailey of the Minnesota Vikings wasn't super active during Week 1. Against a Green Bay Packers team that could force some field goals, he'll get more opportunities. Michael Badgley of the Los Angeles Chargers rounds out this week's rankings. He missed Week 1 due to injury, but he should be able to get on the field for Week 2. If he's unable, his substitute will take his place.
Kickers to Avoid
Matt Gay of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a sleeper option during Week 1. Unfortunately for him, quarterback Jameis Winston couldn't get anything rolling. Against a better Panthers Defense on a Thursday night, he can be avoided in Week 2.
Eddy Pineiro of the Chicago Bears made his lone field-goal attempt in Week 1. Despite that, with an offense that sputtered against a defense that should slow them down again, he likely won't be super active. On the other side of the ball, Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus can be avoided for a similar reason.
Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins is in a sad place. He's a good player, but he's playing for a terrible offense. In Week 2, they're up against the Patriots that could pitch a shutout without blinking. Avoid Sanders while the Dolphins offense sorts out the mess that they have on that side of the ball.
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