RADIO
Some weeks, kickers put up a ton of points and they win you a week. This week was not one of those, as the leading scorer after Sunday was Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater with 14 points in standard formats. Hopefully, things turn out better this week with a new slate of games and some high-scoring matchups.
We're also getting consistent fantasy starters back from their byes this week. Kicker is a position where the little details can make all the difference. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker hadn't missed an extra point in his career, but he missed one on Sunday because of the stadium design's effect on the wind.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!Four teams are on byes this week, and it's possible that any of Matt Bryant, Ryan Succop, Mike Badgley or Brett Maher was starting for you. Remember, don't be that guy. Start a good kicker that scores 15 points, then brag to the guy you beat about how your kicker outscored half of the guys on his team.
Week 8 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) @ BUF
2. Chris Boswell (PIT) vs CLE
3. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) vs GB
4. Mason Crosby (GB) @ LAR
5. Wil Lutz (NO) @ MIN
Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots has been one of the best kickers over the last 12 seasons. That will hold true against one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Buffalo Bills this week. Chris Boswell and the Pittsburgh Steelers are great at home, especially against the Cleveland Browns. This should be his big week. Greg Zuerlein and the Los Angeles Rams are about to face a defense that has struggled to get stops this year, but he should have plenty of opportunities to score points this week.
Across from Zuerlein will be Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers. A shootout is definitely in the cards. These could be the top two kickers in the week. Wil Lutz and the New Orleans Saints have been a perfect match over the past few seasons. Against a short-handed Minnesota Vikings defense, they have the possibility to rack up a ton of points this week.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Harrison Butker (KC) vs DEN
7. Brandon McManus (DEN) @KC
8. Dan Bailey (MIN) vs NO
9. Matt Prater (DET) vs SEA
10. Cody Parkey (CHI) vs NYJ
No matter the matchup, Harrison Butker and the Kansas City Chiefs are lighting up scoreboards. Against the Denver Broncos, that will continue. Brandon McManus of the Broncos is on this list because of their opponent this week. The Chiefs defense has struggled outside of last week, but it didn't look sustainable. Dan Bailey and the Vikings are being forced to score a lot of points. The third-most accurate kicker of all time is thriving and keeping his scoring going.
Matt Prater of the Detroit Lions is always a solid option. That will hold true against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. Cody Parkey and the Chicago Bears are turning into one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. If quarterback Mitch Trubisky is able to take care of the ball, Parkey will be in a frequent position to put points on the board.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Adam Vinatieri (IND) @ OAK*
12. Randy Bullock (CIN) vs TB
13. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs MIA
14. Dustin Hopkins (WAS) @ NYG
15. Jake Elliott (PHI) @ JAX
Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts is dealing with a groin injury. If he plays, he's a great choice. If he doesn't, slot his replacement for this week in his place. Randy Bullock and the Cincinnati Bengals came to earth this week, but they should bounce back against a soft Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. Ka'imi Fairbairn and the Houston Texans are working on getting their explosiveness back. A matchup against a fading Miami Dolphins should help his odds this week.
Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Redskins has been one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL this season. Against the New York Giants, that should continue in Week 8. Jake Elliott and the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Normally that would scare most people off, but they don't look right lately so he's a good option.
Kickers to Avoid
Josh Lambo of the Jacksonville Jaguars was a strong option to start the season, but he has fell victim to the struggling offense the past couple weeks. Until they get their groove back, he can't be played because they aren't scoring enough.
Stephen Hauschka and the Buffalo Bills have a brutal matchup against the Patriots this week. Until they get a competent quarterback, he has to be avoided because their offense isn't generating any points or movement.
Jason Myers of the New York Jets have played well this season, but they have a tough draw this week in the Chicago Bears. Their defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season, and they should play well against rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, which does not fair well for Myers.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
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