RADIO
Week 7 is over, and a few things have changed. The Los Angeles Rams learned how to play offense again, and the New York Jets came back to Earth, among other things. Week 7 was an especially quiet week for kickers across the NFL.
A lot of kickers weren't able to get on the field for field goals because teams kept scoring touchdowns or getting stopped. For example, the Oakland Raiders were in the red zone on three occasions that ended with zero points. For some kickers, that can be their entire week.
In Week 8, we have just two teams on byes, and you're likely going to be without your kickers this week. The Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker along with Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher are both out this week. If you're like me, you'll be looking for a new kicker in a league or two this week.
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Week 8 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) vs CIN
2. Wil Lutz (NO) vs ARI
3. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs OAK
4. Josh Lambo (JAX) vs NYJ
5. Mason Crosby (GB) @ KC
Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein gets the top spot this week after he saw his offense come to life against the Atlanta Falcons. With a home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, he should keep things rolling. New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz is next for a couple of reasons. The Saints are 6-1 on the year, and quarterback Drew Brees could return. Even if he doesn't, this matchup against the Arizona Cardinals is a juicy one with a lot of points likely to go on the board for New Orleans.
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn is next up. His offense continues to put up points, and the Oakland Raiders just got shellacked by the Green Bay Packers. Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo gets the next spot because his offense struggles in the red zone, but they get him into field-goal range, which is all we need. Rounding out our top five is Packers kicker Mason Crosby. He saw the field a lot for extra points last week, but, on the road, Green Bay could struggle more in the red zone this week.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Matt Prater (DET) vs NYG
7. Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs DEN
8. Robbie Gould (SF) vs CAR
9. Jason Myers (SEA) @ ATL
10. Dan Bailey (MIN) vs WAS
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater is back in the rankings this week, and it's for good reason. He has a great matchup against an up-and-down New York Giants team. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri will be staying at home against a Denver Broncos team that has struggled with consistency all year, while the Colts have been essentially the same team every week. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould was the only player to score for the 49ers last week. That should change this week, but he should still have a steady workload.
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is next up. After a letdown game for the Seahawks against the Ravens in Week 7, they get their Dirty-Bird brethren Falcons in Week 8 to help the entire team get right. Rounding out the second tier is Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey. Bailey missed his lone field-goal attempt, but this offense is clicking. Against a bad Washington Redskins team, he should have more scoring opportunities.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Matt Gay (TB) @ TEN
12. Steven Hauschka (BUF) vs PHI
13. Harrison Butker (KC) vs GB
14. Mike Nugent (NE) vs CLE
15. Chris Boswell (PIT) vs MIA
Kicking off our third tier is Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay. The Buccaneers have been able to move the ball in just about every week, and, against a confusing Tennessee Titans team, that shouldn't change. Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka had a great week in Week 7, and his offense will be able to move the ball against a soft Philadelphia Eagles secondary. They could struggle in the red zone, which leads to more points for Hauschka.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker took a big tumble this week simply because quarterback Patrick Mahomes is likely out. He should still have some value due to the rest of the talent on offense, but it's not enough. New England Patriots kicker Mike Nugent is in because he's the Patriots kicker. The Cleveland Browns will be up for this game, but you just can't not believe in Nugent, or any Patriots kicker, having fantasy relevance. Rounding out this week's rankings is Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell. Pittsburgh is at home against the Miami Dolphins. What could go wrong right?
Kickers to Avoid
Austin Seibert of the Cleveland Browns just can't be trusted. This offense has been too inconsistent, and the Patriots Defense is playing lights out better than everyone else in the league. The Browns could surprise all of us, but I'm ok with being wrong about Seibert this week.
Chase McLaughlin plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, and they have been one of the most disappointing teams in the entire NFL. Due to injuries and other issues, they're tied for last in their division at 2-5. On the road against a strong Chicago Bears Defense, avoid McLaughlin this week.
Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Redskins is playing for one of the most inept franchises in football right now. They have quarterback issues, and they just fired their head coach after Week 6. Against a Vikings team that is rolling, do you trust him to put up any points?
More Weekly Lineup Prep
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