RADIO
Week 8 featured several high-scoring matchups, but there were far more touchdowns scored than field goals. As teams get better, defenses should start holding teams to kicking more field goals, which is good for kickers in fantasy.
When looking at the matchups for this week, there are quite a few games that figure to be very high scoring. Shootouts are fun to watch, and they lead to a lot of points for skill-position players, but kickers don't always feel the love in those situations.
Six teams are on byes this week, so it's important to check those as we get into the bye week thick of the season. However, there are four teams returning to help take their place. Kickers are interchangeable in the middle, but the top guys can make all the difference in a week.
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Week 9 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) @ NO
2. Wil Lutz (NO) vs LAR
3. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) vs GB
4. Harrison Butker (KC) @ CLE
5. Mason Crosby (GB) @ NE
Greg Zuerlein and the Los Angeles Rams are arguably the best offense in the NFL. Against a soft New Orleans Saints defense, he should be busy this week. Across from Zuerlein, Wil Lutz of the New Orleans Saints isn't too shabby either. This Saints offense continues to get better, which keeps Lutz a great play. Stephen Gostkowski and the New England Patriots are playing at home against a defense that consistently gives up a lot of points. He will be a good option as usual.
Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs has been one of the best kickers in the NFL this season, and, against the Cleveland Browns, he will continue to do that. The Chiefs are the best offense in football, and that isn't changing this week. Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers has shaken off his miserable week against the Detroit Lions earlier this season. In what should be a shootout against the Patriots, he will have another solid week.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Graham Gano (CAR) vs TB
7. Matt Bryant (ATL) @ WAS
8. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs PIT
9. Dan Bailey (MIN) vs DET
10. Cody Parkey (CHI) @ BUF
Graham Gano and the Carolina Panthers offense went off against the best defense in football in Week 8. Against a Tampa Bay defense that has struggled to stop anyone, he should score more than a few points. Assuming he plays, Matt Bryant of the Atlanta Falcons should be a great play. If he doesn't, insert his backup into this spot. Justin Tucker and the Baltimore Ravens got ran over in Week 8. They'll be trying to bounce back in Week 9 against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dan Bailey and the Minnesota Vikings were a match made in heaven. An accurate kicker with a great offense against a bad defense just makes him even better this week. Cody Parkey and the Chicago Bears didn't put up 30 points this week, but they had another solid game. Against the struggling Buffalo Bills, the Bears should score a few more points.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Chris Boswell (PIT) @ BAL
12. Chandler Catanzaro (TB) @ CAR
13. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ DEN
14. Dustin Hopkins (WAS) vs ATL
15. Mike Badgley (LAC) @ SEA
Chris Boswell and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is a nuclear bomb that is always ready to blow. Against the rival Ravens, they may not score a lot of touchdowns, but they should score some field goals. Chandler Catanzaro and the Buccaneers offense found a little magic late in the game last week, and that consistency will need to carry over next week. Ka'imi Fairbairn and the Houston Texans are starting to roll. In the thin Denver air, he is a good play this week.
Dustin Hopkins and the Washington Redskins have looked really good at times this season. Against the Atlanta Falcons defense, they should look much more good than bad. The Los Angeles Chargers have started to put it all together in recent weeks. Mike Badgley is a part of that, and he will enjoy the team's soft defensive matchup in the Seattle Seahawks.
Kickers to Avoid
Ryan Succop of the Tennessee Titans is falling victim to a struggling offense. While he is one of the best kickers in the NFL, he can't score points if the team doesn't move the ball. He needs to be avoided until the offense gets its act together.
Brandon McManus of the Denver Broncos draws a brutal matchup against the Houston Texans this week. While this unit still has some room to grow, they will enjoy facing quarterback Case Keenum who has struggled mightily to start the year.
Stephen Hauschka of the Buffalo Bills is at the mercy of his offense. The Bills just haven't been effective this season, and, against an elite Bears defense, that doesn't expect to change this week. Avoid Hauschka till next season.
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