RADIO
Week 16 is here, and, for those of you that are still playing for something in your fantasy leagues, congratulations and good luck. For those of you that are just here because you have a passion for kickers that do in fact matter, welcome, and we're glad to have you.
Last week, we saw a lot of chalky kickers at the top of the scoreboard. The top two scorers, Kai Forbath of the Dallas Cowboys and Dan Bailey of the Minnesota Vikings, rode their teams' high-scoring days of 44 and 39 points respectively.
In Week 16, we're either in the championships or the semifinals. We have no room for error, and we need to get our top options in our lineups. Maybe you're playing DFS, and you're trying to see what kicker is going to win you the big money. That's why we're here.
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Week 16 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Justin Tucker (BAL) @ CLE
2. Harrison Butker (KC) @ CHI
3. Kai Forbath (DAL) @ PHI
4. Matt Gay (TB) vs HOU
5. Robbie Gould (SF) vs LAR
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is playing on an elite offense against a bad defense. The Cleveland Browns just can't get out of their own way, but I think they force more field goals for him this week. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is seeing his offense continue to roll. Against a good Chicago Bears Defense, he could be kicking a lot more field goals than we normally see. Forbath slides into the rankings this week because, in the battle for the inept NFC East, Dallas is just the better and more talented team that will score more points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay is in here despite the Buccaneers missing their top two wide receivers because this offense just keeps scoring points. Against the Houston Texans Defense, they should have no problems getting down into scoring range. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould rounds out the top five. This offense slowed down last week in a big letdown matchup, but they should bounce back in a big divisional game this week.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Jason Sanders (MIA) vs CIN
7. Wil Lutz (NO) @ TEN
8. Nick Folk (NE) vs BUF
9. Jason Myers (SEA) vs ARI
10. Mason Crosby (GB) @ MIN
That's right, for the third week in a row, I'm ranking Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders. The Dolphins get to play the bad Cincinnati Bengals Defense, and I think he scores quite a bit. Saints kicker Wil Lutz just saw his quarterback break the record for all-time passing touchdowns, and I think they keep rolling against a Tennessee Titans team that is looking to grab that final playoff spot. Patriots kicker Nick Folk tied for third in scoring last week, and, in what should be a tight divisional matchup with the Buffalo Bills, he could be the team's leading scorer.
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers gets a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals as they look to keep their hold on the top seed in the NFC. This offense will be looking to put up 30+ points again this week, and this matchup can make that happen. Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is up next. The major worry with him is that their offense has been very efficient in the red zone. The Vikings Defense always plays them tight, so they could force more field goals this weekend.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Zane Gonzalez (ARI) @ SEA
12. Ryan Succop (TEN) @ NO
13. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ TB
14. Eddy Pineiro (CHI) vs KC
15. Dan Bailey (MIN) vs GB
Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez has seen his offense slow down in recent weeks, outside of Week 15. The Seattle defense is soft enough to allow them to bounce back. He should score a fair bit this week. Titans kicker Ryan Succop is up next because this offense just finds ways to score points. They do it with big throws down the field, and that's where this Saints Defense can be had. Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn gets to go to Florida to play in the nice weather against a bad Buccaneers Defense. They should feast.
Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro is here largely because this game is at home. The Chiefs Defense has improved this season, but the Bears offense has done the same. They should be able to move the ball this week. Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is up next, and he could finish higher than his ranking. However, my major issue with him has to do with an offense that can struggle at times against aggressive defenses as the one Green Bay employs. If you're in a deep hole, he could have a big week to help you bounce back.
Kickers to Avoid
Joey Slye of the Carolina Panthers was a top-five lock for much of the year, but, as the offense has struggled, so has he. This week, they'll have a rookie quarterback in Will Grier starting his first game in a lost season. You just can't trust Slye this week.
Greg Zuerlein has not been here once in my two years of writing this column, but he is today. This offense struggles against defenses that apply a lot of pressure, and the 49ers Defense applies a lot of pressure. I don't want him as my kicker this week.
Austin Seibert has seen his offense explode at times this year, but they also just laid a goose egg in a great matchup last week. I don't want anything to do with him this week, and I want to avoid every Brown possible if I can help it this week.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
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