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Week 5 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.
Week 5 of the NFL season is here, and the offenses are starting to get even more in sync. Of the 15 games this week three different teams scored 40 or more points, including the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers combining for 95 points in a 55-40 final.
In Week 5, we'll be looking for the offenses to keep things rolling. We have a few games on the slate that should be very high scoring, and there is only one, Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans that has an over/under of less than 40. Points will continue to abound this week.
After we saw two teams on byes last week, we have two more this week. The Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins are heading to byes. Lions kicker Matt Prater was likely a starter for a number of you, so make sure he's out of your lineups.
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Week 5 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Josh Lambo (JAX) @ CAR
2. Justin Tucker (BAL) @ PIT
3. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) @ WAS
4. Dan Bailey (MIN) @ NYG
5. Wil Lutz (NO) vs TB
This week's top spot goes to the ever-consistent Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo. Lambo is kicking 100 percent on the year, and he's above 90 percent in each of the previous two seasons. Against the Carolina Panthers, field goals should be prevalent. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker climbs one spot in the rankings this week. Against a feisty Pittsburgh Steelers team, they could kick more field goals than they usually do.
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski slid a couple of spots, but he didn't go too far. The Patriots have beaten up on bad teams this year, and that will likely continue against the Washington Redskins this week. Dan Bailey of the Minnesota Vikings is next. Minnesota has struggled against good teams, but they move the ball against bottom-half teams. They should give chances to score this week. Wil Lutz of the New Orleans Saints gets the final spot. The Saints can move the ball, but they still bog down with quarterback Drew Brees on the mend.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) @ SEA
7. Matt Gay (TB) @ NO
8. Joey Slye (CAR) vs JAX
9. Ty Long (LAC) vs DEN
10. Brett Maher (DAL) vs GB
Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein saw a bump in his stock this week. If his offense keeps firing against a questionable Seattle Seahawks Defense, he should put points up on the board. Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay gets himself in the seven spot this week because his offense is coming to life. In the dome of New Orleans though, the offense could be less efficient at scoring touchdowns, which gives him more opportunities to kick field goals.
Panthers kicker Joey Slye is up next. He's been consistent all year, and, as long as quarterback Cam Newton is on the sideline, this offense will kick field goals over scoring touchdowns at times. Los Angeles Chargers kicker Ty Long is up next. While Michael Badgley (groin) remains sidelined with an injury. Long remains a consistent fantasy option, especially against a spiraling Denver Broncos team. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher is next. Dallas was slowed down by the Saints on Sunday night, but they can exploit the Green Bay Packers' weakness next week to get themselves into scoring range often.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Austin Seibert (CLE) @ SF
12. Robbie Gould (SF) vs CLE
13. Harrison Butker (KC) vs IND
14. Mason Crosby (GB) @ DAL
15. Jason Myers (SEA) vs LAR
Cleveland Browns kicker Austin Seibert is on a potent offense, as we saw on Sunday. Against a surprising San Francisco 49ers Defense, he may have more kicking opportunities in Week 5. Behind him is 49ers kicker Robbie Gould. Gould has been consistent for much of his career, and his offense may be clicking to the point he becomes a good fantasy option again. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is next. The Chiefs offense is potent, and, against a banged-up Indianapolis Colts Defense, they could score more touchdowns than field goals.
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is next. The offense seemed to come alive last week, but they still are struggling in the red zone, which bodes well for Crosby. Rounding out our Week 5 rankings is Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers. Myers and the Seahawks play in the Thursday night game, and it could be a shootout if both offenses are playing up to their potential.
Kickers to Avoid
Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Redskins is at the mercy of a rookie quarterback in the form of Dwayne Haskins. Haskins struggled mightily against the Giants, and the Patriots Defense is a completely different animal. A shutout could happen at home.
Cairo Santos of the Tennessee Titans scored a few points last week, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be as easy this week. The Buffalo Bills Defense held the Patriots to just 16 points, and six of those came on a blocked punt. They're a legit group, and the Titans have been a confusing group to figure out.
Daniel Carlson of the Oakland Raiders was part of the upset of the Indianapolis Colts last week, but they'll be playing against the Chicago Bears this week. This Bears Defense is starting to gel, and they'll be looking to win the physical battle against a smashmouth Raiders team.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
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