Week 18 Kicker Streamers and Starts - 2023 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

January 3, 2024

Tony Camino breaks down all 2023 fantasy football Week 18 kickers - streamers, starts, sits, targets, avoids, and waiver wire pickups. Our Week 18 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL kickers.

Congrats to all those in their championship! Today, we are back with more fantasy football advice to help you set those winning lineups with our Week 18 fantasy football kicker streamers and starts. Selecting the right kicker could be the difference between winning or losing your league matchup.

We'll look to replicate success from Week 17, where streamers Jake Moody and Matt Gay scored nine and 12 points, respectively. Avoiding Joey Slye was the right choice, as he scored just five points, while Greg Zuerlein finished with nine points in a surprisingly high-scoring game.

Let’s aim for significant success this week in playoff matchups. Here are the Week 18 rankings and kickers to stream and avoid.

Week 18 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football

Kicker Streamers to Target in Week 18

All streamers in this article are rostered in under 60% of Yahoo leagues.

Jason Myers (SEA) at Arizona Cardinals (58% Rostered)

Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers ranks as the fifth-best kicker in fantasy football this year, averaging nine points per game. He has scored at least 13 points in four games and boasts an impressive 33-of-40 field goals made this season. In Week 17, Myers made all five kicks, including three field goals, finishing with 13 points despite the loss to the Steelers.

In the final week of the season, the Seahawks face the Cardinals, who have been average in points allowed to kickers this season. Arizona ranks dead last in defensive DVOA this season, and Seattle should not encounter any issues putting up points with their playoff hopes at stake. In the last three matchups, each kicker has scored at least eight points against Arizona. Myers is poised to continue this trend, making it four in a row in what promises to be a crucial game for Seattle.

Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) at Indianapolis Colts (7% Rostered)

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn returned from injury in Week 15 and has been on fire since. The 29-year-old has made all 13 of his kicks over the last three games, resulting in fantasy outputs of 17 in Week 15 and 16 in Week 17. The Browns defense limited Houston in between those impressive performances, and the blowout led to Fairbairn not getting a field goal attempt.

In Week 18, Houston faces the Colts, who have allowed the third-most points per game to kickers this season. In games at Indianapolis, only Chris Boswell has scored less than eight points, and that was in a game where the Steelers were blown out and playing from behind the whole time. The Texans offense picked up right where they left off with the return of C.J. Stroud, and Houston is in dire need of a win to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Brandon McManus (JAX) at Tennessee Titans (36% Rostered)

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus has experienced ups and downs throughout the season, but he appeared to be back on track in Week 17. The 32-year-old made all four field goals and two extra points, accumulating 14 fantasy points in the team's win over the Panthers. Following a challenging four-week stretch where the veteran went just one-for-five on field goals, McManus seemed more comfortable when the team needed him most.

In Week 18, the Jaguars face the Titans, who have allowed the most points per game to kickers this season. Despite recent struggles in offensive dynamics, Jacksonville has often had to rely on scoring field goals. With the AFC South title and a playoff spot on the line, the Jags will need every point they can get to advance. Considering the Titans rank 20th in defensive DVOA, Jacksonville should be able to move the ball effectively, providing McManus with another opportunity for a productive day.

Kickers to Avoid in Week 18

Fantasy players should always stream the kicker position. However, it’s important to avoid picking up and starting a kicker that will be a bust. Let’s see which two kickers you shouldn’t pick up off the waiver wire this week.

Nick Folk (TEN) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (17% Rostered)

Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk has had an impressive season, going 29-of-30 on field goals, including five makes from 50 or more yards. Despite his accuracy, the 39-year-old ranks just 19th among fantasy football kickers, mainly due to the inconsistent Titans' offense. Folk has gone eight straight games with fewer than 10 points, attempting multiple field goals only twice since Week 10.

In Week 18, the Titans face the Jaguars, who allow the fifth-fewest points per game to kickers this season. With a playoff berth at stake, the Jaguars' defense, ranked sixth in defensive DVOA, will be crucial for a win, especially with their injuries at quarterback. The Titans have struggled to move the ball recently. While Folk has been accurate, the lack of consistent opportunities makes him a less favorable option.

Riley Patterson (CLE) at Cincinnati Bengals (26% Rostered)

Cleveland Browns kicker Riley Patterson made his team debut in Week 17 after Dustin Hopkins suffered a hamstring injury on a kickoff return in Week 16. The former Lion made his only field goal attempt from 33 yards but missed an extra point in his debut. However, the team's offensive explosion led to a respectable six-point day.

In Week 18, the Browns face the Bengals, who are top-10 in points allowed to kickers this season. Despite this, the Browns are locked into the fifth seed and have nothing to play for in this game, indicating that many starters are likely to rest. The Browns already rank 25th in offensive DVOA, and with P.J. Walker or Jeff Driskel at quarterback and key players like Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and the offensive line potentially absent, it's unlikely to be an explosive day.

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