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Week 4 ranks, tiers and start/sit advice for fantasy football kickers. Gage Bridgford (@GBridgfordNFL) lists his weekly K rankings and players to avoid based on matchup, weather, and team context.
Let us all give thanks for Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri finally getting back to the successful kicking ways that we expect from him. Heading into Monday night's game, he was tied for third among kickers on the week with 10 points. It's good to see the legend get back on track.
In Week 4, we have some juicy matchups. Offenses are going to be playing teams that give up a lot of points, and, in some situations, we have offenses that are good enough to get to the red zone, but the defenses that they match up against will hold them out on occasion.
With Week 4, comes the first week where some NFL teams get the week off. This week sees the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers getting some early rest. While you may not have Sam Ficken from the Jets, Robbie Gould of the 49ers could easily have been in your lineups and needs replacing.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!
Week 4 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) @ BUF
2. Harrison Butker (KC) @ DET
3. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs CLE
4.Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs OAK
5. Mason Crosby (GB) vs PHI
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski gets this week's top spot thanks to playing on arguably the league's best offense through three weeks, and they go on the road to play one of the better defenses that could force some field goals. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gets the number two spot. Butker and the Chiefs continue to roll over just about everyone in their path. He's a top-five option every single week.
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was quiet in Week 3 due to his offense opting for more 2-point attempts over extra-point tries. In Week 4, they head home to take on the beaten up Cleveland Browns where Tucker should get plenty of scoring tries. Vinatieri gets the four spot. His offense looked legit in Week 3, and the Oakland Raiders aren't going to be slowing them down. For the first time this season, Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is in the top five. The offense is improving, but it still bogs down at times to leave them in field goal range where Crosby is knocking them through.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs CAR
7. Josh Lambo (JAX) @ DEN
8. Ty Long (LAC) @ MIA
9. Zane Gonzalez (ARI) vs SEA
10. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) vs TB
Houston Texans kicker Ka'Imi Fairbairn leads off the second tier because, even though the defense is struggling, the offense is beginning to fire on all cylinders. Josh Lambo of the Jacksonville Jaguars gets the next spot. Kicking in Denver is always favorable, and the Jaguars are finding ways to move the ball with quarterback Gardner Minshew under center. Los Angeles Chargers kicker Ty Long gets the next spot. The Chargers are playing the Miami Dolphins, and they are going to put up points. Need any more explanation?
Zane Gonzalez of the Arizona Cardinals is playing an offense that isn't very efficient, but they moving the ball a lot. That means more possessions and more scoring opportunities for him at home against an explosive Seattle Seahawks team. In the 10-spot, Greg Zuerlein of the Los Angeles Rams finds his home. The Rams offense has been cut down in a major way this season as opposed to last year, but, at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they'll find ways to move the ball.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Joey Slye (CAR) @ HOU
12. Brett Maher (DAL) @ NO
13. Matt Prater (DET) vs KC
14. Wil Lutz (NO) vs DAL
15. Randy Bullock (CIN) @ PIT
Carolina Panthers Joey Slye just watched his quarterback Kyle Allen slice and dice the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 4, they have a matchup that could turn into a shootout and a lot of points. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher hasn't gotten a ton of field goal work so far this year because the offense has been rolling. Against a tough New Orleans Saints Defense, that should change, but he should be on the field with some frequency.
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater finds his way into the rankings. The Chiefs Defense still can't stop anybody, which means that Prater will be on the field often. Wil Lutz of the Saints is next up. They'll be at home in a prime time game. If they can't score touchdowns, they'll get into field goal range. Sneaking into the rankings is Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock. The Bengals offense has found ways to move the ball every week, and, facing a spiraling Pittsburgh Steelers team, he has a lot of upside.
Kickers to Avoid
Dan Bailey of the Minnesota Vikings is just in a matchup that doesn't look all that appetizing. The Chicago Bears have a fearsome front, and that rattled quarterback Kirk Cousins two weeks ago. This could be a defensive slugfest all day.
Brandon McManus of the Denver Broncos finds himself on the list this week because his offense can't figure out how to consistently move the football. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he'll have fewer opportunities to get on the field and score points.
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a top-15 lock every week that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) was healthy. With him, out and quarterback Mason Rudolph struggling with consistency, he should just be avoided until further notice.
